As Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) continues to gain traction in the market, several providers have emerged as leaders in offering comprehensive SASE solutions. These providers integrate networking and security features, such as SD-WAN, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), and cloud access security broker (CASB), into a unified, cloud-native platform.
Here are the top SASE providers in 2024:
1. Cisco (Cisco+ Secure Connect Now)
Cisco is a prominent player in the SASE space, leveraging its SD-WAN technology, cloud security, and Zero Trust frameworks. Cisco’s Cisco+ Secure Connect Now combines SD-WAN, FWaaS, and ZTNA with cloud security features to offer a comprehensive SASE platform.
- Key Features:
- Cisco Umbrella for cloud-delivered security, including SWG, CASB, and DNS security.
- Cisco SD-WAN for intelligent traffic routing and optimization.
- Duo for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Zero Trust access control.
- Centralized management with Cisco SecureX, providing visibility across all security and network layers.
- Ideal For: Large enterprises and organizations looking for integrated security and networking with robust Zero Trust capabilities.
2. Palo Alto Networks (Prisma SASE)
Palo Alto Networks has emerged as a leader in SASE with its Prisma SASE platform. Prisma combines Prisma Access (for cloud-delivered security) with Prisma SD-WAN, offering a seamless integration of networking and security features.
- Key Features:
- Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and intrusion prevention features as part of FWaaS.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) with strong identity-based access controls.
- Cloud-delivered security services like CASB, SWG, and DLP.
- AI-powered threat detection and real-time analytics to identify and mitigate risks.
- Ideal For: Businesses with distributed teams or cloud-first strategies needing advanced security features and network optimization.
3. Zscaler (Zscaler Internet Access and Zscaler Private Access)
Zscaler is one of the pioneers of cloud-based security and is a key player in the SASE market. The Zscaler SASE solution, delivered through Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), integrates Zero Trust access, SWG, CASB, and other security features.
- Key Features:
- ZIA delivers security services like secure web gateways, firewalls, and cloud DLP to protect users and data accessing the internet.
- ZPA enables Zero Trust secure access to private applications without the need for VPNs, reducing the attack surface.
- Deep inspection of SSL traffic to detect and block advanced threats.
- Global cloud architecture with threat intelligence integration.
- Ideal For: Enterprises looking for cloud-native security with Zero Trust access for both cloud and on-premises resources.
4. VMware (VMware SASE)
VMware SASE combines the strengths of VMware SD-WAN with its security services to deliver a unified, cloud-native platform. VMware’s SASE platform integrates secure access for branch offices and remote workers while enhancing network performance with its Velocloud SD-WAN.
- Key Features:
- Cloud-based SD-WAN with application-aware routing and dynamic path selection for optimized performance.
- Integration with VMware Workspace ONE for endpoint and access security.
- Cloud Web Security with URL filtering, malware protection, and CASB capabilities.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to secure access to internal applications.
- Ideal For: Organizations needing a robust SD-WAN solution with integrated cloud security, particularly those already using VMware’s broader suite of cloud and virtualization tools.
5. Fortinet (Fortinet SASE)
Fortinet offers a complete SASE solution as part of its Fortinet Security Fabric. FortiSASE leverages Fortinet’s expertise in security and networking, providing Zero Trust access, cloud-delivered security, and SD-WAN capabilities.
- Key Features:
- FortiGate NGFW integrated with SASE for robust firewall and threat protection.
- FortiSASE Cloud for CASB, DLP, and SWG services delivered from the cloud.
- FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager for centralized management and visibility across the entire network and security stack.
- SD-WAN integration to improve network performance for remote users and branch locations.
- Ideal For: Enterprises with complex security needs seeking integrated network security solutions, particularly those already using Fortinet’s Security Fabric.
6. Cato Networks
Cato Networks was one of the first companies to define and build a SASE platform. Cato offers a fully converged solution, integrating SD-WAN with cloud-native security services like FWaaS, CASB, ZTNA, and SWG.
- Key Features:
- Global private backbone that reduces latency and provides better application performance.
- Application-aware routing for optimized network traffic management across multiple cloud and on-premises environments.
- Cloud-delivered security services that include intrusion prevention systems (IPS), DLP, and malware detection.
- Simplified deployment and centralized management for both networking and security.
- Ideal For: Mid-sized enterprises and organizations looking for a pure SASE platform with seamless integration between security and network performance.
7. Akamai (Akamai SASE)
Akamai is known for its content delivery network (CDN) services, and it has expanded into the SASE market with a focus on secure web access, application delivery, and Zero Trust security.
