Evaluating SASE Service Providers: Key Factors to Consider for Your Organisation

In the swiftly evolving landscape of network and security solutions, the assessment of SASE service providers has risen to a paramount position for organisations. SASE presents an auspicious avenue to streamline and contemporise IT infrastructure by seamlessly integrating networking and security functionalities. 

To guarantee a congruous alignment between the selected provider and the organisation's goals, a range of considerations must be taken into account throughout the selection process. The evaluation of SASE service providers should encompass pivotal criteria outlined below, facilitating enterprises to craft judicious decisions in pursuit of a digitally secure and agile future.

Understanding SASE (Secure Access Service Edge)

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) signifies a transformative shift in the realm of network and security architecture. Within this framework, remote users and branch offices can securely and effortlessly access applications and data via a cloud-based structure that harmonises networking and security functionalities. 

The integration of these services not only boosts scalability but also streamlines management, all the while maintaining consistent security standards across the entire network.

In today's business landscape, characterised by distributed and cloud-centric operations, where the essence of flexibility, performance, and safeguarding reign supreme, this approach is exceptionally pertinent. 

Evaluating your organisation's SASE needs

Following the inception of the term by Gartner, vendors swiftly repositioned themselves to engage in discussions around SASE. Each vendor prioritised the SASE components that aligned with their strengths, potentially leaving gaps in their comprehensive solutions.

Although we have gained a more comprehensive understanding of SASE, a degree of confusion persists. 

How can one sift through the information overload to identify the optimal SASE solution?

Some of the globe's most sizable organisations are currently scrutinising SASE solutions within our Advanced Technology Center. Simultaneously, they are employing five evaluation criteria to refine their selection process, seeking the most suitable fit for their requirements.

1. Operational simplicity : The SASE providers that are achieving the highest level of success in the market have transitioned their focus from the technical aspects of SASE. Instead, they're directing their attention towards how their solutions can streamline IT operations. There are four key domains you can explore to assess the extent to which a SASE solution will streamline IT operations.

• Swift activation: How effortless is it for the IT team to swiftly set up policies for a large number of users or locations? 
• Scalable licensing: Does the vendor offer a straightforward method to adjust service usage to meet varying demands, whether it's increasing or decreasing the scale? 
• Policy adaptability: Can IT promptly and uniformly enforce business policies across all locations? 
• User interaction: Is it convenient for IT to visualise sessions passing through the SASE service and modify policy handling?

2. Analytics, telemetry and visibility : SASE solutions necessitate organisations to delegate a significant portion of user experience evaluation and security policy enforcement to a vendor. 
   SASE solutions are expected to furnish thorough analytics and transparency pertaining to user experience, activities, network traffic, and security incidents. These analytics should empower IT teams to identify and counteract potential problems, while the visibility should offer instantaneous insights into network efficiency, user conduct, and compliance status. 
   These functionalities are not only essential for efficient IT operations but also instill faith in a SASE solution. They reassure IT that they still maintain the accustomed visibility into performance and security.

3. Sophisticated and resilient security capabilities : SASE solutions need to encompass an inclusive array of integrated security functionalities. These capabilities should possess the capacity to promptly identify and counter potential threats, thereby guaranteeing data confidentiality and security. 
   These security features ought to be unified and provided as a unified solution, eliminating the need for multiple disjointed products. Numerous solutions available in the market satisfy the technical requisites of being considered SASE; however, their advanced security capabilities can diverge substantially. When evaluating SASE solutions, it's crucial to consider the following capabilities:

4. Comprehend your use cases : It's a frequent practice to juxtapose various solutions for comparison. Although this aids in grasping distinctions between solutions, it doesn't inherently ensure that a solution aligns with your specific requirements. Gaining a clear understanding of your use cases, encompassing aspects like facilitating a hybrid workforce, enabling cloud access, embracing Zero Trust network access, and more, empowers you to pinpoint your exact needs. Armed with this insight, you are better equipped to make a well-informed choice of the suitable solution.

