NC Nov-Dec 2021

FEATURE: SASE
CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE TO FIND YOUR PERFECT SASE PROVIDER
MIKE WOOD, CMO AT VERSA NETWORKS OFFERS HIS ADVICE ON SELECTING THE BEST
SECURE ACCESS SERVICE EDGE VENDOR FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Remote and hybrid working is one of the
most discussed topics in business today -
and this is likely to continue over the next
few years. As soon as this working practice was
deployed nationwide there has been a
constant struggle for businesses to achieve
optimum network connectivity while
maintaining sufficient network security.
Essentially, remote working has been one big
tug of war; connectivity on one side, security
on the other.
In response to this struggle, businesses have
been approached by vendors across the globe,
all offering different solutions for their remote
working conundrums. A popular choice is
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), a model of
perfect synergy between network and security,
combining solutions like Zero Trust and
Firewall-as-a-Service into a single cloud-based
service.
For businesses that have battled with finding
the optimum balance during the pandemic,
and those still searching, SASE becomes that
all important silver lining. However, with so
many vendors now claiming to offer SASE, it
can be an arduous task trying to find the
perfect solution.
WHAT INDUSTRY CHALLENGES ARE
BUSINESSES FACING?
Unfortunately for businesses, choosing a new
security solution is not like simply browsing
through a catalogue and picking one that
looks the part. There are several factors to
consider relating to current and ongoing
challenges in the industry. Aside from user
experience and security, IT teams must also
strike the right balance between other factors,
such as network visibility and cost.
Since the shift to remote working, IT teams
found themselves responsible for overseeing
the maintenance of all devices and
applications spread across the country. Without
sufficient visibility, the time to identify and locate
an issue or vulnerability greatly increases and
risks interfering with both security effectiveness
and business performance.
Above all else, however, is the pressure to
meet company demands without an increase
in budget or resources. The most direct option
would simply be to employ more staff and
allocate each a single area of focus, but very
few have that luxury. Suddenly, it's easy to see
why the demand for solutions like SASE has
exploded.
WHAT SHOULD BUSINESSES BE
LOOKING FOR IN A SASE PROVIDER?
Before entering into any agreement with a
provider, businesses should first consider their
top priorities and what they want to get out of
their solution. Some vendors will promise you
the world, but the trick is to look past the sales
barrier and ask the important questions.
In our new hybrid world, flexibility and visibility
are two must-haves for any network solution.
Teams should set their sights on SASE options
that deliver a cloud-native architecture that
encompasses everything on one single
management console to maintain and monitor
the network from any location. Finding a
solution that will slot comfortably into existing
security stacks is ideal for organisations
needing to update their systems quickly, without
jeopardising network performance.
As most businesses are made up of a
combination of on-premises and cloud
infrastructure, it's essential to choose a vendor
that can confidently offer multiple
implementation delivery options for any
location and device. Further, it's worth
enquiring about capabilities of integrating data
loss prevention (DLP) technology as a cloud,
multi-cloud and on-premises function to deliver
the necessary protection and visibility over
sensitive data.
Finally, futureproofing is everything.
Businesses are constantly evolving and
growing, so technology must be able to move
with it. The latest security stacks must be able to
integrate future technologies that are frequently
entering the market, such as Internet of Things
(IoT) and 5G, to help businesses keep up with
the latest demands. Additionally, for small
businesses with growth in their sights, the ability
to scale solutions as and when needed is a key
requirement. It's all very well choosing a
provider that can support your systems when
you're a 50-person company, but what about
when you reach 200? Scalability will set apart
those vendors that can provide a successful
long-term service and partnership.
Choosing a SASE provider does not have to
be a long and complicated decision, but
equally it shouldn't be rushed. Taking the time
to sift through all the options to find that needle
in a haystack will guarantee businesses a
strong and long-term solution for their network
performance and cybersecurity. NC
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