7 Common Requirements in This Category

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1. Unified Networking and Security Architecture A SASE platform should combine core network and security functions into a cohesive service rather than forcing teams to stitch together disconnected products. At minimum, buyers usually look for tight integration between SD-WAN or traffic steering, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and ZTNA, with shared policy and visibility across users, devices, branches, and cloud environments. 2. Identity-Based Access and Zero Trust Controls Modern SASE platforms should make access decisions based on identity and context, not just IP address or network location. This includes support for user and device identity, posture checks, continuous verification, and granular policy enforcement so access can be limited to the specific applications, services, or destinations a user or system actually needs. 3. Secure Remote Access Without Legacy VPN Dependence Replacing or reducing dependence on traditional VPNs is a common driver for SASE adoption. Strong platforms provide application-level or policy-based access for remote users, third parties, and hybrid workers without exposing broad network access, while still maintaining usability and performance. 4. SaaS, Web, and Cloud Traffic Protection Because much of enterprise traffic now goes directly to the internet and SaaS applications, SASE platforms need strong controls for web access, cloud application use, and data movement. This often includes URL filtering, threat inspection, SaaS visibility, shadow IT detection, data protection policies, and controls that follow users regardless of where they connect from. 5. Global Performance and Distributed Points of Presence Security controls are only useful if they do not create unnecessary latency or reliability issues. Buyers should assess the provider’s global points of presence, backbone design, peering strategy, traffic optimization, and ability to deliver a consistent user experience for branch offices, roaming users, and cloud applications across different regions. This is especially important in SASE, where networking and security are both being delivered as a cloud service. 6. Centralized Policy, Visibility, and Operations A core value proposition of SASE is operational simplification. Platforms should provide centralized policy management, unified monitoring, audit trails, and reporting across network and security controls, so teams can understand how access is being used, where policies are failing, and whether threats or misuse are being detected consistently across the environment. 7. Resilience, Compliance, and Deployment Flexibility For enterprise and regulated environments, the platform should support high availability, regional coverage, data handling controls, and deployment options that fit hybrid environments. Buyers may also need support for phased migration from existing branch, firewall, or VPN infrastructure, along with administrative separation, logging retention, and controls that align with internal compliance requirements. With Cybermatch, SASE products are compared against these criteria so security teams can identify which platforms best fit their network architecture, remote access model, cloud footprint, and operational requirements, rather than treating SASE as just another firewall or SD-WAN refresh.

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