Unleashing SASE for All: Empowering the Channel Ecosystem Business

The concept of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) promised a revolution in network security. Its core intent: to simplify the deployment and consumption of both networking and security functions. However, does the reality really live up to the initial hype?

The Intent Behind SASE

SASE is meant to streamline the delivery of network security functions, boosting efficiency and reducing complexity for organizations. Traditional approaches often involve a fragmented array of point products, each addressing a specific aspect of security or networking. This fragmentation not only complicates the management but also undermines the overall efficiency and security posture of organizations. SASE seeks to address these issues by converging various functions—such as SD-WAN, secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers (CASB), and zero-trust network access (ZTNA)—into a single, cohesive platform. The goal is to provide a more integrated, simpler, and scalable solution that meets the dynamic needs of today’s businesses.

The Search for True SASE

Many vendors, in the race to capitalize on the SASE gold rush, have simply stitched together existing point products. This creates a situation where complexity lurks beneath the surface of a supposedly unified solution. Acquisitions haven’t helped either, as vendors wrestle with integrating multiple management systems, further adding to the confusion.

What’s missing is a true SASE platform, one designed from the ground up for the convergence of networking and security. This platform needs to be cloud-native to handle the ever-increasing demands of bandwidth and innovation. Cloud-native services are able to leverage automatic updates and security patches, ensuring enterprise networks are always up-to-date. This eliminates the need for manual, often procrastinated, updates on physical appliances, saving time and minimizing security risks. Legacy vendors simply can’t compete with this vision.

Trying to find SASE & Deliver It

Even if a “true” SASE platform emerges, the question of delivery remains. Large enterprises with vast resources might enjoy the luxury of direct vendor SASE services. However, the vast majority – including a significant portion of large enterprises themselves – rely on channel partners to access and implement these solutions. These partners, be they Service Providers (SPs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Managed Service Providers (MSPs), or Value-Added Resellers (VARs), have faced their own challenges in delivering SASE efficiently and profitably to their diverse customer base. The challenges still come down to complexity in stitching together multiple point products, visibility into delivery of performance (and the opportunities of upsell), the ability to deliver value-added services, and, frankly, the “how” of everything SASE.

Cato SASE: A Platform Built for True SASE

Cato SASE Cloud Platform breaks free from the constraints of legacy solutions. Cato Networks has emerged as a game-changer in the SASE landscape by delivering a true SASE platform. Unlike fragmented or acquired solutions, Cato’s platform is designed from the ground up to integrate networking and security into a single, cloud-native service. This holistic approach ensures that businesses can easily adopt and benefit from SASE without the operational headaches associated with traditional or pseudo-SASE solutions.

Cato’s platform is built to scale, providing the performance and reliability needed to meet the demands of modern enterprises. It offers a unified, cloud-native platform designed specifically for the SASE model. This platform integrates critical networking and security functions –SWG, CASB, ZTNA, FWaaS, and more –  into a single, cohesive offering.

With Cato SASE Cloud Platform, organizations gain:

Cato MSASE: Empowering the Channel Ecosystem for SASE Delivery

Cato understands the critical role channel partners play in bringing SASE to the masses. That’s why we created the Cato MSASE Partner Platform. MSASE provides partners with a complete SASE toolkit specifically designed for their unique business models.

Here’s how Cato MSASE Partner Platform empowers the channel:

• Channel partners can now differentiate their solution in the SASE market with Cato MSASE Partner Platform. This platform leverages Cato’s converged, cloud-native, and global SASE platform, simplifying deployment and management. By consolidating networking and security into a single, multi-tenant platform, Cato MSASE empowers partners to streamline operations.  Partners can further amplify their differentiation by adding their own unique services and leveraging co-branding capabilities.
• Channel partners can accelerate their SASE go-to-market strategy with Cato’s comprehensive launch toolkit. By leveraging Cato’s decade of experience, partners gain access to pre-built resources including training programs, service description templates, and marketing materials. This allows them to launch their SASE offering quickly and confidently.
• Channel partners can close more deals, faster, with Cato’s proven tools. Leverage Test Drive templates and a 70%+ conversion Proof of Concept methodology to ignite customer interest. Partners can operate more independently with assets like quoting tools, free trial accounts, and comprehensive knowledge base.
• Partners can unlock profitability with Cato’s capex-free SASE Cloud service. This eliminates upfront hardware and licensing costs, making SASE highly competitive against traditional solutions.  Optional NOC and SOC services allow partners to execute now and invest later, while still offering customers security operations powered by AI and Cato’s expert playbooks. Additional insights offer partners visibility into upsell opportunities.

With Cato MSASE, any channel partner, regardless of size or expertise, can become a SASE powerhouse.

The Equalizer: SASE for All

By delivering a true SASE platform through a robust channel ecosystem, Cato empowers organizations of all sizes to benefit from the security and agility of SASE. Large enterprises, small businesses, and everything in between now have access to a comprehensive SASE solution that is easy to deploy, manage, and scale. This levels the security playing field, allowing organizations of all sizes to focus on their core business while leaving their security worries behind.

Cato MSASE, delivered through the power of the channel ecosystem, is the key to unlocking equal opportunity in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.