Most organisations no longer run on a single cloud. They have workloads in AWS, databases in Azure, legacy systems on-premise, and SaaS applications scattered everywhere. Each environment brings its own networking rules, security tools, and connectivity methods. Azure VPN Gateways work differently from AWS Direct Connect. Google Cloud has its own approach entirely.
This creates a patchwork of security that IT teams struggle to manage. Different consoles, different policies, different blind spots. When a developer needs access to a test environment in AWS while finance works in Salesforce and production data sits in a private cloud, traditional security models start to break.
SASE offers a different approach. Instead of managing separate security stacks for each cloud, you apply one consistent policy framework across all of them.
How SASE simplifies multi-cloud security
- Define identity-based access policies once in a single console
- Apply those policies to users regardless of which cloud they access
- Route traffic directly and securely to each destination without backhauling
- Use Zero Trust principles to grant access only to specific applications
- Add web security and threat protection that follows users everywhere
What SASE actually does
SASE combines networking and security into a single cloud-delivered service. The name stands for Secure Access Service Edge, but what matters is what it replaces.
Traditional setups route all traffic through a central datacenter for inspection. This made sense when applications lived in that datacenter. It makes less sense when your applications are spread across multiple clouds and your users work from anywhere.
SASE moves security to where users and applications actually are. Instead of forcing traffic through bottlenecks, it applies security policies at the point of access. The user connects, gets verified, and receives access only to what they need.
The core components work together. Zero Trust Network Access handles application access. SD-WAN optimises routing between locations. Secure Web Gateway and Firewall-as-a-Service provide threat protection and policy enforcement. Device posture checks verify that endpoints meet security requirements before granting access.
Why multi-cloud environments need a unified approach
Running workloads across multiple clouds is now standard practice. According to industry research, over 80% of enterprises use multiple cloud providers. The challenge is that each provider has built its own security model.
Azure expects you to configure VPN Gateways and Network Security Groups. AWS has Security Groups, NACLs, and Transit Gateways. Google Cloud uses VPC Service Controls and Cloud Armor. Each system works well on its own. Managing them together becomes a full-time job.
The real problem is consistency. When policies differ between clouds, gaps appear. An attacker who finds weak access controls in one environment can use that foothold to reach others. Lateral movement across clouds is harder to detect when each cloud has its own logging and monitoring stack.
A SASE platform abstracts this complexity. You write policies based on identity and application, not on cloud-specific constructs. The platform handles the translation.
Three advantages of SASE for multi-cloud
One policy, every cloud
In a multi-cloud environment, keeping security rules consistent is difficult. With SASE, you define the policy once. Whether a user accesses an application in Azure or retrieves a file from AWS, the same security rules apply.
This is where Zero Trust Network Access makes the biggest difference. Instead of giving users access to entire networks, ZTNA grants access only to specific applications. The developer gets the AWS test environment they need. Nothing else. The sales team reaches Salesforce. Not the production database.
This approach stops lateral movement. If credentials get compromised, the attacker can only reach what that user was authorised to access. They cannot pivot across clouds looking for valuable targets.
Better performance for users
Traditional VPNs often route cloud traffic back through the corporate datacenter first. A user in London accessing an application in AWS Frankfurt might have their traffic sent to a datacenter in Amsterdam, inspected, then forwarded to Frankfurt. This adds latency that users notice.
SASE routes traffic directly to its destination while still applying security controls. The platform maintains points of presence close to major cloud regions, so inspection happens near the source and destination. Users get faster access without sacrificing security.
This matters particularly for latency-sensitive applications. Video calls, real-time collaboration tools, and database queries all suffer when traffic takes unnecessary detours.
Cost reduction and operational simplicity
Running separate security stacks for each cloud adds up. VPN gateways, firewalls, inspection appliances, and monitoring tools all require licenses, maintenance, and expertise.
Cloud-native VPN solutions like Azure VPN Gateway charge based on connection hours and data transfer. Costs scale as usage grows. For organisations with hundreds of remote users or multiple sites, these charges become significant.
A SASE platform consolidates these functions. One subscription replaces multiple point products. IT teams manage everything from a single console rather than switching between cloud provider dashboards. This reduces configuration errors and speeds up troubleshooting.
