SASE vs VPN: What’s the Difference?

Not sure which security solution to choose from?

While both SASE and VPN are great for maximizing security, they serve different types of organizations – and choosing the right one might be just the thing you need to stay secure. And that’s what you’re going to discover in this post. 

You’ll learn everything about SASE and VPN, what are the differences, the most common use cases, and which one to choose for you.

What Is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a comprehensive, cloud-native security framework that converges networking and security functions to protect users, devices, and data regardless of location. SASE integrates essential components like secure web gateways (SWG), cloud access security brokers (CASB), zero-trust network access (ZTNA), and software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN). 

This combination provides seamless access to network resources at the network edge, delivering optimized, secure connections without requiring traffic to backhaul through a central data center.

Key Components of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE):

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Protects against threats by filtering internet traffic and enforcing security policies.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Provides cloud access security by ensuring that cloud-based applications and resources are securely managed.
• Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Uses user identity and access controls to verify every request for network access, aligning with the zero-trust security model.
• Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): Optimizes connections across private networks and public networks, such as public Wi-Fi networks.

What Is a VPN?

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a traditional method for securing remote workers to have a remote access solution to a corporate network. VPNs establish VPN connections that encrypt data between a remote device and the central server located at a data center or main office, extending the network perimeter to remote employees and providing them with access to resources. 

However, VPNs can be limited in environments with heavy cloud reliance or extensive internet traffic, as all data is typically routed through a central data center, potentially leading to bottlenecks.

Key Characteristics of VPNs:

• Secure Network Perimeter: VPNs create a secure perimeter around a network, offering private, encrypted connections for remote workers to access.
• Encryption and Tunneling: Data is tunneled and encrypted, which is critical for users accessing corporate resources from public Wi-Fi networks or other unsecured internet connections.
• Centralized Access Point: VPNs are often managed from a central server or corporate data center, simplifying the network architecture but potentially limiting scalability.

VPNs are a remote access solution well-suited for smaller business networks with fewer remote workers and remote employees but can be challenging in cloud-first environments that require direct access to multiple, dispersed resources.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) vs. VPN: What’s the Difference?

When comparing SASE and VPNs, the differences in architecture, network performance, user experience, and network management become evident. 

Here’s a closer look:

1. Architectures

SASE is a cloud-based, distributed network architecture that delivers security functions directly from the network edge. This cloud-native approach eliminates the need for premises hardware, enabling efficient access control over cloud resources and internet connections.

Conversely, VPNs rely on a centralized data center model, routing all internet traffic through a single central server. 

While effective for some networking capabilities, this architecture can struggle with scalability, particularly in hybrid or cloud-based setups.

2. Performance Considerations

SASE offers low-latency connections for cloud-based applications and resources by establishing direct access paths, bypassing traditional VPN constraints like server backhauling. This architecture improves speed for both remote employees and in-office users, leading to a more seamless user experience.

In contrast, VPNs can experience performance issues due to centralized routing, especially under heavy internet traffic loads or when connecting users across multiple global locations. 

This is where VPNs often lack the flexibility to deliver consistent user experience across dispersed user locations.

3. User Experience and Accessibility

With SASE, user access to network resources is based on identity verification and device posture, aligning with zero-trust network access principles. 

This setup enables streamlined, secure access to applications and corporate resources, regardless of location.

VPNs provide secure access by creating a private tunnel to corporate networks. However, users might encounter inconsistent speeds due to variable internet connections and the distance to the central data center, which can impact productivity for remote employees.

4. Management and Maintenance

SASE centralizes network management through a unified dashboard, consolidating security policies and providing visibility across cloud services and on-premises environments. 

This setup simplifies the workload for IT teams managing network activity and security gaps.

VPNs require individual configurations and access controls for each connection, leading to increased network complexity. Managing a VPN often requires dedicated resources to ensure consistent security and maintenance, which can drive up operational expenses.

Use Cases: Best Scenarios for Each Solution

Each solution has unique advantages and limitations, making them suitable for different scenarios.

