SASE vs. SSE: Exploring Key Differences and Benefits

In the modern IT workforce, remote and hybrid employees have become common rather than a rare occurrence, as was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, most companies have wide and dispersed networks and cloud solutions, requiring sophisticated technologies for connectivity, networking, and security.

Two widely recognized frameworks, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE), have responded to modern organizational needs. Both frameworks aim to connect end users and networks securely, but they differ in scope, components, and, most importantly, use cases. In this article, we will discuss their benefits and differences by answering the following questions:

• What is the difference between SASE and SSE?
• How do SASE and SSE address security and networking needs?
• What are the Key Benefits of SASE Over SSE?
• When should you choose SSE instead of SASE?
• How Do SASE and SSE Impact Cloud Security and Performance?      

What is the Difference Between SASE and SSE?

Let’s start with defining SASE and its core components. Then we will compare SASE vs SSE. In essence, SASE is a cloud-based framework that integrates security and networking features. For the scattered users of an organization over the globe, SASE is intended to offer safe and efficient access to apps and services. Through the integration of Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) with security technologies like Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), SASE provides a comprehensive, single-platform solution for the security of the modern organizational networks.

Security Service Edge (SSE) has similarities with SASE, but the main difference comes from the focus. SSE focuses mostly on security services, without the networking component; therefore, the SD-WAN component is excluded. SSE offers cloud-delivered security capabilities, ensuring secure and controlled access to cloud applications, the web, and organizational data. As a result, it answers different needs, but it has similar components.

What are the Core Components of SASE and SSE?      

The core components of SASE are outlined below.

• Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): This component is one of the main differences between SASE and SSE. SD-WAN is used to optimize the network routing between users, apps, and services by dynamically controlling the traffic. It improves connection security, performance, and reliability.   
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): This is the main component that protects cloud-based apps. CASB’s job is enforcing security policies, monitoring data transfers, and detecting potential threats to cloud apps.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): It uses one of the relatively new cybersecurity concepts called zero trust. ZTNA ensures that only authorized users may access applications and services by managing access based on contextual risk assessment, device security posture, and user identity.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): IT filters web traffic to prevent threats by blocking malicious sites, enforcing web security policies, and detecting malware before it reaches the network.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Delivers cloud-based firewall protection by inspecting and controlling network traffic, preventing unauthorized access, and mitigating cyber threats in distributed environments.

The core components of SSE are outlined below.

• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Enforces cloud security policies.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Controls user access based on identity.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Provides web traffic filtering and malware prevention.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Delivers cloud-based firewall protection.

SSE is more network and end-user security oriented. Hence, it focuses on secure access to applications, data, and the internet while implementing security policies to mitigate threats and unauthorized access.

One of SSE’s core features is access control, which uses Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to limit unwanted exposure by ensuring end users only access programs that are required for them based on their identity and context. Threat prevention is another important aspect. By serving as a mediator between users and the internet, Secure Web Gateways (SWG) filter online traffic, stop dangerous content, and enforce security standards.

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB) improve data security within SSE by monitoring and controlling data flow between internal networks and cloud apps, preventing unauthorized access, and guaranteeing compliance. Businesses may spot threats early and mitigate possible breaches by tracking user activity and network behavior in real-time through continuous security monitoring. In addition to preventing resource abuse and ensuring regulatory compliance, acceptable use control upholds company policies for data handling and web usage.

There are several SSE vendors that specialize in secure network solutions, each offering different combinations of ZTNA, SWG, CASB, web-based firewalls, and security monitoring capabilities. Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, Zenarmor, Netskope, and Cisco Umbrella are some of the well-known examples.

To ensure safe access to cloud apps and enforce security policies, SASE and SSE utilize several similar security components, such as ZTNA, CASB, FWaaS, and SWG. However, SASE differs from SSE by having extra networking and SD-WAN features, offering a more complete solution for businesses needing both network and security features. SSE, on the other hand, is perfect for companies that require improved cloud security solutions but already have a networking infrastructure in place because it only concentrates on security services.

How do SASE and SSE Address Security and Networking Needs?

Although both SASE and SSE are essential for protecting enterprise environments and systems, their approaches to networking and security are very different. In this section, we will navigate the network and security limitations that SASE and SSE address.

