SASE At The Half-Decade Mark: What CIOs And CISOs Need To Know Now

Forbes - Feb 13th, 2025

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) was launched in 2019 as a revolutionary approach to merging networking and security into a singular cloud-based solution. Aimed at simplifying enterprise connectivity, enhancing security, and reducing costs, SASE was quickly embraced by IT leaders. Despite its promise, the practical implementation of SASE has often deviated from its all-inclusive marketing narrative. Vendors from varying backgrounds, such as firewall and SD-WAN providers, have tailored SASE solutions to fit their legacy products, creating a fragmented market that might confuse IT leaders seeking comprehensive solutions. Although SASE adoption is on the rise, many deployments remain partial or 'SASE-like,' necessitating strategic planning and thoughtful vendor selection to achieve successful integration.

A significant evolution in the SASE domain is the increasing emphasis on zero-trust architectures. This model operates on the principle that no user or device is inherently trustworthy, thereby necessitating continuous verification of requests, a critical measure in today's era of remote and hybrid work environments. Zero trust's integration into SASE strategies helps organizations protect sensitive data and apply consistent security policies. As SASE continues to evolve, IT leaders are advised to focus on their specific needs, assess vendor capabilities carefully, and engage experienced partners to navigate the complex landscape. This strategic approach can help them harness SASE's potential to improve agility, user experience, and risk management effectively.

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RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and current state of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), offering valuable insights for IT leaders and decision-makers. It effectively balances the discussion of SASE's promises and challenges, presenting a nuanced view of the technology's impact on network security. The article is well-written and accessible, with a clear structure that enhances readability. However, it could benefit from increased transparency through explicit citations and more diverse sources to support its claims. Overall, the article is a reliable and informative resource for those interested in understanding the complexities and opportunities associated with SASE adoption.

Accuracy

The article is factually accurate and aligns well with the broader literature on SASE. It correctly identifies Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) as a concept introduced by Gartner in 2019, which is supported by multiple credible sources. The discussion on SASE's original promises, such as reducing complexity and providing a unified solution for connectivity and security, is consistent with the concept's initial presentation. Additionally, the article accurately reflects the challenges in real-world SASE deployments, such as fragmented ecosystems and differing vendor interpretations, which are well-documented issues. However, while the article makes several claims about the growing adoption of SASE and the importance of zero-trust architectures, it could benefit from more specific citations or data points to strengthen its assertions.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view of SASE, acknowledging both its potential benefits and the challenges faced in its implementation. It provides a fair assessment of the technology, discussing how the original promises of SASE have been met with varying degrees of success in practice. The article also highlights the influence of zero-trust principles, which adds depth to the discussion. However, it primarily focuses on the perspectives of IT leaders and vendors, potentially overlooking the experiences of end-users or smaller organizations that might have different challenges or benefits from SASE adoption.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and written in clear, accessible language. It logically progresses from the introduction of SASE and its initial promises to the current state of the technology and the challenges faced by organizations. The use of subheadings helps organize the content and guide the reader through the analysis. The article effectively communicates complex technical concepts in a way that is understandable to a broad audience, maintaining a neutral and informative tone throughout.

Source quality

The article draws from the expertise of Ciaran Roche, a co-founder and CTO with over 22 years of experience, lending credibility to the analysis. However, it does not explicitly cite external sources or studies to support its claims, which could enhance the reliability of the information presented. While the insights provided are likely based on industry knowledge and trends, the inclusion of more diverse sources, such as independent research or case studies, would strengthen the article's authority and impartiality.

Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of SASE and its evolution, but it lacks detailed transparency regarding the sources of its information and the methodology behind its analysis. While the author's expertise is mentioned, the absence of explicit citations or references to specific studies or reports makes it difficult for readers to verify the information independently. Greater transparency in the form of referenced data or expert opinions would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to better assess the basis of its claims.