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The SASE landscape is full of vendors. So full, in fact, that the entire SASE vendor market grew 37% in just a year between 2020 and 2021.  It’s clear that SASE is on the top of everyone’s minds. Why? SASE is the evolution of networking and security – an architecture that converges them into a single, cloud delivered service. This streamlined approach is key to securing and connecting the always-on, work-from-anywhere modern work model.

Graphic showing how SASE combines networking and security in the cloud.

Traditional, siloed security solutions aren’t equipped to handle all the challenges that come along with a multi-environment IT reality. The accelerated transition to hybrid work has increased complexity in managing security and connectivity. Businesses face increased cloud adoption, bring-your-own-device connectivity, increasingly complex cybersecurity threats, and the constant change. Businesses have struggled to keep up with the gaps in coverage, and tech vendors have hurried in to fill the space with cloud security and networking options. But not all SASE solutions are created equal.

In the rush to compete in the market for the future of networking and security, vendors positioned themselves as SASE without offering a truly integrated approach that’s critical to SASE success. Many vendors offer cloud security solutions with no native or integrated SD-WAN networking capability. Others aren’t backed with robust threat intelligence that enable them to effectively deliver on threat detection and prevention. Some don’t offer the flexibility and scalability that businesses need to adopt cloud-delivered security. Many don’t offer open, integrated management platforms. Plus, most organizations face monumental complexity – the exact opposite of what SASE should deliver – due to using several different vendors for different security functions.  

Dell’Oro Group, the trusted source for market information in the telecommunications, enterprise networks, and data center IT infrastructure industries, recognized Cisco as the SASE Market Share Leader in 2021, with 19% of the total market share by revenue.

“Cisco was the SASE market share leader because of the combined strength of their networking (SD-WAN) and security capabilities (including secure web gateway, cloud access security broker, and zero trust network access),” said Mauricio Sanchez, Research Director, Network Security, and SASE & SD-WAN at Dell’Oro Group.

At Cisco, we began our journey by pioneering network connectivity and offering innovative tech solutions; today, we have the most SD-WAN market share and secure 100% of Fortune 100 companies. From that foundation, we’ve been able to build and deliver award-winning cloud security solutions that, when combined with our networking services, create a robust, complete SASE architecture.

Cisco’s SASE approach combines networking, client connectivity, security, and internet and cloud intelligence capabilities and helps organizations:

  • Connect and secure access to applications, data, and the internet for distributed workforces from any location and any device
  • Gain end-to-end observability from the user all the way to applications, over any network or cloud
  • Optimize performance by ensuring the fastest, most reliable, and secure path to cloud data and applications
  • Lay the foundation for zero-trust with multi-factor authentication, dynamic device trust, adaptive authentication, and secure single sign-on for ever user and device
  • Leverage the cloud to increase business agility, remove complexity from your infrastructure, and provide immediate scalability

The benefits of a SASE model are unlocked by working with a single vendor who can bring together best-in-class networking, security, and internet and cloud intelligence—while offering the flexibility and investment protection to transition to the cloud at your pace.

While Cisco provides a comprehensive SASE framework, we know that everyone’s journey to the cloud is different. Organizations, especially now, are shifting and refining their strategies, particularly when it comes to cybersecurity and the increase of both the number and type of threats that businesses see every day. Cisco can help organizations make the most of their existing security and networking investments, while also offering increased and amplified functionality across their security infrastructure. Wherever you are on your journey to SASE, Cisco Secure has the unparalleled experience and reputation that can support you on your next steps.

Check out our SASE demo to find out how Cisco delivers a simple, secure, and scalable approach to SASE.


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Authors

Yuval Yatskan

Senior Director of Solutions and Product Marketing

Cisco Secure Marketing