Secure Your Business From Anywhere.
SASE brings networking and security together so employees, branches, devices and applications can connect securely without relying on a traditional office perimeter.
DriveTech helps businesses evaluate SASE, SD-WAN, SSE, ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, DLP, DNS security and secure cloud access around the way their business actually works.
Networking And Security In One Cloud-Delivered Architecture.
Secure Access Service Edge, commonly called SASE, is an architecture that converges networking and security capabilities so organizations can provide secure access to users, devices, branches and applications from different locations.
Instead of operating separate networking and security point products with disconnected policies, SASE can bring those functions together through a cloud-delivered architecture and centralized policy.
Why Businesses Start Looking At SASE.
SASE is usually not purchased because a business wants another technology. It is evaluated because the old network and security architecture is creating operational, security or performance problems.
VPN Is Becoming A Bottleneck
Remote employees may need application-specific access without sending all traffic through a traditional VPN and office gateway.
Too Many Security Products
Separate firewalls, VPNs, proxies, web filters and cloud controls can create multiple consoles and disconnected policies.
Employees Work Everywhere
Users may work from offices, homes, hotels, airports, customer sites and mobile environments.
Cloud Applications Are Everywhere
SaaS and cloud applications change where business traffic travels and how access policies need to be enforced.
Branches Are Hard To Secure
Multiple offices, stores and facilities can require consistent connectivity and security without complex backhauling.
Internet Backhaul Hurts Performance
Forcing cloud and internet traffic through a central data center can add unnecessary network paths and latency.
Guest & IoT Devices
Businesses need to control access for unmanaged devices, IoT, BYOD and guest users.
Security Policy Is Inconsistent
Different branches and remote environments can end up with different security rules and configurations.
IT Cannot See The Full Path
Network performance and application problems can be difficult to troubleshoot when visibility is spread across multiple tools.
Security Slows The Business
Security controls should protect users without unnecessarily degrading access to cloud and business applications.
AI & GenAI Applications
Businesses increasingly need visibility and policy around employee and automated access to AI services and data.
Security Costs Are Fragmented
Multiple appliances, licenses, support agreements and security services make the true operating cost difficult to understand.
Solve The Business Problem. Then Choose The Architecture.
SASE is not a magic product. The value comes from matching networking, security and access controls to the business environment.
Remote users need secure access.
Traditional VPN may provide broad network access when the employee really needs access to only one or two applications.
Identity-aware application access with user, device and context policies.
Branch traffic is inefficient.
Branches may depend on centralized network backhaul before reaching cloud applications.
Application-aware routing across available WAN and internet paths.
Web traffic is difficult to control.
Employees access the internet from multiple locations and devices.
Cloud-delivered web security and policy enforcement for users wherever they connect.
SaaS usage is hard to control.
Cloud applications can create visibility, access and data governance challenges.
Cloud application visibility and policy controls for SaaS usage.
Branch firewalls are expensive to manage.
Every new location may require hardware, configuration, security subscriptions and ongoing maintenance.
Evaluate cloud-delivered firewall and security services where they make architectural and commercial sense.
IT lacks end-to-end visibility.
Network, security and application performance data may live in separate tools.
Centralized policy, logs, analytics and digital experience monitoring can simplify troubleshooting.
What Makes A SASE Architecture?
Current SASE architectures commonly combine networking with cloud-delivered security capabilities. The exact feature set and packaging differs by platform.
Software-Defined WAN
Provides software-driven traffic steering and application-aware connectivity across branches, internet, cloud and data centers.
- Application-aware routing
- Multiple WAN paths
- Traffic steering
- Branch connectivity
- WAN optimization options
Zero Trust Network Access
Provides controlled application access based on identity, device and context instead of simply trusting network location.
- Identity-based access
- Application-level access
- Device posture
- Least privilege
- Remote workforce
Secure Web Gateway
Provides cloud-delivered inspection and policy controls for web traffic and internet access.
