IT Teams

  • 14 min read

Top 10 Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Tools in 2024

Sreenidhe S.P

28th December, 2023

SHARE ON:

As an IT manager, you are tasked with ensuring the security, efficiency, and reliability of your organization's network infrastructure, all while supporting remote work and cloud-based applications. This is where Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) tools come into play, providing a comprehensive solution to address modern networking and security challenges like cyber attacks.

The existing security network architecture was designed considering the enterprise data center for access needs. However, digitalization, cloud computing, and remote work culture demand advanced security and quick access for users, SaaS applications, and data outside the enterprise perimeter.

So, it's important for businesses to ditch legacy systems and instead opt for cloud-based, dynamic, policy-based security software. This is where the concept of Secure Access Service Edge or SASE tools emerged.

Integrating network and security services ensures that your employees, whether in the office or working remotely, have secure access to the necessary resources. This adaptability simplifies network management for your IT security team, streamlining operations and enhancing security simultaneously.

Presently, quite a few SASE vendors provide quality service in terms of networking, security features, and the geographical reach of their systems. But first, let's understand some key features you need to consider before selecting a SASE vendor.

Key Features of SASE Tools

Now, let's discuss the various features you must consider while choosing the suitable secure access service edge tool for your organization.

• Unified Network and Security: SASE tools offer a unified approach to network security services. They combine wide area networking (WAN) and security functions into a single cloud-based solution. This simplifies the management of your network and security, reducing complexity and improving efficiency.

• Cloud-native Architecture: SASE tools are built on a cloud-native architecture. This means they leverage the cloud's scalability and flexibility to provide on-demand services. It allows your organization to adapt quickly to changing business needs and scale your network and security as required.

• Zero Trust Security: SASE embraces the Zero Trust security model. With SASE, you can enforce strict access controls and policies, ensuring that only authorized users and devices can access your network resources.

• Secure Remote Access: SASE tools excel in providing secure remote access for your remote and mobile workforce. They ensure employees can access company resources safely from anywhere without compromising security. This is crucial in today's hybrid work environments.

• Edge-based Security: SASE operates at the network edge, providing security closer to where your users and devices connect to the internet. This approach minimizes latency and enhances protection by inspecting traffic entering and leaving your network.

• SD-WAN Integration: Many SASE solutions integrate Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) capabilities. This means that not only is your network secure, but it's also optimized for performance. SD-WAN improves application performance and user experience.

• Global Network of Points of Presence (PoPs): SASE providers often have a global network of PoPs strategically placed worldwide. This ensures that your users experience low-latency connections and reliable access to network and security services, regardless of location.

• Threat Intelligence and Analytics: SASE tools have advanced threat intelligence and analytics. They continuously monitor network traffic, identifying and mitigating threats in real time. This proactive approach helps prevent security breaches and data loss.

In this post, we will discuss the top 10 SASE platforms you can opt for to secure your corporate network. But before discussing the list of tools, let us introduce Zluri here.

Leverage Zluri to Meet Your SASE Requirements

Zluri offers a powerful SaaS management platform that acts as your trusted partner to ensure secure access for your employees. Let's explore how Zluri helps you achieve this:

• Centralized SaaS Inventory

Maintaining control over access to sensitive data is essential. Zluri simplifies this critical task by providing a unified view of your SaaS applications. With five powerful discovery methods, Zluri excels at identifying your SaaS landscape, offering real-time insights into all your SaaS applications. Its centralized view enables you to effectively monitor resource access, user behavior, and any unusual events, thus ensuring comprehensive control over your valuable data.

• Role-Based Access Control

Zluri makes it easy to manage access based on roles within your organization. By limiting employees' access according to their job functions, you can safeguard your business infrastructure. This not only enhances identity security but also streamlines business processes. It's all about giving the right people the right access.

• Maintain Least Privilege Access

Zluri follows the principle of least privilege, meaning employees only have access to what's necessary for their roles. This minimizes the risk of spreading threats within your organization. If malware infiltrates, it won't have the freedom to wreak havoc across the network. It's a simple but effective way to prevent security breaches.

• One-Click De-Provisioning

When an employee leaves your company, Zluri ensures their access to all apps is promptly revoked. This includes access to apps beyond SSO or Google Workspace. Data is securely backed up, licenses are canceled, and you can reassign them. Zluri even keeps track of user activities, ensuring no loose ends.

In short, Zluri offers a comprehensive solution for secure employee access to your SaaS apps. With centralized control, role-based access, least privilege principles, and efficient de-provisioning, your data stays safe, and your organization stays protected. Trust Zluri to manage your SaaS security effectively. Book your demo today.

