In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the choice between Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has become a critical decision for organizations. As remote work and cloud-based services gain prominence, businesses are reevaluating their network security strategies to protect sensitive data and ensure seamless operations. The SASE vs VPN comparison has emerged as a pivotal topic in network security discussions, with each solution offering unique advantages and potential drawbacks.

This article delves into the key differences between SASE and traditional VPNs, examining their impact on modern security practices, performance, and user experience. We’ll explore the benefits of SASE over VPNs, analyze their respective security models, and consider factors such as scalability and cost-effectiveness. By the end, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of both solutions, enabling them to make an informed decision on which approach best suits their organization’s needs in the era of distributed workforces and cloud-centric environments.

The Rise of Distributed Workforces

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, with a significant portion of the workforce now operating from home. During that time, 57% of employed Americans reported that their employer offered them flex time or remote work options. This shift has brought about both benefits and challenges for organizations and employees alike.

While remote work offers increased flexibility and potential cost savings, it also presents unique obstacles in terms of communication, collaboration, and maintaining a strong company culture. Remote employees may face distractions from family members, children, or pets, as well as feelings of isolation and loneliness. Managers must adapt their leadership strategies to effectively support and engage their remote teams.

Challenges of Remote Work

One of the primary challenges of managing virtual teams is maintaining clear communication and collaboration. In a recent study by Buffer, 20.5% of remote workers cited keeping up with communication and collaboration as their biggest struggle. Without face-to-face interactions, misinterpretations, lack of visual cues, and communication delays can hinder productivity and teamwork.

Remote employees also face the risk of social isolation, with workplaces often serving as a significant social outlet. Loneliness and isolation can lead to issues such as burnout, sleep problems, and even substance abuse. Managers must prioritize regular team-building activities and create opportunities for casual, social conversation to combat these challenges.

Need for Secure Access

As remote work becomes more prevalent, organizations must ensure that their employees have secure access to company data and resources. Traditional remote access methods, such as dial-up modems, have evolved to leverage public networks over the internet. However, these methods often lack the necessary security measures to protect sensitive information from interception or tampering.

The rise of distributed workforces has also increased the attack surface for cybercriminals. Remote employees may use personal devices or unsecured home networks to access corporate systems, putting critical enterprise data at risk. Common remote work security threats include phishing attacks, distributed denial of service, remote desktop account attacks, and the bypass of multifactor authentication.

Limitations of Traditional Solutions

Traditional remote access solutions, such as hardware firewalls, have limitations in securing remote workforces. These firewalls are typically installed at the perimeter of an organization’s network, protecting against external threats. However, remote workers operate outside this physical boundary, connecting through home networks, coffee shop Wi-Fi, or public hotspots, bypassing the organization’s hardware firewall entirely.

Moreover, hardware firewalls lack visibility and control over remote workers’ home networks, making it difficult to detect and prevent threats originating from their devices or environment. Scalability is another challenge, as deploying, managing, and scaling on-premises firewalls requires significant upfront capital costs and ongoing investments in hardware and operations teams.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are another common remote access solution, but they also have limitations. While VPNs provide encryption and secure tunnels, they do not offer comprehensive protection against all types of cyber threats, such as malware or phishing attacks that target users directly ^[3]. Additionally, backhauling traffic from the VPN to the on-prem firewall is inefficient, leading to increased latency and poor user experience.

As organizations adapt to the new reality of distributed workforces, they must reevaluate their network security strategies to effectively protect sensitive data and ensure seamless operations. The rise of remote work has exposed the limitations of traditional remote access solutions, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and scalable approach to securing remote workforces.

SASE: A New Paradigm in Network Security

SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, is a cloud-native architecture that converges network and security functions into a unified, global cloud-based service. This approach enables businesses to deliver secure access to applications and data from anywhere, while protecting their digital assets from cyber threats.

SASE represents a significant shift from traditional network security models, which often rely on a secure perimeter to protect the network. Instead, SASE adopts a decentralized approach, integrating networking and security capabilities into a single cloud service that can be delivered to any location.

