SASE 101: How to get started with secure access in a cloud-first world

As organizations adopt cloud applications, hybrid work, and distributed teams, many are re-evaluating how users securely access applications and data. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has become a common starting point for these conversations, but for many teams, understanding where to begin can feel unclear.

This article provides a practical foundation for teams learning about SASE for the first time. It explains what SASE is, why it emerged, how it differs from Security Service Edge (SSE), and how organizations can use SASE as a modern framework for secure access. The goal is to build shared understanding before diving into tools or technical decisions.

What is SASE?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cloud-delivered approach that combines networking and security capabilities into a unified access model.

Instead of relying on centralized data centers and fixed network perimeters, SASE delivers secure access closer to users and applications, using cloud services to apply policies in most user locations.

At a foundational level, SASE shifts access and security from being network-centric to identity-centric. This is why SASE is often discussed early in security modernization efforts that also include Zero Trust.

Why SASE is often a starting point

Many organizations begin exploring SASE because existing models no longer match how work happens today.

Traditional assumptions:

• Users worked primarily from corporate offices
• Applications lived inside data centers
• Network location determined trust

Today’s reality:

• Employees work remotely or in hybrid models
• Applications live across multiple clouds and SaaS platforms
• Contractors and partners require controlled access
• Devices connect from many different networks

SASE provides a way to align secure access with these realities, making it a natural entry point for organizations looking to modernize without immediately restructuring their entire environment.

Core concepts to understand when getting started with SASE

SASE is not a single technology or deployment. It is a framework made up of several core ideas:

• Cloud-Delivered Networking
  Connectivity adapts to where users and applications are located rather than forcing traffic through fixed sites.
• Integrated Security Controls
  Security inspection and enforcement are applied consistently across users, devices, and destinations.
• Identity-Aware Access
  Access decisions are based on who the user is and the context of the request, not the network they are coming from.
• Globally Distributed Delivery
  Services are delivered through cloud infrastructure that operates close to users around the world.

Understanding these concepts early helps teams define what SASE means for their environment before evaluating vendors or technologies.

How SASE fits with Zero Trust

SASE is closely aligned with Zero Trust principles, which require continuous verification of access requests and avoid relying on implicit trust.

Rather than replacing Zero Trust, SASE provides a scalable architecture for supporting it in distributed, cloud-first environments. It helps enforce identity-based access and apply consistent security policies regardless of user or application location.

For many organizations, SASE is a practical way to begin operationalizing Zero Trust for real-world access scenarios.

SASE vs. SSE: An important early distinction

When getting started with SASE, teams often encounter the related term Security Service Edge (SSE). Understanding the distinction helps clarify scope and expectations.

What Is SSE (Security Service Edge)?

SSE is a cloud-delivered security model focused specifically on protecting user access to:

• The web
• Cloud and SaaS applications
• Private applications

SSE concentrates on security controls and policy enforcement. It does not address network optimization or routing.

How SASE and SSE Are Related:

• SASE is the broader architecture that combines networking and security.
• SSE represents the security portion of SASE.

In other words, SSE is a subset of SASE. Many organizations begin their modernization journey with SSE because it allows them to improve user access security before making broader networking changes.

Using scenarios to build early understanding

When first learning about SASE, scenarios often help bring the concepts to life. For example:

• A remote employee securely accesses applications without routing traffic through a corporate office.
• A contractor receives limited, identity-based access without joining the internal network.
• A branch office connects directly to cloud services without relying on complex on-premises infrastructure.
• These examples illustrate the outcomes that SASE helps enable, which helps teams evaluate alignment with their needs.

Who should be involved when getting started with SASE?

SASE discussions often involve multiple roles, even in early conversations:

• IT leaders evaluating future access models
• Security teams supporting Zero Trust initiatives
• Network professionals adapting connectivity to cloud delivery
• Business leaders focused on reducing complexity and risk

Because SASE spans both networking and security, early alignment across these teams often determines long-term success.

How to get started with Microsoft Global Secure Access

Microsoft Global Secure Access helps organizations begin their SASE journey by delivering identity-aware, cloud-delivered access controls. Here’s how to start:

• Deploy the traffic forwarding client to route user traffic through Microsoft’s global network for policy enforcement.
• Apply Conditional Access policies to enforce identity-based access decisions.
• Enable shadow AI visibility to monitor and control unsanctioned app usage.

These steps help organizations operationalize Zero Trust principles while building toward a full SASE architecture.

See Microsoft Global Secure Access in action

Getting started means building the right foundation

Getting started with SASE does not begin with tools or deployments. It begins with a shared understanding. SASE provides a way to think about secure access that is:

• Cloud-based
• Identity-driven
• Consistent across users and locations

For organizations navigating hybrid work and cloud adoption, understanding SASE concepts early helps create a foundation for designing secure access strategies that scale with the business.

Next Steps

• Explore Microsoft Global Secure Access documentation
• Take the Microsoft Learn Zero Trust modules
• Read related blogs on modern identity security strategies

 

-Sule Tatar, Senior Product Marketing Manager

 

Additional resources

• What Is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)? | Microsoft Security

• Identity and Network Security Practitioner Webinar Series | Microsoft Community Hub
• Replace your VPN — Global Secure Access in Microsoft Entra | Microsoft Community Hub

  

Learn more about Microsoft Entra

Prevent identity attacks, ensure least privilege access, unify access controls, and improve the experience for users with comprehensive identity and network access solutions across on-premises and clouds.

• ⁠Microsoft Entra News and Insights | Microsoft Security Blog
• ⁠⁠Microsoft Entra blog | Tech Community
• ⁠Microsoft Entra documentation | Microsoft Learn
• Microsoft Entra discussions | Microsoft Community