10 SASE Tools 

Below mentioned are a wide range of SASE platforms.

1. Palo Alto

Palo Alto SASE system is a convergence of Prisma Access security service and CloudGenix SD-WAN, which the company recently acquired in 2020 for $420 million. It consolidates multiple products like Cloud SWG, ZTNA, FWaaS, ADEM, and NG CASB into a single platform that removes traffic complexity and provides quick access to its users.

Prisma Access uses a Zero Trust posture to secure all apps used in the hybrid environment regardless of where users work remotely or from their office. Palo Alto is best for businesses wanting complete data visibility to move to the cloud.

Key Features

• Cloud-native Architecture: Palo Alto's SASE capabilities are built on a cloud-native architecture. This means that your approach to network security is agile and scalable, adapting to your organization's changing needs. 
  
  Whether you're scaling up due to growth or quickly responding to a security threat, Palo Alto's cloud-native approach ensures that your network security remains resilient and responsive.

• Zero Trust Security Model: With Palo Alto Networks, you can establish a zero-trust network, meaning no user or device is automatically trusted. All connections and access requests are rigorously authenticated and authorized, reducing the risk of breaches.

• Secure Remote Access: Palo Alto's security capability provides a secure gateway for remote workers, ensuring they can access company resources without compromising security. With SASE, you can provide your remote employees with a seamless and secure experience.

• User and Device Visibility: Palo Alto's SASE capability offers deep visibility into the behavior of users and devices on your network. This visibility lets you quickly detect and respond to anomalies or potential security threats. 

• Application-aware Security: Palo Alto's SASE capability offers application-aware security, allowing you to control application access based on policies. You can protect critical business applications while limiting access to non-essential resources.

• Global Network of Cloud Services: Palo Alto's SASE capability leverages a global network of cloud services to optimize performance and ensure that your security policies are consistently enforced across your entire network. 

Customer rating

• G2: 5/5

• Capterra: 4.6/5

2. ForcePoint 

ForcePoint is one such SASE platform that goes beyond offering secured endpoints. It does not just provide secure access to cloud, web, and private applications and helps admins control how their data is used after it's downloaded. ForcePoint is recognized as a cybersecurity leader by Forrester, NSS Labs, Gartner, and others.

Dynamic Edge Protection is ForcePoint's cloud-native SASE suite that provides uniform data protection, prevents data loss at endpoints, and reduces any SASE complexity. ForcePoint offers a complete 360-degree view of people, data, and systems. When requested, it continuously conducts a risk assessment and alerts the company.

Key Features

• Cloud-Native Simplicity: ForcePoint is designed with a cloud-native architecture, making it an ideal choice for the SASE era. It seamlessly integrates with cloud applications and services, ensuring consistent and scalable security across your network.

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): ForcePoint follows the Zero Trust philosophy, offering granular access control. With ZTNA, you can establish trust no matter where users or devices are located, significantly reducing the attack surface.

• Data Protection and DLP: ForcePoint's data protection and data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities are second to none. You can safeguard sensitive data with precise policies, even as your data moves between cloud applications and on-premises systems.

• Dynamic Edge Protection: The dynamic edge protection provided by ForcePoint is essential in the SASE framework. It adapts to your network's changing conditions, ensuring users and devices remain secure, no matter where they connect from.

• Threat Protection: ForcePoint's Threat Protection is your frontline defense against modern cyber threats. Its advanced threat intelligence and real-time detection protect your network from malicious actors and emerging threats.

• Cloud Security: As data migrates to the cloud, ForcePoint ensures that your cloud applications and services remain secure. It offers robust cloud security capabilities, protecting your critical data and systems.

• Global Network of Cloud PoPs: ForcePoint's global network of cloud Points of Presence (PoPs) ensures low-latency, high-performance access for your remote users, no matter where they are located.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.2/5

• Capterra: 4.3/5

3. Fortinet

Fortinet offers a fully integrated SASE solution with security-driven networking functionalities to distributed and dynamic networks. Instead of adopting an isolated cloud-based approach, Fortinet leverages the features of both Fortinet Security Fabric and FortiOS, an operating system that binds the entire Fortinet security solution.

Fortinet offers various tools and functionalities like DNS, FWaaS, IPS, DLP, SWG, VPN, and ZITNA. All of them combined to provide excellent security at every network edge. FortiSASE is a highly scalable security system that always provides remote users access.

Key Features

• Converged Security and Networking: Fortinet SASE fuses security and networking, effectively streamlining your IT operations. It combines the power of networking and security services, allowing your team to consolidate your organization’s tech stack.

