What is SASE, What is SSE — And What’s the Difference? (No Jargon)

Let’s Keep It Simple

If you’ve been hearing about SASE and SSE and thought,

“Is this just another security acronym I need to pretend to understand?”

You’re not alone.

The good news? These aren’t just buzzwords. They’re real solutions to a real problem:

How do you keep users, apps, and data secure — when nothing sits in one place anymore?


What is SASE (Secure Access Service Edge)?

SASE (pronounced “sassy”) is a way to deliver networking and security from the cloud — instead of from a central data centre.

Think of it like this:

Imagine building a company with remote staff, multiple cloud apps, and zero physical offices.

Do you really want everyone backhauling through a single firewall in your HQ?

SASE lets you:

  • Securely connect users to apps wherever they are
  • Use identity, device, and risk to control access
  • Replace VPNs, firewalls, and proxies with a single cloud-delivered service

Core ingredients of SASE:

  • SD-WAN (smart routing)
  • Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)
  • Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
  • Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

It’s networking + security, delivered as one cloud platform.


What is SSE (Security Service Edge)?

SSE is a subset of SASE — the security side only.

It skips the networking part (like SD-WAN) and focuses purely on:

  • Securing access to apps (like ZTNA)
  • Protecting web usage (via SWG)
  • Controlling cloud data (via CASB)
  • Monitoring user behaviour (via DLP and analytics)

In plain English:

SSE is like the “security-as-a-service” toolbox.
You can bolt it onto any network — whether you’re using SD-WAN, MPLS, VPN, or DIA.


So, What’s the Difference?

Feature SASE SSE
Includes networking ✅ (e.g. SD-WAN)
Includes security
Use case Full cloud-based network + security Security add-on for any network
Ideal for Companies modernising both WAN and security Orgs that already have WAN sorted


Real-World Scenarios

If you’re…

  • A global firm with outdated MPLS or VPN
  • Ready to modernise both network and security

👉 You need SASE

If you’re…

  • Already on SD-WAN or DIA
  • Just want to upgrade security and access control

👉 You need SSE


Where Teknow Comes In

We help companies:

  • Understand where SASE or SSE fits into their existing setup
  • Select and deploy vendor-neutral solutions (Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Zscaler)
  • Build Zero Trust frameworks that are simple to manage
  • Phase the rollout — no “rip and replace”

Whether you’re going full SASE or starting with SSE — we design for security, scale, and simplicity.


Final Thought

SASE and SSE aren’t just acronyms. They’re:

  • Smarter ways to secure your users and data
  • Delivered from the cloud, not a rack
  • Built for how we work now — remote, hybrid, cloud-first


🛡️ Not Sure If You Need SASE or SSE?

Let Teknow run a quick assessment of your current access, risk, and cloud strategy — and recommend the right path.

Book a Security Architecture Review →


#TeknowSecurity #SASE #SSE #ZeroTrust #CloudSecurity #ZTNA #SWG #CASB #RemoteWorkSecurity #ModernInfrastructure


Get Free Consultation

calendar booking