From complexity to clarity: How value-added services simplify SASE adoption

Introduction

Enterprise IT architecture is becoming increasingly complex as businesses transition to hybrid workforces, embrace IoT, and adopt multi-cloud environments. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has emerged as a revolutionary framework to simplify this complexity by uniting network and security functions on cloud-native platforms.

While SASE provides a robust foundation, the implementation process can be daunting. This is where Value-Added Services (VAS) come into play. This blog explores the SASE deployment challenges and the critical role of value-added services in simplifying SASE implementation and optimising network performance.

SASE: More than just buying an off-the-shelf product

SASE offers a comprehensive framework to unify enterprise networking and security, but its implementation comes with significant complexities. The numerous components of SASE—such as SD-WAN, FWaaS, CASB, and ZTNA—require seamless integration, skilled expertise, and efficient operations to deliver their full potential. However, enterprises often face challenges that can delay deployments and impact performance, including:

• Integration complexities: Enterprises often need help to align SASE into their existing network and security infrastructure. Misalignments can delay deployments and compromise performance.
• Resource and skill gaps: Managing SASE technologies like SD-WAN, FWaaS, and ZTNA etc., demands specialised expertise who understand the nuances of SASE deployment and management demands effectively.
• Operational inefficiencies: With proper guidance, SASE deployments can avoid downtime, misconfigurations, and increased vulnerabilities.

How strategically created VAS packs eliminate deployment hurdles

A partnership with an expert managed SASE provider with the mix of right modular Value-Added-Services can help overcome these hurdles and unlock the full potential of SASE.

Strategically created Modular VAS packs are designed to address these pain points, providing targeted solutions that reduce complexities and enhance the SASE adoption process. This brings a sense of relief, knowing that there are solutions to the challenges. These VAS services are supplementary solutions that enhance the performance, reliability, and security of SASE deployments. They simplify adoption by offering:

• Comprehensive assessment: A comprehensive network and security assessment, identifies your unique requirements, security gaps, uncover potential challenges, and develop a tailored SASE strategy. 
• Predictable and error-free delivery: Standardised configurations and scripts, methodologies, automated workflows ensure SASE is deployed accurately, minimising risks during implementation​.
• Proactive monitoring and threat detection: VAS leverage AI-driven insights to detect threats in real-time, ensuring a robust security posture while reducing manual oversight.
• Real-time policy validation and updates: Policies can be dynamically validated and updated to align with evolving compliance standards and enterprise needs, keeping systems agile.

With these services, VAS transforms SASE from a tactical deployment into a comprehensive solution for secure, scalable, and future-ready networks.

Benefits in subscribing to SASE Value-Added Services (VAS)

By leveraging such a suite of value-added services, enterprises can significantly enhance their SASE experience and achieve numerous benefits.

• Faster time-to-market: Achieve predictable and error free delivery with pretested workflows and methodologies expedite deployments, minimising downtime.
• Enhanced security: Integrating the SASE stack with advanced automated threat detection and incident response mechanisms to further reduce risks from both known and emerging threats.
• Optimised user experience: Seamless traffic routing and intuitive onboarding processes improve productivity for hybrid workforces.
• Operational resilience: With continuous monitoring and proactive management, businesses can prevent disruptions and maintain peak performance.

In terms of use cases, enterprises can leverage modular VAS packs to maximise the potential of their SASE adoption. As a result, these companies can then achieve faster deployment and a more secure, user-friendly network​ by integrating proactive monitoring tools and real-time policy updates, which lead to significant reduction in deployment times and security incidents.

Five key considerations when choosing a SASE VAS provider

Brain Washburn, Research Director, Omdia Consulting advises enterprises who want to get the most value from should choose an expert partner, set a clear vision and goals, and finally match tools to the requirement. 

He also highlights insights from the research of 500+ enterprise IT decision makers using SASE (SDWAN/SSE), where he shares high satisfaction engaging a Telco as a lead partner for your SDWAN to SDWAN 2.0 and further to SASE transformation journey with security expertise. Check out the latest webinar here. 

Enterprises should consider:

1. Expertise in security and networking technologies: Look for providers with deep knowledge of SASE components like SD-WAN, FWaaS, and ZTNA. A telecom partner with strong security capabilities can offer added advantage with more control of the underlay and overlay network.
2. First-time-right implementations: Opt for providers with proven methodologies, tools, which ensure efficient and error-free deployment​ and maximise your investments with on-going management.
3. Track record to transition SDWAN to SASE: Proven experience in delivering scalable, secure SASE implementations is critical. Look for success stories with global deployments in deployment, integration, Management
4. Scalability and customisation: Providers should offer modular VAS packs that can adapt to the unique requirements of different enterprises.
5. Transparent SLAs and pricing: Strong Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) and transparent pricing models ensure accountability and build trust.

The future of provisioning SASE VAS: The Tata Communications imperative

As enterprises continue to adopt SASE, the demand for innovative VAS will grow. Key trends shaping the future include AI-driven automation, namely advanced automation tools that will predict threats, optimise policies, and enhance scalability, as well as cloud-native VAS that are tailored for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. 

With these solutions set to address the evolving needs of modern businesses, Tata Communications stands out as a trusted partner for SASE deployments with its robust suite of modular VAS packs and industry-leading expertise. This includes, but is not limited to:

• AXIOM^TM Methodology: Tata Communications’ “Assess, Execute, Integrate, Operate, and Manage” approach ensures seamless, reliable, and future-proof implementations. This methodology involves a comprehensive assessment of the enterprise’s network and security needs, seamless integration of VAS packs into the SASE framework, efficient operation of the system, and proactive management to ensure continuous improvement. Read more about the components of our VAS services and AXIOM^TM methodology here.
• Connect & Protect: Improved performance and predictable connectivity with end-to-end carrier-grade underlay and overlay connectivity solution. Real-time threat protection with 8k+ IOCs identified and blocked daily.
• Proven leadership: A global leader in network and security services, recognised as leaders with leading Analyst firms like Gartner Magic Quadrant for more than a decade, MEF and ISG for SDWAN & SASE and SSE.
• Simplified Tailored solutions: Offerings like integrating SASE with advanced threat detection and mitigation services, ProCare, mBYON, etc enable enterprises to customise their SASE journey​ as per their specifications.

In the complex world of SASE adoption, VAS simplify deployments, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency. Partnering with a trusted innovator like Tata Communications ensures that enterprises can unlock VAS’ full potential and future-proof their digital transformation journey. Ready to transform your network? Explore how Tata Communications can guide your journey to secure, scalable, and efficient SASE adoption.