SASE Core Principles

SASE is built on several core principles that distinguish it from traditional network security architectures:

1. Identity-Driven: SASE enforces access policies based on user and device identity, ensuring that only authorized individuals and devices can access network resources.
2. Cloud-Native: SASE leverages the power and flexibility of the cloud to deliver security and networking services, enabling organizations to scale their services as needed.
3. Globally Distributed: SASE provides secure access to applications and data from anywhere in the world, thanks to its globally distributed network of points of presence (PoPs).

SASE Architecture

The SASE architecture combines several key technologies to deliver a comprehensive security solution:

• Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): Provides optimized and secure connectivity between users, devices, and applications.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Delivers advanced Layer 7 inspection, access control, and threat prevention capabilities.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Enables secure remote access to applications based on granular access policies.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Secures access to cloud applications and enforces data protection policies.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Filters web traffic and protects against web-based threats.

These technologies work together to provide a unified security posture, with consistent policies applied across all users, devices, and applications.

SASE Benefits

SASE offers numerous benefits over traditional network security approaches ^[7]:

1. Simplified Management: SASE consolidates multiple security and networking functions into a single platform, reducing complexity and streamlining management.
2. Improved Performance: By inspecting traffic at the nearest PoP, SASE minimizes latency and improves the user experience.
3. Enhanced Security: SASE’s identity-driven policies and integrated security services provide a more comprehensive and effective security posture.
4. Increased Agility: SASE’s cloud-native architecture enables organizations to quickly adapt to changing business needs and scale their services as required.

As organizations increasingly rely on cloud services and remote work, SASE provides a modern, flexible, and secure approach to network security that can help businesses stay ahead of evolving threats while enabling seamless access to applications and data from anywhere.

VPN: The Traditional Approach

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been the traditional approach to secure remote access for businesses. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a remote network, allowing secure access to internal applications and data.

VPNs work by masking the user’s real IP address and location, making their online activity more private. The encryption provided by VPNs helps protect sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers from hackers, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

There are two main types of business VPNs: remote access VPNs and site-to-site VPNs. Remote access VPNs allow individual users to securely connect to a company’s internal network, while site-to-site VPNs create a single virtual network shared across multiple office locations.

VPN Advantages and Limitations

VPNs offer several advantages for businesses, such as:

1. Affordable security compared to hardware firewalls and intrusion protection software
2. Efficient data flows by preventing ISP throttling
3. Secure connectivity for remote workers
4. Flexible security for every device and setting

However, VPNs also have limitations that businesses should consider:

1. Security risks if an attacker gains access to VPN credentials
2. Latency penalties due to extra steps in the connection process
3. Complexities with cloud and hybrid cloud environments
4. Mounting costs for hardware replacement and capacity upgrades
5. Significant management time for installation, updates, and maintenance

While VPNs have been a popular choice for securing remote access, their limitations have become more apparent as businesses increasingly rely on cloud services and remote work. As a result, many organizations are reevaluating their network security strategies and considering alternative solutions like SASE to address the challenges posed by VPNs in the modern business environment.

Security Model Comparison

When it comes to securing modern IT environments, the choice between SASE and traditional VPNs ultimately boils down to their underlying security models. SASE adopts a zero trust approach, while VPNs rely on perimeter-based security. Understanding the differences between these two models is crucial in determining which solution best fits your organization’s security needs.

SASE’s Zero Trust Approach

SASE incorporates the principles of zero trust, assuming that no user, device, or network traffic is inherently trustworthy. Instead, SASE requires strict identity verification, least-privileged access, and continuous monitoring and analysis of network traffic to ensure that only authorized users have access to the resources they need.

The zero trust model operates on the assumption that threats can come from both outside and within the network perimeter. It negates the idea of a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, treating all access requests with equal scrutiny.

By adopting a zero trust approach, SASE can effectively mitigate the risks associated with insider threats. The principle of least privilege ensures that users only have access to the resources necessary for their job functions, minimizing the potential damage caused by compromised credentials or malicious insiders.

VPN’s Perimeter-Based Security

In contrast to SASE’s zero trust model, VPNs rely on perimeter-based security. This approach assumes that everything inside the network is trusted, while everything outside is untrusted. Once a user gains access to the network through a VPN, they are often granted broad access to resources within the network.

The weakness of perimeter-based security lies in its lack of control over resources once a bad actor has penetrated the network. Exposed IP addresses can be easily exploited by attackers, allowing them to move laterally across the network, find valuable data, and exfiltrate it.

