Ransomware makes up 154 million of the threats Cisco blocks monthly; information stealers make up 246 million more. However, the continued evolution of online threats from ransomware and persistent bad actors is only one small piece of the risk management puzzle. Security leaders are not only responding to more sophisticated and expanding threats, but they’re also managing multiple security tools across multiple vendors and dealing with complex network setups across distributed workplaces. More and more, research is showing that complexity increases risk.

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework provides an answer to these challenges. By combining security and networking into a single, streamlined as-a-Service approach, it delivers advanced protection and connection capabilities from the cloud for hyper-distributed environments. Security service edge (SSE) is the “security side” of SASE – the subset of the SASE structure that focuses on cloud-delivered security capability. But while SASE, and by extension SSE, offers a simplified way to manage and deliver user and network protection, getting started with SASE can be daunting. This Gartner report can help.

Why SASE matters

SASE is transforming the way organizations handle network and security operations. By converging networking and security functions in the cloud, SASE connects users to the applications and data they need, wherever it lives, from wherever they are. SASE offers organizations a streamlined, efficient approach to managing critical security and networking functions, and allows for better integration, reduced complexity, and improved security posture. For security and risk management leaders, understanding and implementing SASE is crucial for building a modern, resilient security foundation and staying ahead of threats.

The Gartner report “Where Do I Start With SASE Evaluations: SD-WAN, SSE, Single-Vendor SASE, or Managed SASE?” offers security and risk management leaders the essential steps to begin their SASE evaluations.

Key insights from the Gartner report

• Developing a SASE strategy — “Build a long-term SASE strategy first with a goal to consolidate down to a single SASE vendor or two explicitly partnered SASE vendors. Either solution can be done as self-managed or procured from a managed SASE provider.”
• Evaluating SASE solutions — “Without clear requirements, organizations may evaluate vendors that charge a premium for advanced features that will go unused, or vendors that offer lower cost options but lack key functionality.”
• Prioritizing key capabilities — “Prioritize two key capabilities to support cyber resilience as part of a long-term SASE framework — automation and orchestration.”
• Vendor shortlisting — “Organizations that prioritize their requirements can narrow their prospective list of vendors by more than half.“

The number one recommendation from the 2024 Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index for security leaders is, “Continue to accelerate investment in protective cybersecurity measures across the board, including adopting a platform approach to ensure all solutions in the security stack can be leveraged to their maximum ability.” This Gartner report can help prioritize the right investments in the right areas for maximum impact.

The convergence of security and WAN edge technologies under the SASE framework offers a powerful solution for modern network and security challenges. Gartner’s “Where Do I Start With SASE Evaluations: SD-WAN, SSE, Single-Vendor SASE, or Managed SASE?” offers insight into evaluating SASE and modernizing network and security operations.

Download the report today.

Gartner, Where Do I Start With SASE Evaluations: SD-WAN, SSE, Single-Vendor SASE, or Managed SASE, John Watts, Jonathan Forest, Esraa ElTahawy, 12 April 2024

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