The digital perimeter keeps on transforming every second, which creates a problem for traditional network security. Users are operating from everywhere, their offices, homes, and airports, leading to the growth and extension of traditional data centres. Hence, we witness the need for SASE.
SASE is not just a terminology, it delivers tangible value through integrated security and networking capabilities. SASE essentially binds a set of network security functions and services like SWG, CASB, ZTNA, and FWaaS into a single cloud service. But this solution reaches full potential only when linked with identity-centric security. So let us explore that further.
Why Identity Matters?
The businesses don`t use static IPs and fixed infrastructure anymore. So why would security use the same mechanisms? Identity-centric security does not trust location or device, it is concerned with who is inquiring access to the network, what is sought to be accessed, and the reason behind it.
Since identity is at the forefront of access control, it is dynamic and contextual; for example, a user logging in with an unknown device from a foreign country will not be granted access, as much as a user sitting in the office with a verified device will be given access. This is another example of risk alignment.
SASE + Identity = Smarter Security
SASE facilitates the enforcement of policy in the most satisfactory way. Secured with verified identities and/or adaptive risk assessment, intelligent access control becomes enforceable in real-time. Tata Communications’ SASE services indeed embrace such integration from a zero-trust perspective for deep visibility and enforcement of policies across users, devices, and applications.
This means, for businesses:
- Access is no longer an “all or nothing” choice.
- Permissions change based on role, device health, location, and behaviour.
- Threats neutralised before they execute lateral movement.
Aligning Access with Risk
Productivity must be preserved, but unresolved issues cannot be overlooked. There should be an alignment with access to maintain the balance.
For instance, if the sales team is attending a roadshow and needs to access data. SASE, combined with these identity-driven policies, provides a secure access mechanism. The system automatically enters conditional-access state when it detects a suspicious user account or suspicious login, where it may ask for step-up authentication, and if not provided, it will time out the session or disable access.
Conclusion
The old security models are becoming outdated. With cloud apps, remote working, and shadow IT, the security perimeter is getting vandalised more and more these days. It could be said that this is not just a secure network supporting the business, but one that actively defines and reinforces its identity.
Unlike other notions, SASE is not just about assets and technical controls. It is about easy, secure, anywhere, anytime work. SASE by Tata Communications binds risk-based unified control with visibility and access.
Fundamentally, it guarantees that access is precisely aligned: the right user, the right privileges, and the right safeguards, every time.
