Palo Alto Networks Creates SASE Package for Hybrid Businesses

OEM Palo Alto Networks has bundled its SD-WAN and security technologies to deliver an integrated, cloud-based Secure Edge Access Service (SASE) offering designed to simplify distributed businesses. Called Prisma SASE, the solution brings together the set of next-generation security gateways based on the Prisma Access cloud and SD-WAN Prisma technology, obtained with the acquisition of CloudGenix for $ 420 million last year.

Prisma SASE offers customers an integrated package that supports all aspects of secure access control, advanced threat protection and user behavior monitoring, as well as support for network access to zero trust, secure web gateway, security broker for cloud access, firewall as a service (FWaaS) and SD-WAN technology. The idea is to offer a single cloud-based solution to secure all applications used by customers’ employees, regardless of their location – remote, mobile or in the office, says Anand Oswal, senior vice president of products. , Firewall as a Platform at Palo Alto Networks.

Un back-up 5G

In addition to the basic functionality of Prisma SASE, Palo Alto markets the Prisma SD-WAN – ION 1200 – appliance which can use 5G networks to link branch offices for networking and backup communications, as well as to connect ATM kiosks . It can use any operator’s 5G network, and can fall back to 4G / LTE if 5G is not available, Oswal said. The device can use two SIM cards for active-active 5G interfaces that provide operator redundancy for business critical use cases. “We are seeing increased interest in using 5G as the primary WAN connection with this new capability,” Oswal said.

Prisma SASE also supports Palo Alto’s Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM) monitoring and management platform, which provides visibility into endpoints, WAN links, cloud resources, applications and traffic levels. to help troubleshoot performance issues. This allows organizations to gain end-to-end visibility from a single management console without having to deploy additional agents or devices, Oswal said.

Real-time traffic analysis

ADEM is also integrated into all SD-WAN Prisma appliances to help deliver the best digital experience for branch office users by providing observability in the cloud and across the entire service delivery path, including all WAN links, Anand Oswal explained. “Additionally, you can leverage real and synthetic traffic analysis for both user endpoints and IoT devices to easily identify issues,” said the manager of Palo Alto. Another feature is the built-in support for additional CloudBlades, which provide Prisma SASE with pre-built support for various cloud services. The company has some 20 CloudBlades, including for AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. It has now added support for ServiceNow, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.