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Fortinet SASE embraces the Zero Trust model, verifying the identity of every user and device attempting to access your network. With ZTNA, you can ensure that only authorized individuals and devices gain entry, significantly reducing the attack surface and enhancing your network's security posture.

• Cloud-Native Architecture: Fortinet SASE leverages a cloud-native architecture, providing scalability and flexibility. This cloud-centric approach enables seamless integration with cloud applications, ensuring your remote and branch offices can connect securely to cloud services. 

• AI-Driven Security: With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, including AI-driven security in Fortinet SASE is a game-changer. This can detect and respond to threats in real-time, fortifying your network's defenses and keeping your organization ahead of the curve in terms of cybersecurity.

• Simplified Management and Analytics: Fortinet SASE offers an intuitive and centralized management console. You can easily set policies, monitor network activity, and gain insights into traffic patterns. With comprehensive analytics, you can identify areas for improvement, optimize network performance, and make informed decisions to enhance security.

• Integrated SD-WAN: The software's integration of SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) capabilities allows for a more efficient and cost-effective network. This integrated solution simplifies branch network management while optimizing network traffic.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.6/5

• Capterra: 4.3/5

4. Zscaler

Zscaler SASE solution is a scalable cloud security platform with most internet exchanges to provide faster and more secure user access to SaaS solutions and enterprise information. Businesses can reduce significant IT costs with Zscaler, as it's easier to deploy and manage, plus it enables secure digital transformation without using the technology of existing legacy infrastructure.

Security is the utmost priority of Zscaler SASE. All user connections are inspected and secured, regardless of their location, what applications they access, or what encryption is used. The Zscaler architecture hides all source identities, like IP addresses, to avoid any security attacks on the corporate network.

Key Features

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): One of Zscaler's key features is Zero Trust Network Access, a fundamental concept in SASE. Zscaler enables this by providing secure, identity-based access controls, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or lateral movement in your network.

• Secure Web Gateways (SWG) and Cloud Firewall: Zscaler SASE offers powerful Secure Web Gateways and Cloud Firewalls that filter internet traffic at the edge, ensuring that malicious content never enters your network. These provide granular visibility and control over web and cloud application usage, enabling you to effectively enforce your organization's security policies.

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Zscaler offers DLP capabilities that allow you to monitor and protect your data from being exfiltrated or leaked through various channels, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

• Built-in Secure Access to Cloud Applications: Zscaler enables secure and direct access to these applications. This feature ensures that your remote and branch office users can access cloud services without compromising security, thanks to its integration with SASE principles.

• VPN Alternative: Zscaler's security service edge (SSE) provides a simpler and more effective alternative for secure remote access, eliminating the need for backhauling traffic through data centers. This results in lower latency and improved user experiences.

• Global Network of Security Clouds: With a global network of security clouds, Zscaler ensures low latency and high-performance security for users, regardless of their location. This enables a consistent user experience and robust security posture for your organization.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.7/5

• Capterra: 4.1/5

5. CATO Network

CATO Network is the world's first SASE vendor that promises a security solution that your organization can adapt quickly. Using this, businesses can easily connect their users, cloud resources, and applications to the CATO SaaS cloud and benefit from this scale-unified network through a single-source console.

CATO has a self-service architecture and results in providing maximum uptime. It contains the capabilities of WAN optimization, cloud optimization, and Global Route optimization. Plus, CATO offers a secure web gateway that provides advanced threat protection to both cloud and mobile users.

In addition, the CATO management console provides your team with a unified view of their network and security policies. This unified platform simplifies configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, reducing administrative overhead.

Key Features

• Unified Network and Security: CATO Network seamlessly combines network and security functions into a single cloud-native platform. This simplifies the management of complex networks and security policies, making it easier for your team to secure their organization's data and ensure reliable connectivity.

• Global Cloud Network: With CATO's global network of PoPs (Points of Presence), your remote offices, branches, and users can connect effortlessly to the internet and cloud services worldwide. This ensures low latency, optimized performance, and high availability, regardless of your location.

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): In a world where trust can no longer be assumed, CATO Network embraces a Zero Trust approach. It authenticates users and devices, granting access only to authorized resources. 

• Cloud-Native Security Services: CATO offers a comprehensive suite of endpoint security services, including a next-generation firewall, secure web gateway, anti-malware, and data loss prevention. These services are natively integrated into the platform, reducing complexity and increasing security effectiveness.

