What to look for in a SASE Implementation Partner
Switching to a SASE framework from a legacy solution is an effective way to provide organizations with scalable network and security services. SASE can reduce costs and uncomplicate network functions while increasing overall performance across the enterprise’s network. However, you must ensure that the SASE vendor you choose can supply you with key benefits that unlock the potential of having a SASE framework. Learn more about these criteria below.
Integration
Zero Trust Network Access, or ZTNA, integration is imperative for SASE implementation. ZTNA gives enterprises an identity-driven and contextually aware approach to securing their networks. Outdated network security solutions that rely on a VPN or firewall appliance made it simple for intruders to gain network access once those safeguards were breached. Thankfully, ZTNA corrects those issues of the past by enabling organizations to grant network access based on applications and user identities for cloud, mobile, and on-site resources.
Network Performance and Scalability
An optimal SASE framework should offer a fluid experience anywhere in the world. The most effective way to ensure that a SASE framework correctly addresses potential fundamental problems with internet routing, such as latency issues, is to seek vendors that provide global service level agreement (SLA) backed private backbones. Using SLA-backed SASE vendors ensures that enterprises have excellent network performance on a wide scale.
Cloud-native Approach
To reap the full benefits of implementing a SASE model, vendors must take a cloud-native approach. SASE demands an identity-centered approach to account for all edges of the network. These network edges include on-site, mobile, and cloud-based. When consulting with a SASE vendor, ensure they use a converged cloud-native software stack in their model, as SD-WAN appliances and other point solutions cannot.
Interface
SASE platforms should make day-to-day network security and management streamlined. When looking into SASE vendors, make sure to find one that offers an easy-to-use interface. SASE should remove the complexity and enable an organization’s IT professionals to focus more on business functions and troubleshooting errors and less on managing the network’s infrastructure.