SASE combines networking and security features into one cohesive system. By incorporating SD-WAN, SASE imposes security policies and maximizes network performance. Therefore, organizations gain from a unified strategy that provides secure application and service access without giving up network performance. SASE could be recommended for companies needing networking and security features because it guarantees smooth connectivity for branch offices, remote workers, and cloud-based apps.

SSE, on the other hand, focuses mostly on security. It enhances network security through components such as ZTNA, CASB, FWaaS, and SWG. While avoiding unauthorized access and data loss, these capabilities offer strong protection for web traffic, cloud apps, and remote access. Organizations with an existing networking infrastructure and requiring an extra layer of security to safeguard users and their data in a dispersed setting would benefit from SSE.
For instance, SSE can be used by a business with multiple remote workers using cloud apps to monitor user activity, enforce security guidelines, and stop data breaches. On the other hand, a multinational corporation with numerous branch locations and a sophisticated network architecture can choose to use SASE to combine SD-WAN with security measures to make sure of thorough protection and optimal connectivity.

Both frameworks address evolving security challenges, but the choice between SASE and SSE depends on an organization’s specific networking and security requirements.

What are the Key Benefits of SASE Over SSE?

SASE is a cloud-native solution that combines networking and security, giving it several advantages over SSE. The key benefits of SASE are as follows:

• Integrated Networking and Security: In contrast to SSE, SASE incorporates SD-WAN, guaranteeing that security and networking performance are integrated, simplifying and enhancing efficiency.
• Enhanced Performance: By allowing traffic to be dynamically routed according to network conditions with SD-WAN, SASE lowers latency and enhances application performance for branch offices and distant users.
• Comprehensive Security: The whole security stack that SASE provides, which includes CASB, SWG, ZTNA, and FWaaS, ensures total protection in on-premises, cloud, and remote settings.

When Should You Choose SSE Instead of SASE?

SSE can be the preferred choice for organizations that already have an established networking infrastructure and need a security-focused solution. Companies that do not require SD-WAN but want to improve their security posture for cloud applications, remote workers, and web traffic could enjoy the full benefit from SSE.

Industries that need to handle sensitive data like PIIs, such as finance, healthcare, and legal sectors, could choose SSE to enforce strict security policies and compliance requirements. For example, a financial institution that already has a high-performance network can give SSE top priority to guarantee safe access to cloud-based apps for remote workers without changing its networking infrastructure. In a similar vein, SSE can be used by a healthcare institution that manages patient data to establish Zero Trust guidelines and stop data breaches and leaks.

Organizations with a primarily remote workforce can also benefit from SSE, as it provides strong identity-based access controls and security monitoring without the need for complex network optimizations. Additionally, businesses that operate in hybrid cloud environments can use SSE to secure multi-cloud access while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.

How Do SASE and SSE Impact Cloud Security and Performance?

By utilizing cloud-native architectures to improve security enforcement and optimize user experiences, SASE and SSE could have a substantial impact on cloud security and performance.

SASE reduces the need to backhaul traffic through a centralized data center by integrating security directly into the network, improving cloud performance. Through the use of regional Points of Presence (PoPs), SASE reduces latency and guarantees safe, direct access to cloud apps by putting security enforcement points closer to users. With this architecture, users may safely connect to apps from any location with less latency and more efficiency than they could with traditional VPNs. Cloud security and SD-WAN together guarantee that organizations gain from seamless security enforcement as well as optimal connection.

Despite not having a networking component like SD-WAN, SSE enhances cloud security by focusing on safeguarding user access, monitoring data flows, and ensuring compliance. CASB is integrated into SSE systems to track and manage data movement between users and cloud services. By monitoring online traffic and preventing access to dangerous websites, Secure Web Gateways (SWG) further shield users from malevolent attacks. By requiring users and devices to undergo ongoing verification prior to being granted access to cloud services, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) lowers the possibility of security breaches.

SSE can successfully protect cloud and network access for organizations that only use cloud apps without requiring significant networking changes. SASE, however, is more advantageous for businesses that need both networking improvements and security optimization. SASE is a better option for businesses with complicated cloud systems since it enhances security and performance by fusing SD-WAN with security enforcement.

Ultimately, the decision between SASE and SSE depends on whether an organization prioritizes network performance with integrated security (SASE) or cloud-focused security without SD-WAN (SSE).