• Built-in SD-WAN: Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is a critical component of SASE. CATO Network incorporates SD-WAN capabilities to optimize traffic routing, prioritize applications, and enhance the user experience. 

• Identity-Aware Access: CATO Network supports identity-aware access policies, enabling you to define and enforce user-based rules. This granular control enhances your approach to network security functions by restricting access based on user attributes and roles.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.3/5

• Capterra: 4.7/5

6. Perimeter 81

The Perimeter 81 contains all elements of SASE tools like FaaS (Firewall As A Service), VPNs, user-centric network architecture, and edge service for security at application and network endpoints.

It provides ultimate flexibility since you aren't limited to a single infrastructure; you can create a mix of your system, such as placing your gateway client at the perimeter of your place or on every endpoint at virtual offices to help users access a secure network at all locations.

All of its operations of Perimeter 81 are located in the cloud; however, you have to install a VPN at each endpoint. This way, your organization can integrate all their sites into a single platform.

Key Features

• Cloud-Native Architecture: Perimeter 81 leverages the power of the cloud to provide scalable and reliable services. This ensures that your network security can easily adapt to the changing needs of your organization.

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Embracing the zero trust philosophy, Perimeter 81 only grants access to trusted users and devices, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

• Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP): SDP is the backbone of Perimeter 81's security model. It establishes a dynamic, on-demand, and identity-centric network perimeter that isolates and protects your resources.

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Perimeter 81 integrates a secure web gateway, which filters web traffic to protect against malicious content and potential threats. This feature ensures that all web traffic is scrutinized, guaranteeing a secure online experience.

• Multi-Layered Firewall: Perimeter 81's firewall is not just any firewall. It's a multi-layered fortress that guards your network against a wide spectrum of cyber threats. From application-layer filtering to intrusion prevention, this firewall has your back.

• Global Network of Secure Servers: Perimeter 81 offers a global network of secure servers, ensuring low-latency connections and reliable service, no matter where your employees are located.

• Traffic and Data Analytics: Get insights into your network traffic and user behavior through advanced analytics, helping you identify potential security gaps and optimize your security strategy.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.8/5

• Capterra: 4.5/5

7. McAfee

McAfee is a SASE vendor offering on-point data and threat prevention from all devices to the cloud by leveraging Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) in a single offering.

These technologies help your organization secure the data on the cloud and outside its perimeter. McAfee prevents any cloud-native breach attempts that go unnoticed in the corporate network.

The platform delivers a fast and secure SASE experience, all thanks to its fast, low-latency Service Edge and industry-leading SD-WAN appliances. This creates a safe environment for cloud adoption from any device. MacFee also reduces unnecessary traffic backhauling with efficient direct-to-cloud access.

Further, McAfee's SASE capabilities are built on a cloud-native architecture, ensuring agility and scalability. This means your organization can effortlessly adapt to changing requirements while maintaining top-notch security.

Key Features

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): McAfee's ZTNA capabilities verify the identity of users and devices before granting them access to network resources. This zero-trust approach reduces the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement within your network.

• Integrated Security: With McAfee, SASE security isn't an add-on; it's integrated into the fabric of the network. This means advanced threat protection is seamlessly applied, including firewalls, intrusion prevention, and secure web gateways.

• User and Device Authentication: Ensuring the right users and devices are connecting to your network is paramount. McAfee's SASE capabilities offer strong authentication methods, enhancing security without compromising user experience.

• Optimized Cloud Connectivity: McAfee's SASE solution includes SD-WAN capabilities, optimizing the performance of cloud applications and reducing latency for remote users. This ensures a seamless experience for employees, no matter where they're located.

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Safeguard your organization's critical data with DLP features that can prevent sensitive information from leaving your network, even in remote work scenarios.

• Threat Intelligence: McAfee's SASE tools harness the power of threat intelligence, providing real-time insights to proactively identify and respond to emerging security threats.

Customer rating

• G2: 4/5

• Capterra: 4.2/5

8. Twingate

Twingate is an excellent SASE solution for distributed workforces. Your organization still using corporate VPNs exposed to public gateways, security breaches, and costly deployment. Wingate provides organizations with a Zero Trust Network that is much more secure and requires the least maintenance.

This cloud-based software makes your corporate network invisible, thus reducing exposure to attacks. Your IT security team can easily deploy Twingate under software-defined parameters without changing its infrastructure. It will allow teams to manage user access on the cloud, on-premise, or applications.

Twingate can integrate with your existing security stack, such as Single Sign-On (SSO), Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms.

Key Features

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Twingate adheres to the core principles of Zero Trust, ensuring that every request is authenticated and authorized, regardless of location or network. With a "never trust, always verify" approach, Twingate minimizes the attack surface and strengthens your security posture.