- Key Features:
- Akamai Intelligent Edge Platform for fast and secure delivery of applications and content.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) with identity-based access controls to restrict access to private applications.
- CASB and DLP to secure data in the cloud and prevent unauthorized data transfers.
- Real-time threat intelligence to block emerging threats and secure user access to applications.
- Ideal For: Organizations that require high-performance application delivery with integrated security, particularly those with global operations relying on Akamai’s CDN infrastructure.
8. Versa Networks (Versa SASE)
Versa Networks is a leading provider of SASE with a strong focus on SD-WAN and security integration. Versa delivers a unified platform that offers SD-WAN, ZTNA, and FWaaS to secure branch offices, remote workers, and cloud applications.
- Key Features:
- Application-aware SD-WAN with built-in security for optimized traffic routing and application performance.
- Integrated firewall with threat protection, including DDoS mitigation and IPS.
- Zero Trust architecture to secure access to internal resources, reducing reliance on VPNs.
- Cloud-based management with real-time monitoring and analytics for security and network performance.
- Ideal For: Enterprises needing a scalable SASE solution with strong SD-WAN and security capabilities, particularly for large, distributed organizations.
9. Check Point (Harmony Connect)
Check Point offers a SASE solution called Harmony Connect, which integrates security with secure access capabilities. Check Point is known for its deep expertise in network security, and Harmony Connect extends this to the cloud with a SASE offering.
- Key Features:
- Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) with integrated threat prevention, including anti-phishing, sandboxing, and zero-day protection.
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG) to protect users from web-based threats and enforce safe browsing policies.
- ZTNA to provide secure access to private applications without the need for a traditional VPN.
- Centralized security management via Check Point Infinity, offering real-time threat intelligence and policy enforcement.
- Ideal For: Enterprises looking for a SASE solution that leverages Check Point’s advanced security technologies and provides integrated, scalable cloud security.
10. Aryaka Networks
Aryaka provides a SASE solution that integrates its managed SD-WAN service with cloud-based security, offering end-to-end protection and performance optimization for distributed enterprises.
- Key Features:
- Fully managed SD-WAN with application-aware routing for enhanced performance across multiple links and cloud environments.
- Secure web gateways (SWG) and FWaaS for comprehensive threat protection, ensuring secure access for users regardless of their location.
- Global Points of Presence (PoPs) to ensure low-latency access to cloud services and applications, improving performance for geographically distributed users.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) integrated with advanced security features to provide secure access without the need for traditional VPNs.
- Simplified management via a centralized platform that integrates both network and security monitoring for better visibility and control.
- Ideal For: Enterprises seeking a managed SD-WAN service combined with SASE features, particularly for global operations that require low-latency, high-performance access to cloud resources and applications.
11. Adaptiv Networks
Adaptiv Networks is an emerging player in the SASE and SD-WAN space, providing cloud-managed SD-WAN solutions tailored for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Adaptiv Networks offers a SASE platform that blends secure connectivity, cloud optimization, and scalable performance with simplified management.
- Key Features:
- Cloud-Managed SD-WAN: Adaptiv’s SD-WAN solution is optimized for resilient cloud connectivity, providing intelligent traffic routing for better application performance and reliability, particularly for businesses that rely on SaaS and cloud-based services.
- Integrated Security: Adaptiv incorporates key SASE security features like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), and secure web gateways (SWG) to protect distributed users and remote offices.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics: The platform offers real-time visibility into network and security performance, allowing organizations to identify and address issues quickly.
- Cost-Effective Solution: Adaptiv is designed to be a cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing enterprise-grade security and performance without the complexity and cost of larger SASE platforms.
- Scalable Infrastructure: The platform is designed to scale with growing businesses, enabling easy onboarding of new locations, users, and cloud services without the need for extensive IT support.
- Ideal For: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking for a cost-effective, cloud-managed SD-WAN solution with integrated security features, enabling secure and optimized access to cloud applications and distributed users.
Conclusion
The top SASE providers in 2024 offer a wide range of solutions designed to meet the growing demands of modern cloud-first, remote, and distributed workforces. Leading providers like Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler, and VMware integrate advanced networking and security features into their SASE platforms, providing unified solutions for businesses of all sizes. Providers like Aryaka Networks and Adaptiv Networks cater to organizations looking for managed services and cost-effective solutions that simplify connectivity and security.
Whether you’re a large enterprise looking for comprehensive global infrastructure or an SME seeking a scalable, secure SD-WAN solution, the SASE market offers a wide range of options to improve both network performance and security posture in today’s highly connected world.