What Are the Top SASE Use Cases?

By combining network security and cloud-delivered access into one unified model, SASE simplifies complexity while strengthening cybersecurity posture. Understanding the top SASE use cases is essential for organizations looking to improve remote workforce security, secure their SaaS and multi-cloud environments, and reduce the burden on overstretched IT teams.

If you’re new to SASE and want a foundational overview of how VPN fits into the architecture, check out our resource here.  

Why should SASE be implemented?

Organizations are rapidly adopting SASE because it merges networking and security into a single cloud-native framework—reducing cost, increasing performance, and closing gaps left by legacy technologies.

Traditional architectures rely heavily on centralized traffic backhauling, physical firewalls, and fragile site-to-site tunnels. As businesses expand remote workforces, adopt SaaS applications, and migrate to hybrid-cloud environments, these older technologies create latency, inconsistent security controls, and higher operational overhead.

SASE solves these problems through integrated capabilities such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). Together, these services deliver a scalable and consistent security model for all users—no matter where they work or which resources they need to access.

Top SASE use cases overview

SASE addresses a wide range of challenges in modern IT environments. At a high level, SASE use cases include supporting secure remote work, protecting SaaS and cloud environments, simplifying branch connectivity, and reducing dependency on traditional VPNs and WAN architectures.

Its cloud-native model enables identity-driven access, traffic inspection at the edge, and continuous policy enforcement. For IT and security leaders, this provides a unified approach to combating shadow IT, ensuring SaaS security, improving data visibility, and managing distributed devices and networks with less complexity.

Below are the top secure access service edge use cases shaping today’s cybersecurity strategies.

Securing and empowering the remote workforce

Remote and hybrid workforces are now permanent fixtures in modern business operations. This shift requires network security that goes beyond perimeter-based defenses and embraces identity, device posture, and continuous verification.

SASE enables organizations to secure remote endpoints using ZTNA, adaptive access policies, and traffic inspection at the cloud edge. This eliminates the overreliance on traditional VPN concentrators while ensuring only authenticated users and compliant devices can access network resources.

Key capabilities include:

• Zero trust verification for every user, device, and session
• Real-time policy enforcement regardless of network location
• Protection against threats targeting remote endpoints
• Reduced exposure to shadow IT through centralized monitoring

Click here to explore how OpenVPN helps secure distributed teams. 

Enabling multi-cloud and SaaS security visibility

Most organizations now operate across multiple public cloud platforms and rely on dozens—sometimes hundreds—of SaaS applications. This creates visibility challenges, inconsistent security controls, and increased risk of data leakage.

SASE delivers unified monitoring and security across these environments through technologies such as:

• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Detects risky behaviors, enforces data policies, and controls application access.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Filters web traffic, blocks malware, and enforces acceptable-use policies.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive data from leaving sanctioned environments.

These tools allow security teams to manage SaaS security, detect shadow IT, and ensure compliance across multi-cloud resources—all from a centralized, cloud-delivered platform.

Simplifying branch and edge connectivity

Managing branch office connectivity traditionally required expensive MPLS links, complex routing hardware, and decentralized policy administration. As organizations expand geographically or integrate remote micro-branches, this model becomes difficult to scale.

SASE transforms how branch and edge networks operate by integrating security and networking services into a cloud-first solution. SD-WAN reduces reliance on costly hardware and optimizes bandwidth usage, while centralized policies ensure consistent security everywhere.

Benefits include:

• Faster branch deployments without complex physical infrastructure
• Policy enforcement at the cloud edge rather than at each location
• Improved performance through intelligent traffic routing
• Reduced hardware and maintenance costs

This makes SASE ideal for retailers, distributed enterprises, and businesses embracing edge computing.

Protecting SaaS applications

SaaS applications such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Slack form the backbone of modern collaboration and productivity. However, these cloud-hosted tools introduce new attack surfaces, especially when accessed from unmanaged or remote devices.

SASE enhances SaaS security by providing:

• Real-time threat detection and malware defense
• Context-aware access controls
• Granular policy rules defining who can access what—and under which conditions
• Continuous inspection of traffic entering and leaving cloud apps

By consolidating these protections into a cloud-native platform, organizations gain full visibility into SaaS usage and can enforce uniform security standards across all users and devices.

Replacing Traditional VPNs and WANs

Legacy VPNs and WAN technologies were designed for centralized, on-premises networks—not remote-first, cloud-first businesses. They create performance bottlenecks, require complex maintenance, and struggle to scale with distributed environments.

SASE modernizes secure access by combining networking and security functions into a global cloud edge. Instead of routing all traffic through a single VPN concentrator, SASE authenticates users at the nearest point of presence, applies zero trust policies, and connects them directly to the resources they need.

While traditional VPN is still critical in many environments, a next-gen VPN combined with ZTNA and cloud-delivered inspection capabilities enables a more seamless path toward a full SASE architecture. OpenVPN plays a key role here—providing secure remote access, device identity, and reliable connectivity that can integrate smoothly into broader SASE frameworks. While it seems on the surface to be counterintuitive, Access Server can bridge the gap between SASE and Zero Trust. 

SASE best practices

Implementing SASE successfully requires more than just adopting new technology. Organizations need a strategy that aligns business needs, IT capabilities, and long-term security goals.

Assess current infrastructure and requirements

Start by auditing existing network architecture, security tools, user needs, and cloud dependencies. Identify where legacy VPN, fragmented tools, or siloed controls create inefficiencies or gaps.

This assessment helps map the right SASE components—ZTNA, SWG, CASB, DLP, SD-WAN—to the organization’s actual challenges. A thoughtful evaluation prevents over-engineering and ensures smoother adoption.

Set clear objectives and collaboration among teams

Successful SASE deployments rely on cross-functional alignment. IT, security, compliance, and business units should work together to define:

• KPIs for performance, security, and user experience
• Clear milestones and deployment phases
• Governance requirements and reporting expectations

Since SASE touches nearly every aspect of network and security operations, early collaboration reduces friction and ensures consistent enforcement.

Phased implementation and continuous optimization

A staged rollout helps organizations adopt SASE without disrupting their current environment. Many begin by implementing ZTNA for remote access, then add SWG, CASB, SD-WAN, and DLP over time.

Continuous monitoring and policy tuning are essential. As new threats emerge, work patterns shift, and regulatory requirements evolve, SASE must remain adaptive and optimized.

Implement SASE effectively with OpenVPN

Access Server provides the foundation for secure connectivity in SASE frameworks. Whether you’re modernizing remote access, securing distributed endpoints, or preparing for a full SASE implementation, OpenVPN helps organizations build toward a more secure, scalable, and cloud-ready future.

With trusted next-gen VPN capabilities, identity-based access controls, and strong encryption, Access Server enables organizations to enhance security while simplifying operations—making it an essential part of your SASE journey.