Alexis Kestler
Dear reader,
If you run a small or medium business, you likely understand the growing need for robust security in our digital world. As remote and mobile work becomes the norm, legacy network security models centered on static perimeters just don‘t cut it anymore.
Modern threats are sophisticated, and a distributed workforce requires secure access to applications and resources, regardless of what device they use or where they are located. This is where emerging technologies like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) come in.
As a cybersecurity analyst and technology writer, I’ve been researching SASE in depth. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my insights on:
- What SASE is and how it secures remote workforce access
- Key reasons SMBs need SASE security solutions
- An analysis of 11 top SASE vendors and solutions
- Best practices for evaluating and selecting a SASE provider
I don’t use technical jargon, and instead write in a friendly, relatable style. My goal is to help SMBs understand if SASE solutions suit their security needs, and which offerings best align with their requirements and budget.
Let’s get started!
What Is SASE and Why It Matters for Security
SASE, pronounced “sassy”, converges wide area network (WAN) capabilities like SD-WAN with cloud-based network security functions. This includes firewalls, data loss prevention, zero trust access and more.
SASE platforms deliver this integrated set of services globally from edge nodes close to users, devices and branch locations. Traffic doesn’t have to routing all the way back to centralized data centers for security processing.
This enables consistent, secure access and optimal performance, especially for remote users. SASE allows enforcing contextual access control policies based on factors like user identity, device, application and content.
For example, a SASE solution can:
- Authenticate a salesperson connecting remotely on their laptop via VPN, then allow access to Salesforce.
- Block a personal device trying to improperly access internal financial applications.
- Inspect web traffic for malware and filter prohibited content.
- Prevent unauthorized public cloud access based on access policies.
SASE architectures secure access via zero trust principles – that is, no user or device is trusted by default. Identity and context determine access.
This means SASE solutions provide a critical layer of security for remote workforce access in modern environments where the network perimeter is fragmented.
According to Gartner, at least 40% of enterprises will adopt SASE by 2024, up from less than 1% in 2018. This rapid growth demonstrates the value SASE delivers as distributed applications and mobile work become predominant.
Key Reasons SASE Matters for SMB Cybersecurity
While large enterprises grab the most headlines for data breaches and attacks, SMBs are very much at risk. In fact, US cybersecurity firm Cybint estimates 60% of small businesses fold within 6 months of a cyber attack.
And according to CyberCrime Magazine, 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. That‘s no small threat!
I‘ve analyzed various industry reports and identified these as the top reasons SASE solutions should matter for SMBs:
1. Support Secure Remote Work Access
The pandemic caused explosive growth in remote work. One Citrix study found that 97% of SMBs plan to adopt hybrid remote work models where employees divide time between office and home.
Traditional VPNs have limitations securing remote access at scale. SASE platforms improve security by authenticating users and devices, restricting access to approved apps, scanning content for threats, and preventing data loss – no matter where that user is located.
2. Protect Against Web & Email Threats
Verizon‘s 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report found web application attacks as the top threat vector. 35% of breaches involved phishing.
Secure web gateways and firewalls built into SASE solutions allow inspecting web traffic and filtering out threats – whether from public cloud apps, web browsing or emai links – before they reach users. This "in-line" protection is far superior than just routing web traffic directly to endpoint security.
3. Reduce Complexity & Costs
Integrated SASE platforms alleviate the need to maintain multiple stand-alone security tools like SWG, CASB, firewalls and VPN appliances across different sites. Instead, everything is delivered via the cloud.
Eliminating security tool sprawl, lowering infrastructure costs, and reducing management overheads all benefit SMBs greatly. Subscription-based SASE pricing also helps SMBs shift from high CAPEX to more manageable OPEX.
4. Improve Security for Cloud Adoption
According to Okta‘s 2022 Businesses @ Work report, the average number of cloud apps used by SMBs has increased 22% since 2019 to 87 apps per company.
As cloud and SaaS app usage rises, legacy security models don‘t translate well. SASE helps securely connect distributed users to any cloud-based apps without traditional VPN limitations. CASB capabilities also improve cloud app security and compliance.
5. Centralize Security Policy Control
Trying to manage disjointed security tools across multiple sites is difficult. SASE platforms allow centrally defining user, device and application policies in one console and enforcing them consistently across any edge location.
For lean SMB security teams, having unified policy control and visibility greatly improves efficiency.
