SASE Benefits: Why SASE Adoption is Crucial for Network Security in 2025 and Beyond

Technology vendors have been raving about “SASE benefits” for years now. The Secure Access Service Edge framework promises organisations an opportunity to reduce costs, improve scalability and agility, centralise network controls, and most importantly – strengthen security.

But as we head into 2025, demand for SASE solutions is growing for a range of reasons. Way back in 2021, Gartner predicted that 60% of all enterprises would have explicit strategies in place for implementing SASE by 2025, and it definitely seems like adoption is increasing. In 2024, Markets and Markets revealed that the SASE technology market is currently growing at a rate of 25% CAGR.

So, what’s driving the shift? What are the major benefits that companies can access by embracing SASE today, and how can organisations navigate SASE implementation effectively?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Understanding SASE: The Current State of the SASE Market

For those who don’t know already, SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a cloud-based framework designed to converge essential networking and security functions into a comprehensive platform.

It streamlines access to network applications and enhances security by integrating SD-WAN solutions with secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers, firewall as a service, and zero-trust network access (among other things). What makes SASE so valuable in today’s world is its ability to bring agility and true “convergence” to enterprise environments.

SASE ensures business leaders can enable hybrid work processes, simplify operations, and lower costs, all while reducing the potential impact of disastrous cyber-attacks. Xalient – one UK-based provider of advisory and managed services in the security and networking landscape released a report at the end of 2024, which highlighted the growing need for SASE solutions.

This report found that 99% of UK respondents had experienced a security attack in the previous 12 months, and over 85% said that criminals were taking advantage of “gaps” in their network security. The respondents said that shifting to a SASE solution was becoming increasingly important to fight back against the costs of traditional network architecture, move away from outdated security solutions (like VPNs), and enhance technology performance – while overcoming security threats.

SASE Benefits: Why SASE is Necessary in 2025

Ultimately, the rising adoption of cloud-based technologies, and the shift towards hybrid and remote working trends has exposed the issues with traditional security models. On-premises security solutions and disconnected “point” solutions aren’t capable of delivering the agility, flexibility, and comprehensive protection today’s businesses need.

SASE gives companies a way to “enhance” their security architecture and network environments that adheres to the current nature of the modern technology landscape. It can:

Address the Limitations of Traditional Security Solutions

Traditional security solutions can make it difficult for companies to fully “protect” a distributed workforce of team members accessing applications from numerous environments and devices. The SASE framework, with its cloud-delivered range of security functions, helps to eliminate blind spots and maintain consistent defences against attacks.

SASE converges everything companies need into a single environment, allowing for centralised network control, unified security policies, comprehensive visibility, and context-based user identity management. What’s more, with SASE, organisations can more rapidly adapt to evolving threats. They can access new malware protection and cloud access security brokers, intrusion detection and prevention tools, and proactive security management tools without the complexity that would be involved in purchasing multiple security systems separately.

Enhance Secure Remote Access

As hybrid and remote work continues to influence business operations and technology investments, the ability to enable secure access to corporate resources is becoming one of the biggest SASE benefits. With the SASE model, companies can take advantage of granular access controls and identity-based authentication, with policies they can manage in a central environment.

Remote browser isolation capabilities also enable support for web connectivity that protects any device connecting to the network from malware and similar attacks. On a broad level, SASE enables cloud adoption and supports the transition to hybrid work, without compromising security.

Simplify Network Management

The convergence of security solutions and networking tools within a SASE architecture helps to simplify network management, and makes life much easier for IT teams. Ultimately, that translates to better efficiency, reduced complexity, and fewer disruptions for teams.

Rather than having to manage countless different security systems and network elements through separate applications, IT teams can handle everything from a single pane of glass environment. Complexity can be further reduced by using a single vendor for SASE implementation, reducing the issues involved with managing multiple security systems and suppliers.