For organisations subject to NIS2 or other compliance requirements, centralised logging and reporting simplify audits. All access decisions, policy changes, and security events appear in one place.
Isolation as an extra security layer
Even with good connectivity and access controls, the browser remains a risk. Users access cloud applications through web interfaces. A compromised cloud console or a malicious link in a web application can deliver malware directly to the endpoint.
This is where browser and web application isolation adds value. Instead of running web sessions directly on the user’s device, isolated sessions execute in a cloud container. The user sees and interacts with the application normally, but any malicious code stays contained in the isolated environment.
If an attacker compromises a cloud management interface or injects malicious code into a web application, that code runs in the isolation container. It never reaches the user’s laptop. When the session ends, the container disappears along with any threats it contained.
This approach provides defence in depth. ZTNA controls which applications users can access. Isolation ensures that even allowed applications cannot harm endpoints.
What this looks like in practice
Consider an organisation with developers who need access to servers in AWS, a sales team working in Salesforce, and financial data stored in a private cloud.
Without SASE, developers juggle multiple VPN clients and deal with slow connections when working across environments. IT configures and maintains separate firewalls for each cloud. Access rules drift out of sync. Troubleshooting requires checking multiple systems.
With SASE, everyone logs in through a single portal. The developer authenticates once and receives direct, secure access to the specific AWS resources they need. ZTNA ensures they cannot reach anything beyond their assigned applications. The sales team accesses Salesforce through the same portal, with browser isolation protecting their sessions from web-based threats.
IT manages policies, monitors access, and reviews logs from one console. When a new application gets added to any cloud, a single policy update grants appropriate access. Compliance reporting pulls from one source rather than aggregating data from multiple systems.
Getting started
Migrating to SASE for multi-cloud connectivity does not require replacing everything at once. Most organisations start with specific use cases.
Remote access is often the first step. Replace cloud-specific VPN gateways with ZTNA for key applications. This delivers immediate benefits in user experience and security posture while building familiarity with the platform.
Branch connectivity comes next for organisations with multiple sites. SD-WAN provides resilient, optimised connections between locations and clouds without managing separate network equipment at each site.
Web security can be enabled quickly for all users. A Secure Web Gateway applies consistent threat protection and acceptable use policies regardless of which cloud users access.
Legacy and OT integration addresses devices that cannot run agents. Printers, IoT sensors, and industrial equipment connect through inline isolation appliances that enforce Zero Trust controls without requiring software installation.
Ready to simplify multi-cloud security?
Managing security across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and on-premise environments does not have to mean managing separate security stacks for each. SASE provides the architecture to secure every cloud from one console, with consistent policies and clear visibility.
Book a demo to see how Jimber makes multi-cloud connectivity simple and secure.
Frequently asked questions
What is SASE?
SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) combines networking and security functions in a single cloud-delivered service. It includes Zero Trust Network Access, SD-WAN, Secure Web Gateway, and Firewall-as-a-Service, all managed from one console.
How does SASE differ from using each cloud provider’s built-in security?
Cloud providers offer strong security tools, but each works differently. SASE provides a unified policy layer that works across all clouds. You define access rules once instead of configuring each cloud separately.
Can SASE replace our Azure VPN Gateway or AWS Direct Connect?
SASE can replace VPN gateways for user access to cloud applications. For site-to-site connectivity, SD-WAN provides an alternative to dedicated connections with better flexibility and often lower cost. Some organisations maintain direct connections for specific high-bandwidth workloads while using SASE for everything else.
What about devices that cannot run agents?
NIAC hardware provides inline isolation for printers, IoT devices, and industrial equipment. These devices connect through the isolation appliance, which enforces access controls without requiring software on the device itself.
How does SASE help with NIS2 compliance?
SASE provides centralised logging of all access decisions, policy changes, and security events. Identity-based access controls demonstrate least-privilege principles. The unified audit trail simplifies compliance reporting and incident investigation.
Is SASE suitable for mid-market organisations?
Yes. Modern SASE platforms are designed for fast deployment and straightforward management. Mid-market organisations benefit particularly from consolidating multiple tools into one platform, reducing both cost and operational complexity.w