Moreover, VPNs struggle to keep pace with the growing complexity of modern IT environments. As workforces become more distributed and applications move to the cloud, the concept of a network perimeter becomes increasingly blurred, making it difficult for VPNs to provide adequate security.

Addressing Insider Threats

One of the key advantages of SASE’s zero trust approach is its ability to address insider threats effectively. By enforcing strict identity verification and least-privileged access, SASE ensures that users only have access to the resources they need, reducing the risk of data breaches caused by compromised credentials or malicious insiders.

In contrast, VPNs’ perimeter-based security model is less effective at mitigating insider threats. Once a user gains access to the network, they often have broad access to resources, making it easier for insiders to cause damage or exfiltrate sensitive data.

Aspect	SASE	VPN
Security Model	Zero Trust	Perimeter-Based
Access Control	Strict identity verification and least-privileged access	Broad access once inside the network
Insider Threat Mitigation	Effective due to least-privileged access	Less effective due to broad access
Scalability	Designed for modern, distributed IT environments	Struggles with growing complexity and blurred network perimeters

In summary, SASE’s zero trust approach offers a more robust and scalable security model compared to VPNs’ perimeter-based security. By addressing insider threats, enforcing least-privileged access, and adapting to the growing complexity of modern IT environments, SASE provides organizations with a comprehensive security solution that meets the challenges of today’s digital landscape.

Performance and User Experience

SASE’s cloud-native architecture optimizes network traffic and connectivity by dynamically routing traffic across the most efficient paths to improve performance and reduce latency. This is especially beneficial for latency-sensitive applications like VoIP, video, and collaborative tools.

SASE’s Optimized Routing

SASE providers optimize and route traffic through high-performance backbones they have negotiated with carriers and peering partners. By implementing a single-pass design for all security tasks within a single PoP, SASE increases performance by avoiding unnecessary routing. Depending on its implementation, SASE can reduce the number of applications and agents needed for a device to just one app while providing a consistent user experience regardless of location or resource accessed.

VPN Latency Challenges

Traditional VPNs often struggle with latency issues, especially when they become overloaded. Backhauling traffic from the VPN to the on-prem firewall is inefficient, leading to increased latency and poor user experience. VPNs also lack the ability to optimize traffic routing based on network conditions, which can further impact performance.

Impact on Application Performance

SASE’s application performance monitoring (APM) capabilities ensure that applications running on the network are responsive and deliver a smooth user experience. By tracking various performance indicators such as response times, page load times, and transaction speeds, SASE can identify and address performance issues proactively.

In contrast, VPNs may not provide comprehensive insights into application performance, making it challenging to identify and resolve issues that affect user experience.

Aspect	SASE	VPN
Network Optimization	Dynamically routes traffic for optimal performance	Limited ability to optimize traffic routing
Latency	Reduces latency through efficient routing and single-pass security	Can introduce latency due to inefficient backhauling and overloading
Application Performance	Provides APM capabilities for proactive issue resolution	Limited visibility into application performance
User Experience	Consistent experience across locations and devices	Inconsistent experience due to performance issues

SASE’s ability to optimize network performance, reduce latency, and ensure a seamless user experience across various applications and devices sets it apart from traditional VPNs. By leveraging cloud-native architecture, efficient routing, and application performance monitoring, SASE delivers a superior user experience while maintaining robust security measures.

Scalability in a Dynamic Business Environment

SASE’s cloud-native architecture enables businesses to scale their network security solutions quickly and efficiently, accommodating the dynamic needs of modern enterprises. As organizations expand their remote workforces and embrace cloud services, SASE offers a flexible and scalable alternative to traditional VPN solutions.

SASE’s Cloud-Native Flexibility

SASE leverages the power and flexibility of the cloud to deliver security and networking services, enabling organizations to scale their services as needed. This cloud-native approach allows businesses to add branch offices to existing SASE architecture quickly and reliably, minimizing the need for network hardware and simplifying the process of deploying, configuring, and maintaining security measures.

VPN’s Hardware Constraints

In contrast, VPNs often struggle to keep pace with the growing complexity of modern IT environments. As workforces become more distributed and applications move to the cloud, the concept of a network perimeter becomes increasingly blurred, making it difficult for VPNs to provide adequate security. Scaling VPN infrastructure requires significant investments in hardware, such as VPN infrastructure, last-mile network links, security systems, and system redundancy.