Improved App Performance

Beyond simply securing applications and networks, SASE helps to optimise network performance, and ensure consistent, reliable access to critical business tools for team members – wherever they are. The Xalient report mentioned above actually found that around 35% of respondents said improving the performance of business critical apps was their number one reason for embracing SASE.

SASE solutions offer better network latency characteristics than various old-fashioned solutions, such as VPNs, plus it allows companies to track how data flows through an ecosystem, meaning they can make changes to routing strategies as and when necessary.

Reduced Costs

One of the most significant SASE benefits driving adoption is its potential to drastically reduce costs across various aspects of enterprise operations. Traditional network and security infrastructures often rely on a patchwork of legacy systems, requiring substantial investment in hardware, maintenance, and support. This fragmented approach not only increases expenses but also adds complexity to management.

SASE eliminates the need for multiple standalone solutions by consolidating networking and security functions into a single, unified platform. This convergence leads to tangible cost savings by reducing hardware dependency, lowering operational expenses, and minimizing the need for separate licenses for various tools. Furthermore, SASE’s cloud-native model ensures organizations only pay for the resources they use, enabling better scalability and cost predictability.

Proactive Security: Staying Ahead of Evolving Threats

In today’s fast-changing digital landscape, the ability to stay one step ahead of cyber threats is one of the core SASE benefits. Traditional security frameworks often adopt a reactive approach, addressing vulnerabilities after they’ve been exploited. In contrast, SASE offers proactive threat detection and prevention capabilities, ensuring businesses can defend against emerging risks before they become critical.

SASE incorporates advanced threat intelligence, continuous monitoring, and AI-driven analysis to detect unusual behavior and prevent attacks in real time. This proactive stance is particularly valuable in combating advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware, and phishing attempts that target distributed workforces and cloud environments.

Additionally, SASE’s ability to enforce zero-trust principles means that every user and device is treated as a potential risk until proven otherwise. This ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive data and applications, reducing the likelihood of breaches caused by compromised credentials.

How to Unlock SASE Benefits: Implementation Tips

The SASE framework offers numerous advantages, but implementation isn’t without its challenges. Transitioning to a SASE architecture requires overcoming potential hurdles, such as cultural shifts within organizations and navigating the lack of standardised SASE products.

Here are some top implementation tips to help you access the best SASE benefits

Step 1: Preparation: Defining your Objectives

The key to unlocking the best SASE benefits lies in understanding your organisation’s current environment and future needs. Start by conducting a detailed audit of your existing network and security architecture. Identify pain points such as appliance sprawl, dependency on legacy systems like MPLS, or the need for secure remote work solutions.

Define your objectives clearly. Do you want to reduce network complexity, enhance security for hybrid workforces, or improve application performance? Each goal will shape your SASE strategy. For instance, organisations prioritising hybrid work may need granular identity-based access controls, while those focused on cloud environments might require advanced CASB functionality.

Next, map critical capabilities to use cases. This involves identifying overlapping requirements across scenarios, such as ensuring global private connectivity for MPLS replacement and security enhancements like intrusion prevention systems. Tailoring SASE capabilities to your specific needs helps create a solution that delivers maximum impact.

Step 2: Outline implementation plan

A well-structured implementation plan is essential to navigating SASE adoption effectively. Start by documenting each phase of the rollout, including prerequisites, milestones, and resource allocation. Define clear timelines for achieving specific objectives, such as transitioning from legacy VPNs to SD-WAN or integrating zero-trust network access (ZTNA) principles.

Remember the importance of “stakeholder involvement”. Specify the roles and responsibilities of IT, security, and leadership teams. Consider incorporating change management strategies to ensure team members adapt to new processes and tools seamlessly.

Industry standards like NIST Cybersecurity Framework or ISO/IEC 27001 can provide valuable guidance for structuring your plan. Just remember to keep updating your strategy over time, based on changing business priorities and requirements.