5. User experience : SASE solutions need to offer a smooth, intuitive, and uniform experience across various devices, applications, and geographical locations. Users should have the ability to swiftly and effortlessly access resources and applications, devoid of interruptions or delays.

A strategic assessment of your network and security requirements is required to evaluate your SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) needs. Start by identifying remote access requirements, branch connectivity, and application dependencies. Balance performance and security requirements with scalability for future growth. Assess whether the infrastructure can be integrated with existing systems and whether regulatory requirements will be met. With sase vendor capabilities aligned with your organisation's unique demands, you can ensure that your network architecture is secure and agile.

Key factors to consider when choosing a SASE service provider

The selection of the right SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) service provider involves several crucial factors. For seamless connectivity, evaluate their global network reach and reliability. Sase vendor assess their security features, such as their Zero Trust principles and ability to detect threats. Integration with your existing infrastructure and applications should be considered when choosing a provider. 

Performance, scalability, and ease of management are also important considerations. You should also consider the provider's track record and the quality of their customer service. With these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision that matches your organisation's needs both today and in the future.

Selecting the right SASE service provider for your organisation

For your organisation's network and security infrastructure, it is crucial to select the right SASE service providers. Make sure providers have a robust global network, comprehensive security features, and seamless integration capabilities. It is also important to ensure scalability, performance, and efficiency in management. A reliable partnership depends on the reputation and customer support of the company. With meticulous evaluation of these factors, you can select a SASE provider that aligns with your organisation's goals, delivering enhanced security and network performance.

Ensuring a smooth transition to SASE

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) implementation requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition. Identify the current network and security architecture by conducting a thorough assessment. Prepare a migration strategy that outlines the sequence of implementation, taking into account remote users, branch offices, and critical applications with sase solution providers. Maintain communication throughout the process to keep stakeholders informed. Provide comprehensive training for your IT staff before deploying the SASE solution. As you fine-tune the new setup, regular monitoring and adjustments will be necessary. These steps will help your organisation make the transition to a more secure and agile network paradigm.

Key challenges and mitigation strategies in SASE implementation

Key challenges in SASE implementation:

• Complexity of integration: Diverse security and networking technologies can be difficult to integrate within a unified SASE framework.
• Enhancing performance: With traffic shifting to the cloud, ensuring consistent and reliable network performance can be challenging.
• Maintaining security consistency: In a distributed environment, it can be challenging to maintain uniform security policies, which may lead to vulnerabilities and inconsistent protection.
• Remote access management: Maintaining user experience while managing remote access for employees can be challenging, particularly in a hybrid workplace.

Mitigation Strategies:

• An approach based on modularity: Implement modular solutions and APIs to facilitate the seamless integration of diverse components within the SASE architecture.
• Selecting a provider: Make sure your network architecture is scalable to these changes by choosing SASE providers with strong global networks optimised for cloud traffic.
•  A zero-trust approach: To ensure consistent application of security policies, implement a Zero Trust security model that enforces strict access controls.
• The centralisation of management: Integrate centralised security policy enforcement and remote access management tools to streamline security policy enforcement.
• Training for employees: To mitigate potential pitfalls, provide your workforce with comprehensive training on SASE usage, security protocols, and remote access best practices.

Through strategic mitigation strategies, organisations can navigate the complexities of SASE implementation, improve network performance, and increase agility.

Conclusion

An evaluation of SASE service providers remains an important step for organisations looking to enhance their digital infrastructure in the dynamic landscape of network and security solutions. Taking into consideration factors such as global reach, security features, scalability, and integration capabilities will allow businesses to make informed decisions that align with their unique requirements. To establish a secure, agile, and future-proof network environment, an organisation should carefully select its SASE provider. In the modern world of connectivity and security challenges, making a well-considered choice in SASE provider is key.