Share Via
Table of Content
What are SASE vendors?
SASE vendors provide network infrastructure solutions that combine WAN and network security services into a single, unified cloud-based offering. They offer services such as Software-Defined Networking in a Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Secure Web Gateways.
Some notable SASE vendors include Cloudflare, Akamai, Netskope, Palo Alto Networks, Versa Networks, and Zscaler among others. These vendors help businesses securely connect and protect their distributed network and remote users, providing flexibility, scalability, and improved network performance.
Why is a SASE vendor important?
SASE vendors are crucial in modern network security due to the growing complexity of managing and securing distributed networks. Organizations today operate with a mix of on-premises, cloud-based, and remote work environments, which traditional network security architectures struggle to protect effectively.
SASE vendors offer a unified approach, reducing the attack surface by applying consistent security policies and providing seamless access controls. This ensures better protection against cyber threats, simplifies compliance, and enhances the overall security posture of the organization.
Why choose a SASE vendor?
Choosing a SASE vendor brings several advantages to an organization’s network infrastructure. First, it simplifies network and security management by converging multiple security functions into a single platform. This reduces the need for multiple point solutions, which can be complex to integrate and manage.
SASE vendors also offer scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to quickly adapt to changing business needs and user demands.
Lastly, by leveraging cloud-native architectures, SASE vendors provide enhanced performance and reliability, ensuring secure and seamless connectivity for all users, whether they are on-premises, remote, or mobile.
Nile Access Service supports SASE offerings through simple integration, unifying a zero-trust campus architecture with that of the cloud model embraced by the SASE vendors. From a campus and branch perspective, Nile offers an enhanced security model that extends to on-premises IoT devices. Nile’s security implementation is unique in that it supports Layer 3 segmentation and the isolation of each connected device on Day one.
What to look for in a SASE implementation partner?
Selecting the right SASE implementation partner is critical for a successful deployment. The ideal partner should possess deep expertise in SASE technologies and a proven track record of successful implementations. Assess their ability to provide comprehensive support throughout the entire deployment process, including planning, execution, and post-implementation. Look for a partner that offers tailored solutions to meet your organization’s specific needs and can integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure.
How to evaluate SASE vendors
Security features
When evaluating SASE vendors, prioritize a comprehensive range of security features defined under a Secure Services Edge (SSE) offering. Ensure the solution includes secure web gateways, firewall as a service, zero-trust network access, and cloud access security brokers. Look for advanced threat detection and response capabilities to protect against sophisticated cyber threats. Verify that these features are seamlessly integrated into a unified platform for ease of management.
Network performance and reliability
Assess the vendor’s network performance and reliability by examining their uptime guarantees and ability to handle high traffic volumes. Investigate the underlying infrastructure to ensure it can support your organization’s requirements. Evaluate performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss to ensure consistent and reliable connectivity. Consider the vendor’s approach to redundancy and disaster recovery to minimize downtime.
Integration with existing infrastructure
Evaluate how well the SASE solution integrates with your current IT infrastructure. Compatibility with existing hardware, software, and network configurations is essential to avoid costly overhauls. Look for vendors offering APIs and connectors for seamless integration with other security and network management tools. Assess the ease of deployment and ongoing management to ensure minimal disruption to your operations.
Scalability
This is crucial as your organization grows and evolves. Choose a SASE vendor that can scale with your business, accommodating an increasing number of users, devices, and geographies. Verify that the solution can handle dynamic workloads and adapt to fluctuating network demands. Ensure the vendor offers flexible pricing models that align with your growth trajectory.
Compliance and regulatory standards
Ensure the SASE vendor complies with industry standards and regulations relevant to your organization. Review certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR to ensure adherence to best practices in data security and privacy. Evaluate the vendor’s ability to support your compliance requirements, including detailed audit trails and reporting capabilities. Assess their commitment to staying current with evolving regulatory landscapes.
Customer support and service level agreements (SLAs)
Customer support and SLAs are critical for maintaining operational stability. Evaluate the vendor’s support structure, including availability, response times, and expertise. Look for comprehensive SLAs that outline performance guarantees, support response times, and remediation processes. Consider customer reviews and case studies to gauge the vendor’s track record in supporting their clients effectively.
Total cost of ownership
Consider the total cost of ownership when evaluating SASE vendors. Beyond the initial investment, account for ongoing maintenance, support, and upgrade costs. Evaluate the long-term value the vendor provides, balancing cost against the benefits of enhanced security and simplified management. Ensure transparency in pricing to avoid hidden fees that could impact your budget.
What key features should your SASE/SSE solution have?
Secure web gateway
A secure web gateway (SWG) is essential for protecting against web-based threats. It should provide real-time filtering of web traffic to block malicious sites and content. Advanced SWGs offer deep packet inspection and content analysis to prevent data exfiltration and ensure compliance. Integration with cloud services is crucial for seamless protection of remote users.
