A New Era for Hybrid Work: Japan’s First Fully Managed SASE Solution Has Arrived
The way we work has fundamentally changed. The traditional office perimeter has dissolved, replaced by a dynamic environment of remote employees, cloud applications, and personal devices. While this shift offers incredible flexibility, it also creates significant challenges for network management and cybersecurity. Legacy security models, built around a centralized office, are no longer effective, leaving businesses vulnerable and users frustrated with slow connections.
To address this modern challenge, a new architectural approach is required—one that unifies networking and security into a single, cloud-delivered service. This framework, known as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), is now more accessible than ever for businesses in Japan with the launch of the country’s first fully managed SASE solution.
This groundbreaking service combines the power of a global technology leader with the expertise of a premier domestic telecommunications provider to deliver seamless, secure access for any user, on any device, anywhere.
What is SASE and Why Does It Matter Now?
SASE (pronounced “sassy”) isn’t just another buzzword; it’s a strategic evolution in enterprise security and networking. It converges critical network and security functions into a unified, cloud-native platform. Instead of routing traffic back through a central data center for inspection, SASE brings the security checks directly to the user at the network edge.
A robust SASE architecture typically integrates several key functions:
- Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): Optimizes network performance for cloud applications, ensuring a fast and reliable user experience.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Access to applications is granted on a case-by-case basis after verifying user identity and device posture, significantly reducing the attack surface.
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Protects users from web-based threats by filtering malicious content and enforcing corporate security policies.
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Provides visibility and control over how users interact with cloud applications, preventing data leakage and ensuring compliance.
- Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Delivers cloud-based firewall protection to all network edges, from branch offices to individual remote users.
By combining these capabilities, SASE eliminates the need for a complex patchwork of single-purpose security products, offering a more streamlined and effective approach to securing the modern workforce.
Key Benefits of a Unified, Managed SASE Approach
For businesses struggling to adapt to the demands of hybrid work, adopting a fully managed SASE solution provides a clear path forward. This new offering in Japan is designed to simplify IT operations while strengthening an organization’s security posture.
Here are the primary advantages:
- Simplified Management and Reduced Complexity: Instead of juggling multiple vendors and disjointed security consoles, IT teams can rely on a single, unified platform. A fully managed service takes this a step further, offloading the day-to-day operations, monitoring, and maintenance to dedicated experts.
- Consistent and Powerful Security: Security policies are enforced consistently across all users and locations. Whether an employee is in the office, at home, or traveling, they receive the same level of protection against malware, phishing, and other advanced threats.
- Superior User Experience: By optimizing network paths and eliminating the need for cumbersome VPNs, SASE provides faster, more direct access to cloud applications. This boosts productivity and reduces frustration for employees, who can work seamlessly from anywhere.
- Future-Proof Zero Trust Security: This solution is built on a foundation of Zero Trust, which is critical for securing a distributed workforce. It ensures that only authenticated users on compliant devices can access specific applications, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Enhanced Visibility and Control: The integrated platform provides IT administrators with complete visibility into network traffic and user activity, making it easier to detect threats, investigate incidents, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
Actionable Steps: Is a Managed SASE Solution Right for Your Business?
A managed SASE service is particularly valuable for organizations that want to modernize their infrastructure without overburdening their internal IT teams. To determine if this solution is a good fit for your company, consider the following questions:
- Is your workforce distributed? If you have a significant number of remote or hybrid employees, a managed SASE can provide the consistent security and performance they need.
- Are you struggling with VPN performance? If users complain about slow speeds and unreliable connections when accessing applications through a traditional VPN, SASE offers a much more efficient alternative.
- Is your security stack overly complex? If your team is managing a collection of disparate security tools from multiple vendors, a unified platform can drastically reduce operational overhead and improve your security effectiveness.
- Do you lack in-house security expertise? A “fully managed” service is ideal for businesses that don’t have a large, dedicated cybersecurity team. It provides access to expert management and 24/7 monitoring, allowing your IT staff to focus on other strategic priorities.
The introduction of Japan’s first fully managed SASE solution marks a pivotal moment for businesses across the country. By embracing this new model, organizations can finally solve the security and networking complexities of the hybrid work era, empowering their teams to be productive and secure, no matter where they work.
Source: https://feedpress.me/link/23532/17121476/cisco-kddi-deliver-partner-to-deliver-japans-first-fully-managed-sase-solution
