Challenges with Current Network & Security Models

• Complex Management: Handling disparate network and security solutions can be time-consuming and prone to misconfigurations.
• Security Challenges for Location-Based & Remote Users: Ensuring consistent security policies and protection across various locations and for remote users is difficult, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
• Securing Cloud and SaaS Applications: With the adoption of cloud applications and SaaS solutions, traditional point solutions fall short in providing adequate security and granular access controls, complicating the task of maintaining robust security across the enterprise.
• Limited Scalability: Traditional MPLS networks often lack the flexibility to scale efficiently as organizations grow and their needs evolve.
• Performance: Legacy networks struggle to provide the performance required for modern, cloud-based applications and remote work environments.
• Procurement and SLA Issues: Managing multiple telecom WAN links and providers involves complex procurement processes and difficulties in maintaining Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Understanding SASE as Defined by Gartner

Gartner introduced Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) to address these challenges. SASE is a cloud-native architecture model that converges network and security services into a single solution, designed to protect hybrid workers by providing secure access to corporate applications, data, and services.

SASE combines the following capabilities:

• Software-defined Wide-Area Network (SD-WAN)
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
• Network Firewalling
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Why Gartner is Now Talking About Single Vendor SASE

Gartner's move towards endorsing Single Vendor SASE is driven by the need for simplified deployment and management of SASE components. Key benefits include:

1. Unified Solution: A single-vendor approach offers a comprehensive feature set, combining networking and security functions.
2. Consistent Security Policies: Uniform enforcement of security policies across the entire network for both physical sites and remote users.
3. Streamlined Support: Simplified troubleshooting and support through a single point of contact.
4. Cost Efficiency: Reduced overhead and potential cost savings by consolidating services with one provider.
5. Global Presence: Leveraging a global network of Points of Presence (PoPs) to ensure optimal performance and user experience.

Increased Security Threat Vectors

In the evolving digital landscape, enterprises are facing an unprecedented increase in security threats. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and the number of potential attack vectors is growing. Key security threats include:

• Ransomware: Attacks that encrypt critical data and demand a ransom for its release.
• Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive information, leading to loss of critical data.
• Phishing and Social Engineering: Tactics used to deceive individuals into providing confidential information.
• Insider Threats: Risks posed by employees or other insiders who intentionally or unintentionally cause harm.

The consequences of security breaches can be severe:

• Financial Loss: The average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report.
• Brand Damage: Loss of customer trust and damage to the brand’s reputation can have long-lasting effects.
• Regulatory Penalties: Non-compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and others can result in hefty fines.

Statistics Highlighting Security Challenges:

• Ransomware: The global cost of ransomware attacks is expected to reach $20 billion in 2024, up from $11.5 billion in 2019 (Cybersecurity Ventures).
• Data Breaches: 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and 60% of small businesses that experience a cyberattack go out of business within six months (National Cyber Security Alliance).
• Phishing: 94% of malware is delivered via email, and phishing attacks have increased by 65% in the last year (Verizon 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report).

Adoption of Single Vendor SASE by Enterprises

To combat these growing security challenges, enterprises are increasingly adopting Single Vendor Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions. Gartner predicts that by 2027, 65% of new software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) purchases will be part of a single-vendor SASE offering, up from 20% in 2024.

Gartner's 2024 Report and Quadrant Leaders

In its 2024 report, Gartner evaluates Single Vendor SASE solutions based on several criteria, including a comprehensive feature set, ease of management, scalability, and performance. The leaders in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Single Vendor SASE excel in delivering robust, scalable, and comprehensive solutions that meet these criteria.

DIY (Do It Yourself) SASE: Challenges and Limitations

For enterprises with multiple global locations, attempting to cobble together the entire managed SASE solution can be fraught with challenges:

• Complexity: Integrating and managing multiple components from different vendors can be complex and error prone.
• Resource Intensive: Requires significant investment in skilled personnel and resources for deployment and ongoing management.
• Scalability Issues: Difficulties in scaling the solution to meet evolving business needs.
• Security Risks: Potential for inconsistencies and gaps in security policies across different components.
• Skilled Manpower Shortage: Finding and retaining trained personnel with expertise in SASE migration and best practices can be challenging, leading to potential delays and suboptimal implementations.
• Migration Challenges & Milestone: Developing a clear migration strategy and roadmap for phased deployment across locations and users can be complex, time-consuming, and a risk to business continuity if not executed with precision.

The Critical Role of Managed Service Partners

While the adoption of Single Vendor SASE can provide significant benefits, managing this transition in-house can be challenging for many organizations. Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like AireSpring, for example, offers engineering support that can help address these challenges by offering:

1. Expertise in SASE Implementation: MSPs bring deep expertise in planning, designing, and deploying SASE solutions.
2. Procurement and Deployment: Handling the procurement, logistics, and project management of Single Vendor SASE solutions across global locations & remote users with agreed Turnaround times.
3. Global Connectivity Solutions: Managing multiple telecom services providers globally, including Internet, MPLS, and LTE backup circuits.
4. Ongoing Support: Providing 24/7 monitoring, management, and support for SASE solutions to ensure optimal performance and security.
5. Day 2 Operations Management: Providing ongoing management and support to ensure optimal performance and security.
6. Comprehensive Managed Services: Handling day-to-day operations with SLA backed service, allowing enterprises to focus on their core business.
7. Skilled Manpower Pool: MSPs have a staff of well-trained, skilled, and certified engineers experienced in best practices for SASE implementations across various industries. This expertise is key to achieving a seamless migration and maintaining robust security and performance standards in all departments, including Project Management, Delivery, Network Operations Center (NoC), and design engineering.

Conclusion

The need for a single SASE provider is more critical than ever as organizations strive to secure and optimize their networks in a complex digital environment.

AireSpring’s managed services are here to help you navigate the challenges of implementing and managing a SASE solution, providing a seamless, secure, and efficient network experience. By partnering with AireSpring, you can focus on what you do best – growing your business – while we take care of your network and security needs.