FortiSASE (Secure Access Service Edge) by Fortinet is a cloud-delivered solution that merges networking and security services to provide secure, efficient, and scalable access for remote users and distributed branches. FortiSASE integrates essential security features like Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), ensuring secure connectivity without compromising performance. FortiSASE is ideal for modern organizations adopting cloud-based applications and hybrid work models.

Benefits of FortiSASE:

1. Comprehensive Security: FortiSASE provides centralized security controls, protecting users and devices regardless of their location. With features like ZTNA, SWG, and CASB, it ensures that security policies are applied consistently across remote sites and users, reducing the risk of cyberattacks.
2. Improved Performance: By combining networking and security services, FortiSASE optimizes the performance of cloud-based applications. It reduces latency and ensures that users can access applications smoothly while maintaining security.
3. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): FortiSASE enforces ZTNA principles, granting users access only to specific resources based on their identity, device posture, and other contextual factors. This reduces the attack surface and prevents unauthorized access, even from internal networks.
4. Simplified Management: As a cloud-delivered service, FortiSASE simplifies network and security management by consolidating multiple tools into a single platform. This reduces the need for complex on-premise security solutions and allows for centralized policy enforcement, even for geographically dispersed teams.
5. Scalability: FortiSASE is highly scalable, allowing businesses to easily accommodate more users and devices as they grow. The cloud-based architecture enables quick deployment without the need for costly hardware upgrades or complex configurations.

A large organization with a distributed workforce and multiple branch locations can implement SASE to streamline and secure its network infrastructure. Before adopting SASE, the organization may face challenges such as inconsistent security policies, performance issues due to remote access, and difficulties managing multiple security solutions across various sites.

By deploying SASE, the organization can provide secure and optimized access to cloud-based applications for remote employees and branch offices. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) ensures that only authenticated users and devices have access to specific resources, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, Secure Web Gateway (SWG) protects users from web-based threats, while Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) offers visibility and control over the use of cloud applications.

In this SASE model, security policies are centrally managed and applied uniformly across all locations, ensuring consistent protection regardless of where employees are working. This approach not only improves security but also enhances performance by routing traffic through optimized cloud gateways, reducing latency for cloud applications. Furthermore, with SASE’s Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), the organization no longer needs to maintain complex on-premise firewalls at each location, simplifying infrastructure and reducing costs.

Ultimately, SASE allows the organization to deliver seamless, secure connectivity for its distributed teams while ensuring centralized control and improved network performance.

FortiSASE provides organizations with a flexible, scalable, and secure solution to support the modern demands of distributed workforces and cloud-based applications. With integrated security features and centralized management, FortiSASE ensures seamless and secure connectivity across the enterprise.