SASE Hot Take with Andrew Wertkin & Jim Williams

DNS is important for SASE deployments because it acts as a foundational network service that enables name resolution, policy enforcement, and traffic steering which SASE relies upon to connect users and apply security controls. As SASE converges networking and security functions, DNS provides the critical infrastructure for directing clients to the appropriate security services and enforcing access decisions. Without resilient and secure DNS, SASE solutions can suffer degraded connectivity, incorrect routing of traffic, and reduced ability to block or filter threats, undermining the intended operational and security benefits.

Integrating DNS with SASE addresses real-world problems of complexity in hybrid and distributed environments by providing a consistent, centralized point for resolution and policy application. It helps manage diverse user locations and cloud services by steering requests to correct enforcement points and reducing latency through intelligent resolution. Additionally, DNS integration enhances security posture by enabling earlier detection and blocking of malicious domains and by ensuring that security controls are applied reliably across all edges, which supports more effective threat mitigation and fewer operational disruptions.

If DNS is not considered in SASE strategies, organizations may experience operational impacts such as unreliable connectivity, misdirected traffic, and ineffective policy enforcement, all of which can degrade user experience and productivity. Security outcomes can also suffer because DNS-based controls that block or detect malicious domains may be absent or inconsistent, reducing the overall effectiveness of the SASE security stack. In short, neglecting DNS undermines the convergence goals of SASE and can prevent organizations from achieving the intended improvements in both networking performance and security posture.