How NaaS Relates to SASE: The Next Step for Cloud Security?

Network as a Service (NaaS) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) are both emerging cloud-based solutions designed to help organizations meet the demands of modern networking. 

• NaaS offers flexible and scalable network infrastructure
• SASE wraps this infrastructure with advanced security features

In this way, both services can be combined to create a secure and efficient network environment.

What Is Network as a Service (NaaS)

Network as a Service (NaaS) is a cloud-based model that delivers network services on-demand. Think of it as renting the network infrastructure you need rather than buying and managing it yourself. 

Everything is managed through a single service provider, which means businesses can easily scale up or down as their needs change. 

NaaS allows businesses to deploy a virtual network without the need for physical hardware., including:

• Bandwidth
• Connectivity
• Security services

For this reason, NaaS replaces legacy tools such as firewalls, load balancers, virtual private networks (VPNs), and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) connections.

When to Use NaaS

Here’s when we recommend using NaaS.

• Going Global: If your business wants to connect across different regions without spending a fortune on hardware.
• Boosting Speed: When you have changing bandwidth needs and want to scale resources up or down quickly.
• Saving Money: If you’re looking to cut costs on physical equipment and maintenance with a more flexible, cloud-based solution.
• Focusing on What Matters: If you’d rather leave network management to someone else so you can concentrate on your core business activities.
• Ditching Old Tech: If it’s time to replace outdated networking tools like MPLS, firewalls, or VPNs with modern, cloud-based options.
• Starting Short-Term Projects: If you need a quick networking solution for a temporary project or event that doesn’t warrant a long-term setup.

What Is SASE? (Secure Access Service Edge)

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is an all-in-one, cloud-based service that provides a holistic cybersecurity framework designed to protect cloud networks. It offers protection beyond the traditional network perimeter, ensuring that users can access corporate resources securely, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the go. 

Featuring advanced security tools like software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), firewall as a service (FWaaS), and secure web gateways (SWG), SASE boosts an organization’s security posture and helps maintain compliance, making it a solid choice for navigating today’s complex hybrid networks.

• Working Remotely: If your team works from various locations and needs secure access to company resources from any device.
• Fending off Advanced Threats: If you need a comprehensive security setup that combines multiple services to fend off advanced threats.
• Staying Compliant: If you operate in a regulated industry and need to enforce strict data protection and privacy rules.
• Juggling Hybrid Setups: If you’re juggling both on-premises and cloud services and want consistent security and connectivity across the board.
• Improving User Experience: If you’re looking to boost application performance for users, especially when accessing cloud resources.

How NaaS relates to SASE

Although NaaS and SASE are two separate services—one focused on networking and the other on security—they complement each other well. 

Essentially, NaaS is the backbone of an organization’s cloud network, while SASE is the protective layer around it. 

Both NaaS and SASE operate in the cloud, and they help simplify how an organization deploys, manages, and secures its networks. This makes them easy to integrate, and it’s why many NaaS providers also offer SASE solutions to complement their services.

NaaS supplies organizations with the connectivity and bandwidth they need, especially if their corporate network spans large areas or multiple countries. Meanwhile, SASE ensures that every connection made through the NaaS platform is secure and compliant. 

Together, they allow businesses to easily set up and optimize their networks while providing advanced security features that protect their uses from anywhere, and on any device.

Can SASE and NaaS Work Together?

SASE and NaaS solutions are cloud-based soulmates. When combined, they create a powerful framework that makes it easy to manage and scale cloud networks from one central location. Here’s why: 

• Centralized Management: NaaS provides the network infrastructure, and SASE adds a layer of security, while both are hosted by single service providers, making them easy to deploy and maintain. 
• Better Security: NaaS provides the connectivity you need,  and SASE ensures that all traffic is inspected and secured, which helps reduce your attack surface. 
• Flexibility: Cloud infrastructure is naturally scalable, allowing your network to adapt on the fly to changing demands.
• Cost Efficiency: Both solutions usually follow a pay-as-you-go model, which cuts down on upfront costs. They also ensure you don’t need to invest in multiple networking or security tools. 
• Easy Innovation: Since both solutions are cloud-based, you can roll out new features and technologies (like IoT and AI) quickly, keeping you ahead of the curve with minimal disruption to operations.
• Full Compliance: Combining NaaS and SASE can make it easier to manage resources and enforce data privacy and security policies across the corporate network.

Just keep in mind that for this integration to be successful, you’ll need to pick the right providers and ensure their solutions work well together. Some vendors are already heading toward unified platforms that offer both NaaS and SASE capabilities, making it easier for businesses to use these services side by side. 

Maximize Network Security with Check Point’s SASE

The attack surface of the corporate network is growing, and protecting your business requires advanced solutions. Check Point’s SASE provides fast and reliable access to all of your on-prem and cloud resources while safeguarding your network with Zero Trust access, advanced threat prevention, AI-powered security, and more. 

Check Point’s SASE makes it easy for you to protect your most critical assets while you navigate the cloud, all with superior internet security performance. 

Book a free demo today to find out more.