- Web filtering
- URL policy
- Threat protection
- Malicious site blocking
- Remote user security
Cloud Access Security Broker
Helps provide visibility and policy controls around cloud and SaaS application usage.
- SaaS visibility
- Cloud application policy
- Shadow IT visibility
- Data controls
- Cloud access governance
Firewall-as-a-Service
Delivers firewall capabilities through cloud-based security enforcement instead of relying solely on local appliances.
- Cloud firewall
- Security policies
- Traffic inspection
- Branch protection
- Remote security
DNS Security
Adds policy and security controls to DNS traffic and can help prevent connections to known malicious destinations.
- DNS filtering
- Threat intelligence
- Malicious domain control
- Policy enforcement
- Remote protection
Data Loss Prevention
Helps apply policies around sensitive information moving through web, cloud and other access channels.
- Data classification
- Policy enforcement
- Cloud data protection
- Web data controls
- Compliance support
Remote Browser Isolation
Isolates browser activity from local endpoints in architectures that support browser isolation.
- Browser isolation
- Web threat reduction
- Remote browsing
- Untrusted websites
- Endpoint protection
Digital Experience Monitoring
Helps IT understand application and user experience across network paths and access environments.
- Application visibility
- User experience
- Path performance
- Latency analysis
- Troubleshooting
One Access Journey. Multiple Security Decisions.
Instead of assuming that a user is trusted because they are connected to an office network, a SASE architecture can evaluate identity, device, application and security policy along the access path.
Where SASE Can Solve Real Business Problems.
SASE is especially relevant when users, branches and applications are distributed across locations and traditional perimeter-based networking becomes difficult to operate.
Secure Work From Anywhere
Give remote employees controlled access to private applications and secure internet access without requiring every workflow to depend on the traditional office network.
Connect Branches Securely
Combine SD-WAN connectivity and cloud security for offices, stores, clinics, warehouses and distributed locations.
Secure SaaS Access
Apply cloud security controls to users accessing Microsoft 365, SaaS platforms, business applications and other cloud services.
Office + Home + Cloud
Create security policies that follow users and applications instead of relying entirely on the physical office perimeter.
Control Unmanaged Devices
Evaluate identity-aware and device-aware access models for contractors, guests and employee-owned devices.
Govern Modern Application Access
Modern SASE platforms increasingly provide controls and visibility for AI applications, data movement and automated workflows.
Why Businesses Evaluate SASE.
SASE can change both the technical architecture and the way networking and security are operated.
Reduce Tool Sprawl
Converge multiple networking and security functions where the architecture supports it.
Consistent Policy
Apply security and access policies across users, devices, branches and applications.
Anywhere Access
Support users outside the traditional office network while maintaining security controls.
Cloud-First Security
Deliver security closer to cloud applications and distributed users.
Better WAN Control
Use application-aware routing and multiple network paths where appropriate.
Centralized Visibility
Bring network, security and experience information together through centralized management capabilities.
Support Growth
New users, branches and applications can be incorporated into a common architecture.
Operational Efficiency
A converged architecture can reduce duplicated configuration and simplify troubleshooting.
More Than Just SD-WAN.
A true SASE architecture can involve networking, access, threat protection, data security and visibility.
Identity can become a core part of access decisions.
Security policy can consider device state and posture.
Control and inspect internet access through cloud security.
Improve visibility and policy around cloud applications.
Apply controls to sensitive data moving through access paths.
Security services can inspect traffic and identify threats.
Control remote access to internal business applications.
Identify where network and application experience problems occur.
SASE vs Traditional Network Security Models.