Supporting Business Growth

SASE’s ability to scale dynamically supports the agility and flexibility that are becoming differentiators for business success. As organizations search for solutions to allow fast and secure remote user connections to enterprise networks, SASE has proven to be the future of connecting businesses with locations and employees worldwide.

The SASE market size is expected to reach $5.9 billion by 2028, with an annual compound growth rate of over 10% ^[20]. This growth is driven by the need for secure connections in remote and hybrid office environments, as businesses adapt to the new reality of distributed workforces.

Aspect	SASE	VPN
Scalability	Cloud-native architecture enables rapid scaling	Requires significant hardware investments
Flexibility	Accommodates dynamic business needs	Struggles with growing complexity of IT environments
Business Growth	Supports agility and flexibility for business success	Limited ability to adapt to distributed workforces

In summary, SASE’s cloud-native flexibility and scalability make it a compelling choice for businesses looking to secure their networks in a dynamic business environment. As organizations continue to prioritize agility and adapt to the challenges of remote work, SASE is well-positioned to support their growth and evolving security needs.

Cost Analysis: SASE vs VPN

When evaluating SASE and VPN solutions, it’s crucial to consider the financial implications of each approach. While both solutions aim to provide secure remote access, their cost structures and long-term financial impact can vary significantly.

SASE’s Consolidated Pricing Model

SASE offers a consolidated pricing model that can lead to significant cost savings for organizations. By combining multiple security and networking functions into a single platform, SASE eliminates the need to purchase and maintain separate point solutions. This consolidation not only simplifies management but also reduces capital and operational expenses.

Moreover, SASE’s cloud-native architecture enables organizations to scale their services as needed, without the need for significant upfront investments in hardware and infrastructure. This flexibility allows businesses to pay for only the resources they consume, leading to more predictable and cost-effective pricing.

VPN’s Multiple Solution Costs

In contrast, traditional VPN solutions often require organizations to invest in multiple point products to achieve the same level of functionality as SASE. This approach can lead to higher costs, as businesses must purchase, deploy, and maintain separate solutions for networking, security, and remote access.

VPNs also rely on on-premises hardware, which can be costly to acquire, maintain, and scale. As remote workforces grow and network demands increase, organizations may need to invest in additional VPN concentrators, licenses, and network access control capacity, further driving up costs.

ROI Considerations

When evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of SASE and VPN solutions, it’s essential to consider both the short-term and long-term financial impact. While VPNs may appear less expensive initially, SASE can offer significant cost savings over time by eliminating the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance.

A recent study by Forrester Consulting found that a large enterprise can expect a return on investment of up to 270% by deploying a SASE solution. This ROI is driven by factors such as reduced risk, accelerated cloud and digital transformation, and overall cost reduction.

Aspect	SASE	VPN
Pricing Model	Consolidated, cloud-native	Multiple point solutions
Scalability	Pay-as-you-go, flexible	Requires hardware investments
Long-term Costs	Lower due to elimination of on-premises hardware	Higher due to ongoing maintenance and scaling
ROI	Up to 270% for large enterprises	Lower due to multiple solution costs

In summary, while the initial costs of SASE may seem higher than traditional VPNs, the long-term financial benefits of a consolidated, cloud-native solution can be substantial. By carefully evaluating the cost structures and ROI potential of each approach, organizations can make informed decisions that align with their business goals and budget constraints.

Conclusion

The comparison between SASE and VPN solutions sheds light on the evolving landscape of network security. SASE’s cloud-native approach, with its ability to adapt to modern business needs, has a significant impact on security, performance, and cost-effectiveness. Its zero-trust model and optimized routing provide a robust defense against cyber threats while enhancing user experience. On the other hand, VPNs, despite their long-standing use, face challenges in scaling and securing increasingly complex IT environments.

To wrap up, the choice between SASE and VPN ultimately depends on an organization’s specific needs and priorities. While VPNs may still be suitable for some scenarios, SASE’s comprehensive security model and scalability make it a compelling option for businesses looking to secure their networks in a dynamic, cloud-centric world. As companies continue to adapt to remote work and digital transformation, the flexibility and efficiency offered by SASE solutions are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of network security.