6. Reduce Business Risks from Threats
Cyber attacks and data breaches lead to massive costs from system downtime, legal liabilities, recovery and reputational damage.
Verizon estimates SMBs face a $200,000 average price tag for recovering from ransomware attacks alone! SASE security can help minimize these business risks.
In summary, SASE delivers fundamental security capabilities that align with the priorities of SMB IT teams supporting remote workforces. Let‘s now look at leading options.
11 Top SASE Solutions for SMBs
Many vendors now offer SASE solutions catering to mid-market and enterprise needs. I‘ve researched over 25 options to compile this list of top 11 SASE platforms suitable for SMBs based on features, flexibility, affordability and ease of use.
1. Cato Networks
Cato Networks is a leading pure-play SASE provider. The Cato SASE Cloud converges SD-WAN, network security, and Zero Trust Network Access into a global cloud-native platform.
Key Features:
- ✅ Tightly integrated SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, FWaaS and ZTNA
- ✅ Single-pass encrypted traffic inspection
- ✅ Optimized global private backbone for fast connectivity
- ✅ Built-in DDoS, intrusion prevention and anti-malware
- ✅ Automated lean deployment & easy management
- ✅ Affordable subscription pricing starting at $56 per month
Cato excels at WAN optimization and accelerating SaaS and internet content. Its robust security stack and private backbone deliver a fast yet secure experience. Cato also makes it easy to spin up new sites quickly.
2. Cisco Secure Access by CloudType
This SASE solution combines best-of-breed SD-WAN capabilities from Cisco with CloudType‘s advanced security functions like SWG, CASB and ZTNA.
Key Features:
- ✅ Natively integrated networking and security
- ✅ Protection via Talos threat intelligence
- ✅ Easy interoperability with leading IT infrastructure
- ✅ Centralized management and monitoring
- ✅ Usage-based flexible pricing
Jointly delivered by Cisco and CloudType, this solution makes it easy to rollout SASE at scale by leveraging existing Cisco SD-WAN investments. Tight integration between network and security maximizes performance and protection.
3. Cloudflare One
Cloudflare One offers a comprehensive SASE platform anchored by Cloudflare‘s extensive global cloud edge presence.
Key Features:
- ✅ Unified policy framework with granular access controls
- ✅ Fast threat isolation across 200+ cities globally
- ✅ Easy adoption with no hardware required
- ✅ Integration with leading identity providers
- ✅ Detailed logs and analytics
Cloudflare excels at providing fast, secure connectivity leveraging its vast cloud infrastructure. Workers‘ access policies are enforced uniformly based on identity, context and applications.
4. Netskope Security Cloud
Netskope delivers a leading patented SASE architecture focused on cloud and web security.
Key Features:
- ✅ AI-driven SSE firewall with advanced threat protection
- ✅ Robust SWG, CASB and ZTNA capabilities
- ✅ Carrier-grade private backbone
- ✅ Unified data protection and compliance
- ✅ Granular application visibility and control
Netskope is a good choice for cloud-first enterprises. Its security-focused SASE platform integrates seamlessly with infrastructure from Cisco, VMware, Microsoft and others.
5. Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler offers a high-performance in-line SASE platform for secure internet and SaaS access.
Key Features:
- ✅ Stop threats in real time across 150+ data centers
- ✅ Full inline content inspection, even for SSL traffic
- ✅ Precise access controls per App, User, Location
- ✅ Detailed security reporting and analytics
- ✅ Usage-based pricing that scales as you grow
Zscaler provides advanced threat protection anchored by its vast security cloud. The proxy-based architecture facilitates inspection of encrypted traffic.
6. Versa SASE
Versa SASE delivers full-featured SD-WAN, security and analytics via a flexible SASE software platform.
Key Features:
- ✅ Tightly integrated FWaaS, SWG, IPS, AV, anti-malware
- ✅ Multi-tenant cloud platform with self-service portal
- ✅ Contextual policy enforcement
- ✅ Role-based access control and micro-segmentation
- ✅ Choice of cloud, on-prem, or hybrid deployment
Versa Networks is a long-time leader in SD-WAN that has evolved into a full SASE offering. It excels at flexible deployment models to suit different needs.
7. Forcepoint Dynamic Edge Protection
Forcepoint offers a distributed SASE architecture unifying SD-WAN, remote access, and cloud-based security.