SASE is not automatically the right architecture for every business. The comparison should consider users, branches, applications, WAN, security requirements and existing infrastructure.
| Architecture | Primary Approach | Best Fit Scenarios | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Firewall + VPN | Perimeter security + network-level remote access | Single-site or traditional environments | Can require backhaul and broader network access |
| SD-WAN | Software-defined WAN connectivity | Branch and multi-location networking | Security capabilities vary by architecture and platform |
| SSE | Cloud-delivered security services | Remote users, cloud and application access | Does not by itself represent the full networking side of SASE |
| ZTNA | Identity-aware application access | Remote users and private applications | Focused on secure access rather than full WAN architecture |
| SASE | Networking + cloud-delivered security | Distributed users, branches and cloud applications | Requires architecture, migration and commercial planning |
You Don't Have To Replace Everything At Once.
A SASE transformation can be phased. Businesses can evaluate their current WAN, VPN, firewall, web security, cloud access and identity architecture before deciding what should change first.
Current State
Map WAN, firewalls, VPN, users, devices, cloud applications and branches.
Business Requirements
Define performance, security, remote access, application and operational requirements.
Architecture
Determine whether SD-WAN, SSE, ZTNA or broader SASE capabilities are required.
Pilot
Test selected users, applications, locations and traffic paths before wider deployment.
Migration
Move workloads, branches or user groups in controlled phases while maintaining business continuity.
Optimize
Review policy, performance, licensing, visibility and operational results after deployment.
Compare SASE Platforms Around Your Requirements.
SASE is available through different platform architectures, security models and commercial approaches. DriveTech can help identify which technology categories are relevant before comparing specific options.
SASE / SSE Platforms
Integrated networking, security and secure-access platforms
Cisco
Fortinet
Palo Alto Networks
Zscaler
Netskope
Cato Networks
Versa Networks
Cloudflare
Check Point
Aryaka
iboss
ForcepointSD-WAN & Secure Networking
Branch connectivity, application routing and secure WAN
Cisco
Fortinet
Palo Alto Networks
Versa Networks
Cato Networks
HPE Aruba Networking
Juniper Networks
Extreme NetworksZero Trust & Security Service Edge
ZTNA, SWG, CASB, DLP, DNS security and secure application access
Zscaler
Netskope
Cloudflare
Cisco Secure Access
Fortinet
Check Point
Palo Alto Networks
ForcepointUnderstand The Real Cost Before You Move.
SASE pricing is usually more complex than a simple monthly “internet price.” Licensing can depend on users, devices, bandwidth, features, locations, security services and contract terms.
User-Based
Common for cloud security and secure access services.
- ZTNA users
- SSE users
- SWG services
- Security features
- Support tiers
User + Network
Combines secure user access with networking and branch connectivity.
- Users
- Branches
- SD-WAN
- SSE / Security
- Bandwidth / Features
Enterprise Custom
Designed around larger or more complex environments with specific security, networking and operational requirements.
- Multiple locations
- Large user population
- Advanced security
- Data controls
- Professional services
Don't Buy SASE Before You Know What You Actually Need.
You may need full SASE. You may need SSE. You may need SD-WAN. You may only need ZTNA or secure internet access. The first step is understanding the current problem.
Free SASE Comparison
Start with the business problem — not the product.
SASE Across Different Business Environments.
SASE requirements change depending on how users, locations, applications and devices operate.
Secure POS, guest Wi-Fi, staff devices, cloud applications and multiple locations.
Secure stores, POS, cameras, employee devices and centralized cloud applications.
Secure users, connected devices, applications and distributed healthcare locations.
Separate guest and business environments while supporting property technology and cloud systems.
Secure hybrid employees and cloud applications containing sensitive business information.
Connect warehouses, branches, scanners, mobile devices and cloud applications.
Support Wi-Fi, IoT, cameras, automation and distributed operational systems.
Centralize networking and security policies across branches and distributed sites.
SASE Questions Businesses Ask Before Switching.
Your Users Are Everywhere. Your Security Should Be Too.
Tell DriveTech what is happening with your VPN, branches, cloud applications, remote employees, network performance or security. We'll help you understand whether SASE, SSE, SD-WAN, ZTNA or another architecture fits the problem.