Guest Blog by Jaye Tillson, Field CTO, Distinguished Technologist, HPE Aruba Networking
The ‘Why SASE is the Blueprint for Future-Proofing Your Network in 2025 and Beyond’ report, commissioned by Xalient and researched by Opinion Matters, explores the rising adoption of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology. The report focuses on the UK and examines the drivers, challenges, and benefits of SASE deployment.
Survey Insights on SASE Adoption
The report surveyed 700 IT, network, and security leaders across the UK, USA, Canada, and Benelux, including 250 respondents from the UK. It provides insights on adopting single-vendor and multi-vendor SASE solutions.
Key Takeaways
The Shift Toward SASE Adoption
Gartner’s 2024 survey reveals that 39% of organizations have implemented or plan to implement SASE within the next two years, projected to rise to 60% by 2025. The primary motivations include improved network security and simplified access management for distributed workforces and remote operations. Traditional infrastructures struggle to meet these evolving demands, driving SASE adoption as a more secure and efficient solution.
Single-vendor vs. Multi-vendor Solutions
The report highlights the split in adoption approaches: 50% of UK respondents opted for a single-vendor SASE solution, while 42% preferred multi-vendor solutions. Each approach has its pros and cons:
- Single-vendor solutions offer tighter integration, simplified management, and lower costs but face challenges in flexibility and maintaining effective security controls.
- Multi-vendor solutions provide better security controls, flexibility, and broader capabilities, but their complexity often requires external support and may not represent the best value for money.
The choice between the two depends on an organization’s needs, resources, and security objectives.
The Evolving Threat Landscape
The cybersecurity landscape is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. A staggering 99% of surveyed UK organizations experienced a security attack in the last 12 months, with 85% admitting that these attacks exploited network gaps. These vulnerabilities are particularly exacerbated by remote and hybrid workforces, with 46% of attacks stemming from this group.
Recruitment Challenges in Cybersecurity
Another significant challenge is recruiting and retaining cybersecurity talent. 79% of respondents reported difficulties finding the necessary skills to combat growing security threats. This shortage of expertise drives organizations toward SASE solutions, as they can simplify network security and reduce dependency on in-house talent.
UK vs. Global SASE Adoption Trends
The drivers for SASE adoption in the UK differ slightly from the global landscape. In the UK, key motivators include the rising cost of traditional networking architecture and performance issues with business-critical SaaS applications. In contrast, global respondents placed higher importance on securing remote access. Additionally, cloud adoption/migration and concerns over breaches were significant drivers globally as organizations seek to modernize their infrastructure and enhance security.
SASE’s Benefits and Business Outcomes
UK respondents cited several benefits of SASE, including enhanced functionality of SaaS applications, secure remote access, and cloud migration. Interestingly, despite securing remote access being a lower driver in the UK, it ranked as the second highest benefit. While remote access may not be an immediate priority, it quickly proves valuable once SASE is deployed.
Cost-related benefits, including consolidation and simplification, were also notable, especially among those who opted for single-vendor solutions. These respondents experienced lower operational complexity and more efficient resource use compared to multi-vendor users.
SASE Components in Use
Respondents reported active use of core SASE components, including Secure Services Edge (SSE), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). However, the adoption of ZTNA remains surprisingly low at just 26% in the UK, likely due to ongoing transitions or the continued use of VPNs with identity-based controls. The report suggests that adoption may increase with future network refreshes and topology changes.
Challenges in Vendor Selection
The report emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting the right SASE solution. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as different organizations have varying needs. The research highlights the advantages and disadvantages of single-vendor vs. multi-vendor solutions, as some organizations struggle to balance control, flexibility, and cost.
One key recommendation is to consider working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), particularly for organizations facing challenges managing multi-vendor setups. MSPs can help streamline vendor selection and ensure the successful deployment of SASE solutions.
Recommendations for Implementing SASE
The report outlines five key recommendations for organizations looking to implement SASE solutions:
- Scope the Project: Define goals and outcomes based on security and networking needs. Identify capability gaps and operational challenges.
- Make the Right Design Decisions: Customize the SASE architecture to fit your organization’s needs. Categorize applications and define user types and network topologies.
- Test and Validate: To minimize risk, start with a proof-of-concept (PoC). Validate controls, traffic flow, and operational success before scaling up.
- Implement across the Organization: Balance the pace of change with operational risk and gradually onboard sites, applications, and users.
- Continuous Improvement: Incorporate SASE into standard operational practices and seek opportunities for improvement to maximize return on investment.
Conclusion
The adoption of SASE is expected to continue growing as organizations seek to secure their networks, especially in the face of new and evolving cyber threats. Whether opting for a single-vendor or multi-vendor solution, SASE offers businesses enhanced security, scalability, and performance while simplifying management. However, successful deployment requires careful planning, design, and vendor selection, with the potential need for external expertise from an MSP.
The report strongly advocates for SASE as an essential part of future-proofing network infrastructures, especially as organizations embrace more remote work models and cloud-based technologies. With the right strategy, SASE can significantly improve network security and operational efficiency.
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