• Multi-Cloud Compatibility: For organizations with a distributed presence, Twingate shines by offering seamless compatibility with multiple cloud providers. Whether you use AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, Twingate works harmoniously across them all.

• End-to-End Encryption: Twingate's security functionality is second to none. All data transmitted is encrypted end-to-end, ensuring that your sensitive information remains protected during transit.

• Comprehensive Visibility: Gain a deeper understanding of your private network access with Twingate's insightful reporting and analytics. You can easily monitor user activities, potential threats, and network performance.

• Global Network of Points of Presence (PoPs): Twingate's global network of PoPs ensures low-latency access, no matter where your users are located. This is crucial for a fast and seamless user experience.

• Granular Access Control: Twingate's policies enable you to grant access at a granular level. You can define who has authorized access to what, based on roles and responsibilities.

Customer rating

• G2: 5/5

• Capterra: 5/5

9. Netskope

Netskope' NewEdge is recognized as a SASE company in the 2022 Gartner report. One of the highest-performing SASE architectures secures cloud data by deploying security at the edge. NewEdge configures Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Next-Generation Secure Web Gateway, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

The Netspoke SASE solution is built to offer premium performance and security features that complement the need for today's enterprise's demand. With Netskope's Trust Portal, users can get real-time insights on NewEdge infrastructure and Netskope Security Cloud Services.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Cloud Security: Netspoke seamlessly integrates with your cloud applications, offering secure access from anywhere. With built-in security measures, you can trust that your data is safeguarded, even beyond the traditional network perimeter.

• Global Network Optimization: Netspoke SASE optimizes network performance globally for the modern, distributed workforce. It ensures quick and reliable access to your resources, reducing latency and downtime.

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Netspoke adopts a Zero Trust model, meaning it never assumes trust based on location. Instead, it continuously authenticates and verifies users and devices, ensuring only the right people access your network.

• Real-time Threat Detection: Netspoke SASE constantly monitors your network, identifying and responding to potential threats in real time. It keeps you informed and takes action before problems escalate.

• Compliance and Reporting: With built-in compliance tools, Netspoke simplifies the process of meeting regulatory requirements. It provides detailed reports for audits, ensuring your network is always compliant.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.3/5

• Capterra: 4.5/5

10. Cloudflare

Cloudflare One is a SASE solution offered by the cybersecurity giant Cloudflare. It includes elements such as the WARP, Magic Transit, Cloudflare Network Interconnect (CNI), and Argo for routing.

The Cloudflare One package offers a Zero Trust network access (ZTNA) system for secure remote access and FWAAS for advanced threat protection. Businesses can use the Cloudflare CDN to protect cloud data, deliver all applications through the cloud server, and filter user data access.

Key Features

• Zero Trust Security: Cloudflare's SASE adopts a zero trust approach, meaning that every user, device, and network connection is treated as potentially untrusted. This ensures that only authorized entities gain access to your network resources, significantly reducing the risk of breaches.

• Global Network: One of Cloudflare's standout features is its vast global network of data centers. This network infrastructure allows for low-latency, high-performance connectivity regardless of your team's location. With Cloudflare's SASE, your remote employees can enjoy the same level of performance as if they were in the office.

• Integrated Security: Cloudflare integrates various security features into its SASE solutions. These include firewall capabilities, DDoS protection, malware filtering, and data loss prevention, ensuring a comprehensive shield against evolving threats.

• User-Centric Control: With Cloudflare SASE, you can set user-centric policies. This means you can tailor access permissions and security settings for different employees, allowing flexibility and fine-tuned control over network access.

• Cloud-Native Architecture: Cloudflare's SASE tools leverage cloud-native architecture, making them highly adaptable and future-proof. 

• Insightful Analytics: Cloudflare provides in-depth analytics, allowing IT managers to gain insights into user behavior, traffic patterns, and potential threats in real-time.

Customer rating

• G2: 4.5/5

• Capterra: 4.8/5

Comparison Table of SASE Solutions

Below mentioned is the comparison table for all the above-mentioned SASE companies.

About the author

Sreenidhe S.P

Sreenidhe is a SaaS management expert and has a keen interest in ITAM and SAM practices. She is adept when it comes to SaaS Vendor Management and SaaS Spend management. Her knowledge of SaaS and SaaS management is self-thought and is based on a lot of reading. Before joining Zluri, Sreenidhe was working as a full-time journalist. She is also equally passionate about fashion and aspires to own a boutique someday.