5 SASE Products Worth Considering for Modern Network Security

Network security has become more complex, since the traditional boundaries for networks have been blurred with workers operating from home and branches connecting directly to the cloud. In this context, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) emerges as a way of combining networking and security via cloud-based services. Different providers offer different services ranging from secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers, zero trust network access, firewall as a service, data loss prevention to SD-WAN.

Selecting the right SASE solution is not just about picking features. Existing infrastructure, level of cloud adoption, remote access needs, security operations, and other factors need to be taken into account. Here are five SASE solutions to consider.

1. Fortinet

Fortinet uses the Unified SASE solution to take an integrated approach to SASE through the integration of networking and security features. The solution integrates various networking and security features, which include secure SD-WAN, zero trust access, and security service edge.

The various capabilities of Fortinet’s solution include firewall as a service, secure web gateway, CASB, security posture management, data loss prevention, and zero trust access.

This solution is also attractive to companies that wish to reduce the number of different solutions for connectivity and security. In lieu of developing branch networking, remote access, cloud security, and threat protection separately, companies can consider these solutions in terms of one architectural solution.

For organizations initiating their research, SASE products for modern security give a brief description of how networking and security solutions can be integrated.

2. Zscaler

Zscaler follows a cloud-native secure access strategy, which has considerable emphasis on zero trust and application connectivity. In contrast to traditional methods that assume all users require access to the entire corporate network, Zscaler’s model is more centered around allowing authorized users and devices access to the applications they require.

It would be an appropriate choice for companies that have moved their applications to SaaS and public cloud services.

The explanation provided by the company about zero-trust SASE indicates how connectivity can be secure not only for users but also for branches and other locations. This is applicable to organizations that require networking and security solutions without unnecessary trust between them.

Zscaler can be recommended in the case where cloud access and remote connectivity are important factors.

3. Sophos

Sophos is yet another security company with a long history that should be taken into account when considering options for modernizing the network access. The diverse portfolio provides enterprises with a possibility to integrate network security with other aspects of the overall security framework.

The reason why the ecosystem of solutions plays an important role in this context lies in the fact that SASE is not merely the replacement of the traditional VPN or firewall technologies. Users, devices, identities, applications, and data all contribute to the security model. Therefore, the integration-friendly solution may be easier to manage.

Sophos becomes especially relevant in case if the enterprise already uses its products and seeks to evolve the current architecture.

4. Barracuda Networks

Barracuda Networks provides yet another option for businesses looking at cloud-enabled networking and security solutions. This includes network security, application security, email security, and data security.

Deployment of SASE becomes problematic once companies start building their own collection of products related to remote access, web filtering, branch networking, application protection, and cloud security. Even a good product may create operational burden once policies and monitoring of that product is disjointed from others.

In this regard, Barracuda should be assessed regarding how its networking and security options integrate into an existing environment. Companies need to assess integration with identity solutions, endpoint products, cloud applications, and networks.

Instead, the question becomes whether it can offer control and visibility without creating operational complexity.

5. Netskope

Netskope is especially pertinent to companies that focus on the usage of cloud apps, securing data, and accessing securely.

The solution incorporates features that correspond to SASE such as web access security, CASB, ZTNA, DLP, threat protection, and SD-WAN.

This solution is representative of the broader shift in enterprise security. The users access the application from various locations while the data travels from SaaS applications, the cloud, and managed devices. The security measures require more information than the location of the user.

In the case of the companies that use SaaS extensively, insight into cloud usage and data flow becomes a significant part.

Companies interested in learning more about SASE evolution can check out the SASE resource collection.

Comparing the Five SASE Products

SASE Product	Key Strength	Potential Fit
Fortinet	Unified networking and security	Integrated SD-WAN and security
Zscaler	Cloud-native zero trust access	Cloud-first and distributed workforces
Sophos	Broad security ecosystem	Existing security technology users
Barracuda Networks	Network and cloud security	Businesses modernizing security layers
Netskope	Cloud, data, and access controls	Extensive SaaS and cloud usage

What Should Businesses Look for in SASE?

Integration is key. The platform that implements SASE will need to integrate with current identity providers, endpoint security capabilities, clouds, and networks. Bad integration may result in unnecessary complexity.

Policy management is also critical. The security team will need to apply consistent policy rules for users, devices, branches, apps, and locations without generating extra administration burdens.

Visibility is another requirement. The team will need sufficient visibility of who accesses a resource, what resource is accessed, on what device, and under what circumstances.

Companies also need to think about general cloud security concepts. The Cloud Security Alliance provides cloud security guidelines on such issues as identity and access management, infrastructure and network, data security, application security, and zero trust.

As explained by IBM in their SASE summary, the technology is a combination of network capabilities and security capabilities, which include SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, and ZTNA. This shows that organizations need to review both sides of the technology to understand it fully.

Final Thoughts

SASE is part of a paradigm change that affects the way companies think about connectivity and security. Rather than having a hard perimeter, businesses will be able to have their security capabilities close to the users, applications, devices, and data they want to secure as well as bringing networking and security together.

There are some vendors to consider, such as Fortinet, Zscaler, Sophos, Barracuda Networks, and Netskope. The best one will always depend on a series of factors like architecture, cloud adoption, security needs, and even investments.

Instead of choosing the platform because of the number of features that it has, companies must consider mapping their users, applications, branches, cloud services, access needs, and current capabilities before anything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are SASE products?

SASE products are solutions that integrate the capabilities of networking and security into a cloud-based platform. The range of SASE products includes SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, ZTNA, FWaaS, DLP, and more.

2. Is SASE only useful for remote employees?

No. SASE architecture can be used to secure remote users, branch office employees, contractors, mobile users, cloud workloads, and distributed architectures. The overall objective of SASE is connectivity and security for users, devices, apps, and locations.

3. How is SASE different from a traditional VPN?

An ordinary VPN typically offers network-level connectivity from the remote location. SASE allows the use of zero trust principles in accessing resources that check user identity, device context, applications, and policies before providing access.

4. What should businesses consider when choosing a SASE product?

Business organizations need to assess their needs in terms of security functionality, network performance, integration, policy management, visibility, scalability, deployment, prior technological investment, and user needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.