Key Features:
- ✅ Direct-to-cloud architecture
- ✅ Risk-adaptive access control policies
- ✅ Advanced threat analytics
- ✅ Unified management interface
- ✅ Usage-based subscription pricing
Forcepoint combines robust security with flexible access control. Behavioral analytics help spot insider risks. The company also has deep expertise in data loss prevention.
8. Fortinet FortiSASE
Fortinet bundles its flagship FortiGate firewall and FortiClient with SD-WAN in an integrated SASE offering.
Key Features:
- ✅ Broad security services: FWaaS, SWG, ZTNA, sandboxing
- ✅ Global cloud fabric for low latency
- ✅ Tight integration with Fortinet SD-WAN
- ✅ Centralized management and automation
- ✅ Pay-as-you-grow pricing
Fortinet leverages its strong security portfolio into an all-in-one SASE platform. The combination of FortiGate and FortiClient facilitates quick threat response.
9. Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE
Prisma SASE consolidates Prisma SD-WAN capabilities with Cloud SWG, CASB, and ZTNA into a unified cloud platform.
Key Features:
- ✅ Tight integration throughout Prisma SASE stack
- ✅ Advanced ML-powered threat detection
- ✅ Identity-based conditional access control
- ✅ Managed from Prisma SD-WAN console
- ✅ Usage-based licensing and subscriptions
Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE leverages deep visibility and threat intelligence from its industry-leading NGFWs to secure access. Integration with Prisma SD-WAN is seamless.
10. Perimeter 81 SASE Platform
Perimeter 81 offers a cost-effective all-in-one SASE solution tailored to SMBs.
Key Features:
- ✅ Integrated network security: FWaaS, IPS, AV, sandbox
- ✅ Secure remote access via Zero Trust Network Access
- ✅ Fully encrypted traffic with no data logging
- ✅ Simple setup and unified management
- ✅ Affordable plans starting at $8 per user/month
Perimeter 81 makes it easy for lean SMB teams to rollout SASE at low cost, with minimal hardware requirements. A good basic SASE option.
11. NordLayer SASE
NordLayer SASE delivers integrated SD-WAN and advanced security like FWaaS, SWG, sandboxing, and microsegmentation.
Key Features:
- ✅ Fast and easy setup
- ✅ Integrated cloud sandbox and anti-malware
- ✅ Role-based access control
- ✅ Unified visibility into security events
- ✅ Affordable pricing for SMBs
NordLayer makes it easy for SMBs to enable SASE functionality quickly via its cloud-native platform. Dynamic access policies facilitate microsegmentation.
Evaluating SASE Providers for Your SMB
With the dizzying array of vendors offering SASE solutions, selecting the right platform for your needs and environment can be challenging.
Here are six tips on aspects to consider during your evaluation process:
1. Assess Core SASE Requirements
First, outline your key remote access requirements around mobility, applications, security, and compliance. This framing will help assess which vendor capabilities are must-haves versus nice-to-haves.
2. Cloud Platform Architecture
Evaluate the cloud infrastructure powering the SASE platform. Is it truly global? How many points of presence (POPs) are available to accelerate traffic? How are networking and security integrated?
3. Flexible Deployment Options
SaaS-only platforms can limit flexibility. Look for support hybrid models like cloud-delivered security stacks connecting with on-prem SD-WAN routers.
4. Authentication and Access Control
Review identity and context-based access control capabilities. Do they integrate with enterprise identity providers? How granular are the policies?
5. Threat Prevention and Detection
Analyze the sandboxing, anti-malware, firewall, IPS/IDS capabilities provided. Can the vendor share threat intelligence metrics about stops vs false positives?
6. Pricing and Support Model
Validate technical support response times and SLAs. Ensure the pricing model scales affordably with limited overhead.
Getting demos and free trials of shortlisted options is highly recommended. This allows hands-on experience to assess ease of use and management alongside effectiveness.
Adopt SASE to Secure Your Distributed SMB
SASE delivers a critical consolidated approach to securing access and connecting distributed users, devices, and workloads across cloud and legacy environments.
For SMBs, SASE platforms greatly improve security posture while reducing complexity and cost. By evaluating top solutions against your unique requirements, an optimal SASE provider can be selected to meet budget needs.
Gartner predicts at least 30% of midsize enterprises will adopt SASE by 2025, compared to less than 5% in 2021. I hope this guide has provided you a helpful overview of SASE as you consider modernizing your SMB network security.
Stay safe out in the digital world!