Step 3: Compare Single-Vendor and Multi-Vendor Solutions

Choosing between single-vendor and multi-vendor SASE solutions is a critical decision that influences the ease of implementation and long-term flexibility. Single-vendor solutions often provide a tightly integrated ecosystem, streamlining deployment and management. Benefits include simplified operations and potentially lower costs through economies of scale.

However, these solutions can lack the customization options needed for specific security controls, and vendor lock-in could limit future adaptability. In contrast, multi-vendor solutions allow organizations to cherry-pick best-of-breed technologies, offering enhanced security and tailored functionality. Yet, managing multiple vendors can introduce complexities, including unclear pricing and integration challenges.

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of your organization’s needs, scalability requirements, and existing partnerships to determine the best approach. For instance, if your company has a robust IT team capable of managing complex ecosystems, a multi-vendor approach might be ideal. Conversely, smaller teams may benefit from the simplicity of a single-vendor solution.

Step 4: Consider the Benefits of MSPs

Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can significantly reduce the burden of SASE adoption. MSPs bring specialized expertise to every phase of the process, from discovery to deployment and ongoing support.

• Discovery Phase: MSPs can help identify the most suitable technologies for your organization’s unique needs. They analyze your existing architecture, pinpoint gaps, and recommend solutions that align with your goals.
• Network Design and Rollout: Transitioning from MPLS to SD-WAN and implementing cloud-native security solutions are complex tasks. MSPs ensure a smooth migration by designing scalable networks, configuring policies, and maintaining robust security standards.
• Hybrid Transition Management: Moving from legacy systems to a fully cloud-based model often requires a hybrid period. MSPs manage this transition seamlessly, maintaining operational continuity while gradually introducing SASE components.
• Simplified Management: By consolidating management tasks under one partner, MSPs alleviate the complexity of handling multiple vendors and tools. This enables organizations to focus on strategic initiatives while ensuring day-to-day network operations run smoothly.

Step 4: Plan Implementation in Phases

Sometimes, the biggest business updates require a “patient” approach. A phased strategy for SASE implementation can reduce the strain on your IT teams, and minimise disruption. Begin by identifying critical areas of the network that require immediate upgrades, such as remote access for hybrid workers or enhancing cloud security for sensitive applications.

Proxy management is a key component during this phase. As highlighted in a recent Enterprise Strategy Group, organisations can leverage hybrid options to integrate existing proxies with cloud-based solutions, ensuring seamless user experiences while modernizing security architectures.

Segment operations into smaller, well-defined units. For example, replace on-premises proxies for specific locations before scaling to a broader rollout. This approach allows teams to resolve issues incrementally, gather valuable insights, and refine strategies before full implementation.

Step 5: Troubleshoot and test

No transition is complete without careful testing. Thoroughly vet each component of your SASE solution to ensure it performs as expected. This includes testing security controls, network performance, and user access across various scenarios.

Assign a dedicated troubleshooting team to monitor deployments and address potential bottlenecks. Regular feedback loops help identify weaknesses early, enabling prompt fixes. Additionally, simulate cyberattacks and stress-test the system to validate its resilience against real-world threats.

Effective testing not only prevents costly errors but also builds confidence among stakeholders, ensuring a smoother adoption journey. Remember, an MSP can help you with this troubleshooting and testing process, if you’re struggling to access the IT resources you need in-house.

Embrace New SASE Benefits in 2025

The digital landscape in 2025 is more complicated than ever before. SASE has become a critical enabler of agility, security, and operational efficiency in this environment, streamlining network control, enhancing visibility, and transforming access management.

The benefits of SASE in 2025 span everything from reduced costs, to simplified operations, and improved, consistent connectivity for remote workers.

Ready to make the transition into a new era of network security? Tech Grants not only offers the consultation advice and guidance businesses need to choose the ideal SASE vendor – we can also help you secure the funding you need for a successful implementation.

Contact Tech Grants today, and learn how you can future-proof your network with SASE.