The rise of remote workflows and distributed teams has accelerated a shift away from traditional network defenses like VPNs. Businesses increasingly rely on complex frameworks like SASE, ZTNA, and other cloud-native models to improve security posture and eliminate cloud vulnerabilities.
These options are powerful, but it can be hard to understand how they relate and which is the right fit for your organization’s goals and infrastructure. Zero Trust network access (ZTNA) is just one element of security access service edge (SASE), and together these frameworks can have a big impact on network security.
Let’s talk about how these models work, discuss their similarities and differences, learn how they’re connected, and explore the benefits they offer for modern enterprises.
What Is SASE?
Security access service edge is a cloud-based networking and security framework that combines multiple services into a unified platform. Gartner coined the term in 2019, and positioned it as a solution for business with needs unmet by traditional cybersecurity models.
SASE shifts the focal point of security operations from data centers to end users and their devices. It achieves this by integrating software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) with several other functionalities, such as:
- Zero Trust network access (ZTNA): In SASE, Zero Trust is a method for enforcing least-privilege security, by only allowing users to access authorized resources.
- Firewall as a service (FWaaS): This is a cloud-based firewall that provides centralized protection without the need for physical hardware.
- Cloud access security broker (CASB): With this technology, you get a tool that sits at the network edge to enforce security policies and prevent unauthorized data exfiltration.
- Secure web gateway (SWG): This platform monitors and filters web or network traffic to enforce policies, block malicious websites, and track online activity.
This unified approach works by placing security functions closer to the network edge and users. This reduces the degree of separation, while increasing protections by filtering network traffic through a unified cloud-native security platform.
What Is ZTNA?
Zero Trust network access is one of the main components of SASE. This security framework implements and enforces safeguards by trusting no user or device implicitly and always verifying access. Unlike traditional VPNs, which provide broad network access once authenticated, ZTNA grants granular permissions across different applications.
ZTNA follows the core principles of least privilege and microsegmentation, looking beyond identity authentication to continuously verify device health and identify risk factors. These authentication practices are upheld even at the network edge, and can shrink your attack surface and contain breaches.
ZTNA vs. SASE: What Is the Difference?
While both solutions follow a Zero Trust model, they operate at different levels in a company’s security architecture. SASE is a broad networking and security model that integrates multiple solutions into a single cloud-native platform.
ZTNA is just one component of SASE, focused primarily on identity and access security. It’s the technical solution that enforces the Zero Trust security model throughout the entire SASE framework.
Here are some other differences between a simple Zero Trust approach and a comprehensive SASE model:
- Integration: ZTNA focuses on securing users and devices that require remote access to a network, while SASE integrates network security into its broader cloud-based services.
- Visibility: ZTNA only offers visibility into user and application interactions. SASE provides information about traffic and usage across the entire network.
- Security workflows: ZTNA operates on the Zero Trust principle, relying on continuous authentication and restricted access. SASE begins with this baseline, but applies its other cloud-native solutions as needed to put focus and resources into vulnerable areas.
- Scope: ZTNA is typically included with other strategies for holistic security management, while SASE is a way to get comprehensive coverage in a single package.
How Are SASE and ZTNA Connected?
Because ZTNA is one of the core building blocks of SASE, these security frameworks have several similarities. Here are some points of connection between Zero Trust versus SASE:
- Alignment with the Zero Trust model: Both SASE and ZTNA require authentication for every request because they follow the Zero Trust model.
- Integration with cloud-native strategies: SASE and ZTNA support digital transformation by extending protections to cloud-first and hybrid infrastructures.
- Identity-driven authentication: Both of these models place identity at the center of their access controls, and require continuous verification.
- Security at the network edge: SASE and ZTNA each extend security services to endpoints and branch offices, providing more consistent security across distributed teams and locations.
- Microsegmentation: These frameworks employ segmentation strategies to limit unauthorized access and movement within a network.
What Are the Benefits of Implementing SASE and Zero Trust?
By implementing both SASE and ZTNA security solutions, your organization can strengthen its defenses and overall cloud infrastructure. Your configurations and existing tech stack will affect the exact benefits you receive, but there are some general advantages most teams can expect from using these frameworks.
More Effective Security Management
Centralized security management with a unified solution reduces the number of tools your team has to use daily. This cuts down on the subscriptions and related costs IT departments often take on to manage multiple layers of security. Fewer tools can also lead to more streamlined processes and improved visibility into your organization's security (because data isn’t spread out in various silos).
Better Network Efficiency
Consolidating multiple security features into one platform is a great way to lower latency and improve overall performance. SASE often includes SD-WAN tools that can intelligently route traffic based on application requirements and network conditions. ZTNA complements this by streamlining access and making sure each network connection is secure and optimized.
Simplified Compliance
Both the SASE and ZTNA frameworks facilitate regulatory compliance through comprehensive audit trails, granular access controls, and automated security policy enforcement. The Zero Trust model is also compatible with the level of restriction needed for highly regulated industries, such as financial institutions and healthcare facilities.
Complement SASE and ZTNA With Legit Security
DevOps teams can implement security at the development level by using Legit Security’s AI-powered tools. Legit complements SASE and ZTNA by monitoring your software development lifecycle from code to cloud and enforcing robust security policies. Its tools help your team secure code right from the start, while also reducing your attack surface and risk exposure.
Request a demo today, and see how Legit can help you achieve continuous compliance and a more resilient security framework.
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