Cloud-native carrier, Cato Networks announced recently that it had been identified as a Sample Vendor by Gartner's Hype Cycle for Enterprise Networking in 2019, in the SASE category. According to the report, services in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) environment will bring together a number of disparate network security and network services, including secure web gateway, SD-WAN, software-defined perimeter, CASB, and DNS protection or firewall as a service.
Cato Networks' co-founder and CEO, Shlomo Kramer, said that the company is honoured to be recognised by Gartner as a Sample vendor. The business believes that this accolade highlights Cato as the world's first leading SASE platform. Since the brand was founded, the team has focused on converging security and networking in the cloud, creating a global, cloud-native architecture that secures and connects all cloud resources, locations, and mobile users.
Making Legacy Security and Networking Obsolete
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Shlomo Kramer[/caption]
SASE is quickly emerging in response to the changing needs of digital businesses around the world. Digital transformation is pushing people to reconsider the way they build and use enterprise networks. According to Gartner, the adoption of cloud, mobile, and edge-deployment models are fundamentally changing network traffic patterns, rendering existing models for security and networking obsolete.
Providing secure access to the cloud in this new environment will demand more focus on cloud-based services. According to Gartner, customer demands for flexibility, scalability, and simplicity will force convergence of the WAN network security and edge markets, creating a secure access service edge with a cloud-based and as-a-service model of delivery.
Gartner also believes that geographical footprint will be critical as many emerging edge applications are sensitive to latency. A cloud-based delivery approach will be crucial to keep speeds high. What's more, SASE could have a significant impact on the communications vendor and service provider markets going forward too. Gartner noted that networking and security vendors that aren't embracing the transition into this new market could lose their influence with buyers and find themselves restricted to niches with limited prospects.
Additionally, traditional CSPs are beginning to bet that the heavy-branch approach delivered through provider-managed CPEs will help them to re-establish control and achieve revenue growth. SASE makes a significant threat to this strategy, as CSPs will lack the ability to compete effectively with OTT SASE providers. This change mirrors the loss of control that CSPs have experienced with the introduction of SD-WAN services provided "over the top" of other environments.
Cloud-Native Architecture is Crucial for SASE
Converging security and networking solutions is becoming an essential strategy for today's SASE platforms. However, it's important to note that this convergence shouldn't be delivered by merely integrating appliances. Gartner believes that an appropriate software architecture is necessary. Indeed, there's a good chance that we'll see a number of significant SASE announcements in the months ahead as vendors partner and merge to compete in the new market.
Gartner Hype Cycle[/caption]