Ideal Use Cases for SASE

Here are the ideal use cases for SASE:

• Cloud-Centric Organizations: SASE is a perfect fit for businesses heavily invested in cloud-based applications and services, enabling direct, secure access to cloud resources without rerouting through a central data center.
• Remote-First or Hybrid Workforces: Organizations with a dispersed or remote workforce benefit from SASE’s network edge capabilities, ensuring secure, efficient connections across internet connections.
• Zero-Trust Network Models: Enterprises adopting a zero-trust security model benefit from SASE’s identity-based access and behavior monitoring, ensuring strict control over network access.

Ideal Use Cases for VPN

Here are the ideal use cases for VPN:

• Centralized Work Environments: Organizations with a central location for corporate resources benefit from VPNs, providing remote employees with direct access to a controlled network.
• Cost-Conscious Organizations: VPNs can be more affordable for smaller organizations or those with limited remote access needs, avoiding the cost of a full cloud-based security solution.
• Secure Access to Private Networks: VPNs offer secure tunneling to private networks, ideal for smaller companies or teams needing limited, controlled access.

Is SASE the New VPN?

In an era of digital transformation and cloud-first strategies, SASE increasingly represents the future of secure access solutions, offering advantages in scalability, network management, and intrusion prevention systems. 

SASE is especially suited for organizations prioritizing:

• Flexibility
• Direct-to-cloud connectivity
• Zero-trust approach

Why SASE May Replace VPN

Here are the exact reasons why SASE may replace VPN:

1. Scalability and Flexibility: SASE supports distributed workforces by providing scalable networking capabilities that don’t depend on central servers.
2. Cloud Compatibility: With more cloud-based applications being used across industries, SASE’s compatibility with cloud services simplifies control over network access.
3. Enhanced Security Model: SASE incorporates intrusion prevention systems, cloud access security brokers, and software-defined perimeters that address security gaps often found in VPN-based models.

Potential Limitations and Challenges

While SASE is a powerful tool for secure network management, it also has its challenges.

• Implementation Complexity: Transitioning from traditional VPNs to a full SASE architecture requires planning and reconfiguration, which can be resource-intensive for organizations.
• Cost Considerations: SASE solutions, especially with robust cloud access security broker and zero-trust network access capabilities, can be costly. Small businesses may find VPNs more affordable if their security needs are less complex.
• Reliance on Cloud Providers: SASE’s effectiveness is highly dependent on cloud service providers, meaning any provider downtime can impact the entire network’s security and availability.
• Learning Curve: SASE’s advanced features, such as software-defined wide area networks and centralized network management, might require additional training for IT teams accustomed to VPN configurations.

Despite these limitations, the benefits of SASE often outweigh the drawbacks for large, digitally-transformed organizations that prioritize network security and user experience.

Maximize Network Security with Check Point’s SASE

Check Point’s SASE offers comprehensive protection with secure web gateways, CASB, and ZTNA functions for organizations needing a secure, scalable, and cloud-native solution. By implementing Check Point’s SASE, organizations can:

• Streamline Network Complexity: Centralize security policies and access control for simplified network management.
• Boost Security Posture: Leverage advanced intrusion prevention systems to guard against evolving threats across all network connections.
• Optimize User Experience: Provide seamless access to cloud resources and corporate applications, ensuring a consistent experience for both remote employees and in-office users.

Check Point’s SASE offers a sophisticated alternative to traditional VPNs, equipping organizations with a future-ready approach to network security.

While both SASE and VPNs are essential tools in network security, SASE has emerged as the more versatile, scalable solution for cloud-driven and remote-first businesses for remote users. Its ability to operate at the network edge, paired with advanced cloud access security and zero-trust network access, make it a powerful choice for organizations adapting to digital transformation. However, VPNs remain viable for straightforward, private network access needs, particularly in environments where simplicity and affordability are key.

The choice between SASE and VPN depends on an organization’s specific requirements, scalability needs, and security priorities. By carefully assessing each solution’s strengths and limitations, businesses can align their network security with their broader goals, ensuring robust protection and an optimized user experience.

Contact us today to see if the right choice for you is SASE or a VPN!