Firewall as a service
Firewall as a service (FWaaS) provides centralized and scalable firewall capabilities. It should offer stateful inspection, intrusion prevention, and application control to secure network traffic. Look for solutions that provide granular policy enforcement and are capable of handling high throughput. The service should integrate with your existing security infrastructure for comprehensive threat management.
Zero-trust network access
Zero-trust network access (ZTNA) ensures secure access to applications and data based on strict identity verification. Implement ZTNA to enforce least-privilege access principles, ensuring users only access what they need. Look for solutions that offer continuous monitoring and adaptive access controls. Integration with identity and access management (IAM) systems is critical for effective implementation.
Cloud access security broker
A cloud access security broker (CASB) provides visibility and control over data in cloud applications. It should offer capabilities like data loss prevention, encryption, and threat protection. Ensure the CASB can enforce security policies across multiple cloud services and integrates with your existing security stack. Real-time monitoring and anomaly detection are key features for maintaining cloud security.
Advanced threat protection
Advanced threat protection (ATP) is crucial for defending against sophisticated cyber attacks. The solution should include capabilities like sandboxing, behavioral analysis, and machine learning to detect and mitigate threats. Ensure it provides comprehensive coverage across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Integration with threat intelligence feeds can enhance the effectiveness of ATP.
Data loss prevention
Data loss prevention (DLP) helps safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access and exfiltration. The DLP solution should provide robust policies for data classification, monitoring, and enforcement. Look for features like content discovery, encryption, and context-based rules to protect data at rest, in transit, and in use. Integration with other security tools is vital for a cohesive security posture.
What are some common SASE vendors?
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks offers a SASE solution called Prisma Access, which is renowned for its advanced security capabilities and unified management. Prisma Access includes features like firewall as a service, zero-trust network access, and advanced threat protection. The solution provides seamless integration with existing Palo Alto security products.
Pros:
- Advanced and comprehensive security features
- Unified management interface
- Strong integration with Palo Alto’s existing security tools
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Premium pricing
Zscaler
Zscaler is a cloud-native SASE vendor that excels in providing secure web gateways and cloud access security brokers. Their solution emphasizes zero-trust principles and real-time threat protection. Zscaler’s global cloud infrastructure ensures low latency and high reliability for users worldwide.
Pros:
- Strong focus on zero-trust security
- Global cloud infrastructure for low latency
- Real-time threat protection
Cons:
- Limited integration with on-premises systems
- May require significant changes to existing network architecture
VMware
VMware’s SASE solution, VMware Secure Access, combines SD-WAN capabilities with comprehensive security features. The solution integrates secure web gateways, zero-trust network access, and advanced threat protection. VMware’s focus on cloud-native architectures ensures scalability and flexibility.
Pros:
- Integration of SD-WAN and security features
- Cloud-native architecture for scalability
- Comprehensive security capabilities
Cons:
- Can be complex to manage
- Higher initial investment
Which SASE vendor is best for you?
Choosing the perfect SASE vendor depends on your organization’s specific needs and priorities. Consider factors such as security requirements, network performance, integration capabilities, cost and scalability. Evaluate how well each vendor aligns with your IT infrastructure and long-term goals. Additionally, assess the total cost of ownership and the level of support each vendor provides to ensure a seamless implementation and ongoing management.
What’s the future of SASE vendors?
The future with SASE vendors promises continued innovation and evolution in network security and management. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services and remote work models, the demand for integrated, cloud-native security solutions will grow. SASE vendors will likely enhance their offerings with more advanced threat detection, AI-driven analytics, and automated response capabilities.
The convergence of network and security functions into a single platform will simplify IT operations, reduce costs, and improve overall security posture. Furthermore, SASE solutions will become more adaptive and scalable, enabling organizations to swiftly respond to changing business needs and emerging threats. This evolution will help ensure that organizations remain secure and resilient in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Consider a universal zero trust approach with Nile
Explore how Nile Access Service sets a new standard for secure connectivity across your campus and branch locations. By radically reducing the potential attack surface and automatically locking down any malware/ransomware presence to only infected devices, Nile orchestrates zero-trust isolation of each connected user and device within its wired and wireless access network fabric.
By eliminating the traditional complexities of ACLs and VLANs, Nile makes it easy to enforce global security policies across your growing enterprise network for better visibility, performance, and reliability. This means that as users come to the office, their devices maintain a high degree of security that is unique and differentiates Nile from traditional network vendors.
Don’t leave your network, users and data vulnerable. Authenticate and isolate all internal and guest users and devices with Nile’s built-in zero trust security features.
Discover how to take your network security to the next level.
