Unified SASE Must-Haves: What to Look For in Your Next Network and Security Solution
As hybrid work, cloud adoption, and zero-trust initiatives continue to grow, many organizations are moving beyond traditional SD-WAN to a Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) model. Unified SASE integrates SD-WAN with Security Service Edge (SSE) to deliver comprehensive, cloud-delivered security and networking in one platform.
SSE typically includes Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), secure web gateway (SWG), zero-trust network access (ZTNA), and cloud access security broker (CASB). But not all SASE solutions are equal. Here are the capabilities to look for when evaluating vendors.
Unified: Simplify and Consolidate
A strong unified SASE solution removes complexity and improves visibility by:
- Providing a single management console to configure and enforce policies
- Using one endpoint agent to simplify deployment and reduce operational overhead
- Maintaining a single data lake for visibility, analytics, and insights
Flexible: Adapt to Evolving Needs
Today’s workforces are distributed and regulations vary by region. Your solution should be able to adapt with:
- Customizable policy enforcement to meet compliance and security standards
- Global points of presence (POPs) to secure users anywhere
- Scalable branch connectivity and intelligent access to SaaS and web applications
Intelligent: Automate and Optimize Security
Leverage AI-driven capabilities for better security and efficiency:
- Generative AI assistance for faster troubleshooting and simpler operations
- AI-powered security to protect users, applications, and data
- Automation with self-healing features to proactively resolve issues and optimize performance
Additional Features to Prioritize
Beyond the core unified, flexible, and intelligent capabilities, IT leaders should also seek:
- Fast and simple onboarding, especially for existing SD-WAN environments
- Simplified licensing to lower costs and reduce complexity
- Flexible zero-trust enforcement without disrupting the network
- Consistent ZTNA and security across all users and devices
- Digital experience monitoring to improve user satisfaction and speed up issue resolution
Want to see the full Fortinet “Unified SASE Must-Haves” Checklist? Download it here.
Talk to a Local Expert
Horizon works with organizations across Western Canada (including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) to design and implement secure networking solutions. Our team can guide you in selecting and deploying a Unified SASE solution that meets your operational, security, and compliance needs.
