SASE vendor selection - A guide for enterprise

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) continues to generate headlines as a disruptive new networking and security Vendor Selection. We have probably already heard some of the main talking points: SASE is not a product; it's a concept, a reference Vendor Selection. SASE will become the new normal within a few years, and finally, SASE is a journey. 

The SASE model is rapidly gaining ground. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 30% of enterprises will adopt most of the five SASE building blocks from the same vendor, including Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS). By 2025, Gartner says, more than 60% of companies will have SASE-specific strategies and timelines. Adopting this framework step by step takes time and planning.

However, you may not realise that you are probably already embarking on the SASE journey, even if you have not formalised SASE planning.

Understanding SASE security solutions

SASE integrates various security solutions and networking technologies to provide secure access to applications and data. The SASE architecture includes the following components:

• Cloud-native security features
• Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN)
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
• Secure Web Gateways (SWG)
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)

SASE use cases include remote access, branch connectivity, and cloud migration. Tata Communication benefits include increased agility, scalability, and reduced costs.

Key considerations for SASE vendor selection

SASE should be on your organisation's radar since work and productivity have radically changed. People are the new perimeter. Hybrid and remote workers need secure access to data and applications from everywhere. The traditional network security model, with an on-premises data centre at the corporate headquarters, simply cannot support this new paradigm, exposing your organisation to inefficiencies and risks. 

Gartner recommends that your security evolve to be more software-defined and cloud-based. The goal should be to simplify and converge as many networking and network security functions in the cloud as possible. SASE, in a nutshell, suggests that by adopting this architecture, you will mitigate security risks, minimise complexity, reduce latency, and improve application performance. The SASE journey takes an organisation from a traditional network/data centre model to a cloud-based architecture where networking and security converge.

Multiple signs that the SASE journey has already accelerated

Going SASE is essentially about accelerating – and securing – your journey to the cloud. Even before Gartner coined the phrase “SASE" in 2019, organisations had already adopted SASE elements as a natural course of their IT evolution: decentralising their networks and moving applications and data to the cloud.

But SASE's vision goes further. It purposefully converges core network and security components, aiming to integrate them as a single, simplified cloud service. Few organisations are close to achieving that goal. However, most of them are somewhere along the way, having adopted one or more of these seven components.

Your organisation is definitely on a SASE journey if at least one of these statements is true:

• SD-WAN: Has fully or partially adopted a flexible Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution

• Zero trust: Pursues zero trust security strategies and recognises their critical importance in hybrid work environments.

• Supplier consolidation: As contracts near renewal, you are consolidating suppliers and moving away from a multi-supplier approach.

• Cloud-based security: Instead of perimeter-based hardware and VPNs, you're implementing a cloud-native security service.

• Security policy: You are optimising security policy and using a consistent application regardless of location.

• User experience: You are improving traffic and application visibility inside and outside your network.

• Integration: You are incorporating perimeter security into network designs and improving network and security team collaboration.

Benefits of having SASE

SASE benefits those with security, governance, and data systems responsibilities for critical network tasks. It further includes intellectual property and employee protection, regardless of where or when they work.

• Comprehensive security thanks to zero trust: It achieves complete visibility, authentication, policy-based access control, and attack detection and response.

• Security from edge to cloud: Protect users and teams anytime, anywhere, from edge locations to the cloud, all in a single solution. SASE helps organisations overcome the security challenges of cloud computing and hybrid working.

• AI-powered customer visibility: SASE uses machine learning to detect and connect technical devices so you can assign access policies accordingly.

• Automated network security: SASE provides identity-based access control across all network domains for zero-trust protection. When manual methods prove infeasible, SASE addresses the challenges of network growth and increased data volume.

Tata Communications' Managed SASE Solutions bring these benefits to life for organisations. Our expert-designed and managed offerings provide a unified approach to security and networking, tailored to your specific needs.

Beware of SASE hype and misconceptions

Unfortunately, the concept of a SASE trip is riddled with misconceptions, so let's review two fundamental concepts:

• SASE is not a one-size-fits-all journey: The journey to SASE, including its starting and ending points, will differ for each organisation, depending on its business objectives, security policies, and existing IT investments. A SASE model does not require you to adopt technologies that do not fit your requirements.

• SASE should be prioritised but not rushed: The transition to a single vendor SASE will require careful planning, with a migration strategy that will likely take several years to implement. Be wary of any SASE sales pitch that pushes you to abandon existing IT investments or offer a SASE vendor solution that is not fully mature.

Determine where you are on your SASE journey and plan your next steps

Ready to advance in SASE? The first and most crucial step is to assess your environment to establish a starting line. Consider the seven components listed above as a base. Your SASE journey begins wherever you are, with a well-designed plan to adopt each solution component in the order that makes the most sense for your organisation. The journey to SASE has no single approach; we would not advise you to do it alone. Working with a solutions integrator who can identify where you are on your journey and propose the best solution tailored to your organisation's needs is essential.

Conclusion

SASE solutions offer a modern approach to network security, combining networking and security functions. For organisations considering SASE adoption, it's crucial to evaluate options carefully. Tata Communications' Managed SASE Solutions provide a flexible, integrated approach that can enhance security while improving network performance. Whether you're just starting your SASE journey or looking to optimise an existing setup, our team can help you navigate the process efficiently.