How to Implement SASE Effectively

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines networking and security capabilities into a single cloud-based solution delivered at the network edge.

This offers a range of benefits, including:

• Simplifying network management
• Providing unified network security policies across users, devices, and applications

(regardless of location.)

But, to get these benefits, you must follow effective steps for SASE implementation. Without proper planning and deployment, you can end up with a poorly integrated and configured SASE solution that leaves security gaps for attackers to exploit while also failing to improve network performance.

Plus, a lack of training can cause confusion among users and frustration within IT teams, leading to a less effective deployment.

10 Steps for an Effective SASE Implementation

Here are 10 steps for SASE implementation that, when followed, will improve the success rate of your project.

#1. Assess Current Environment

The first step for effective SASE deployment is to assess your current environment.

You need to understand your starting point before you can determine how best to proceed. This includes uncovering existing performance issues and security gaps, identifying your most sensitive data and applications, and any current cloud infrastructure that can be leveraged for future SASE operations.

Key processes to undertake during this step include:

• Creating a comprehensive inventory of your existing infrastructure, such as your network assets and topology, security solutions, SaaS applications, and remote access systems. Review technical documentation, network diagrams, and data sources from across your infrastructure.
• Assessing your application hosting environments, whether they are on-prem or in the cloud.
• Reviewing typical user behavior and network traffic to understand where employees work and the systems they require access to, depending on their role.
• Evaluating any compliance requirements you must adhere to.

#2. Define Objectives

If step 1 for SASE implementation sets your starting point, defining your objectives determines the end point. You want to align SASE deployment with clear business and security goals. This could be:

• Enabling safer remote work practices
• Improving network performance
• Implementing zero trust
• Moving away from existing legacy infrastructure
• Reducing the risk of data breaches,
• Or something completely different

Whatever it is you need, clearly defined objectives will guide future decision-making and ensure the final SASE requirements result in tangible business benefits.

With goals in mind, you assess SASE best practices and capabilities that will close the gaps in existing security policies. You can also set metrics and KPIs to track outcomes of your SASE implementation.

#3. Choose the Right SASE Vendor

Choosing the best possible SASE vendor to work with is critical to the success of your implementation. You need to find a vendor with the right features and capabilities that align with your objectives. While the market for true single-vendor SASE products is relatively young, there are a number of players with compelling solutions. 

Consider and compare solutions, such as:

• Check Point’s SASE,
• Cato SASE Cloud,
• Palo Alto Networks Prisma
• Cisco Umbrella.

SASE requirements for a comprehensive solution include networking functionality via a Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) and security capabilities such as Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateway (SWGs), and the ability to implement Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

Other factors to consider include:

• Network performance and low-latency access due to global distributed Points of Presence (PoPs) that include strategic locations for your business and workforce.
• Integrations that provide compatibility with your existing infrastructure.
• Customer support and quality of service.
• Allowing your team to oversee networking and security functionality from an easy-to-use, intuitive interface.

#4. Design the Architecture

The next step is to design the new architecture of your network and map out how SASE components will integrate with existing infrastructure to optimize the final outcome. You need to determine:

• How data will move between different apps, services, systems, and users
• Where these will be located or deployed
• How the SASE platform will facilitate this
• Where it will enforce security policies

A key decision while designing the new network architecture is how to segment traffic.

Dividing your network is a key security mechanism that limits lateral movement if a data breach does occur. Another factor is identity management and defining zero-trust policies based on least-privilege principles and dynamic access controls.

The goal is to develop a SASE architecture that balances security and performance.

(while also planning for future scalability and flexibility.)

Proper planning during this stage reduces SASE deployment complexity and long-term maintenance needs.

#5. Prepare for Deployment

Preparation is critical to ensure a smooth deployment that reduces timelines and minimizes disruptions. During this step, you need to engage with key stakeholders to develop a rollout strategy and educate staff on the new network architecture. The goal is to:

• Build confidence
• Gather feedback
• Refine your processes before SASE deployment.

You also want to demonstrate the value of the new SASE network to gain stakeholder buy-in and prevent institutional resistance.

Next, you need to configure new security policies and a plan for migrating from existing systems. This requires:

• Communicating responsibilities to IT staff
• Producing the documentation they require for future operations.

Lastly, during preparation, you should be conducting risk and readiness assessments to anticipate any potential challenges and ensure the final network delivers the performance and security.

#6. Implement Core SASE Components

This step is when you finally start rolling out your new network architecture and implementing the SASE solution. Key actions during the implementation stage include:

• Deploying the SD-WAN network and replacing legacy infrastructure.
• Enabling new identity-based access controls based on ZTNA.
• Activating the secure web gateways and cloud access security brokers to protect against online threats and control SaaS use.
• Transitioning to FWaaS to filter and segment network traffic between users, locations, and SaaS applications.

Configuration of these components should be driven by your architectural blueprint and preparation from the previous two steps. You want a centralized team overseeing the implementation to ensure the outcome provides consistent security policies regardless of network asset or location.

#7. Migrate Incrementally

SASE implementation best practices should start with a phased rollout.

This reduces the risk by incrementally migrating to the new solution while validating performance, security, and user experience. It is often best to start with lower-risk locations or departments, pilot testing the technology on a smaller scale where the consequences of disruption are less severe.

During this migration, monitor performance closely and gather user feedback to adjust security policies and network settings as real-world use patterns emerge.

Automated logging and reporting simplifies the discovery process during initial rollout.

#8. Optimize and Tune

Even with extensive planning, something as complex as SASE deployment will always produce surprises and unexpected issues to adapt to. Optimizing and tuning SASE components and security policies is a fundamental part of implementation.

You want to identify usage trends and performance issues to improve connectivity and tighten security controls based on real-world data rather than projections. Make sure to analyze:

• Logs
• User feedback
• Performance metrics

Examples include fine-tuning security tools for fewer false positives or rerouting traffic for lower latency.

#9. Educate Users

SASE is a fundamental shift in networking and security strategy that requires altering your IT culture and educating your broader workforce on new workflows. SASE will only be successful if it is embraced by end users.

Therefore, education and training are a vital part of the implementation process.

Conduct training sessions to communicate the changes, cover new security procedures, SASE best practices, and what to do if an issue arises. Develop training material, documentation, and SASE tutorials that staff can use as a quick reference guide to help with potential future issues.

#10. Ongoing Management and Improvements

Continuous management and improvements ensure the solution remains effective as your business evolves and you ask for different things from your IT infrastructure. This includes:

• Updating security policies in response to new threats
• Implementing any new vendor features that improve operations.

Also, keep lines of communication open for end users and key stakeholders to inform you if the SASE implementation no longer aligns with business goals.

Maximize Security with Check Point’s SASE

Partnering with Check Point simplifies these steps for SASE implementation, ensuring you get the networking and security capabilities your business needs. We can work with you through the entire process, from defining goals and assessing existing infrastructure to:

• Network design
• Deployment
• Fine-tuning

Check Point’s SASE offers best-in-class security and performance, and we offer industry-leading support. Schedule a short call with our sales team and get your SASE implementation process started today.

To learn more about SASE for enterprises and how they provide practical solutions to current network challenges, download our eBook on the subject.

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