New 2022 SASE Market Trends Study Shows Solutions Exceed Expectations in Remote Work Connectivity and Security
DALLAS, Texas and SUNNYVALLE, Calif. — June 28, 2022 — Masergy, the software-defined network and cloud platform for the digital enterprise, and Fortinet, a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, today released the results of a new Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) research study from CIO. The findings show recent trends are accelerating investments in SASE solutions with recognized benefits exceeding expectations across five key categories — most notably remote work connectivity and security performance.
This trend is the reason Fortinet and Masergy teamed up in 2020 to deliver a highly differentiated SASE architecture that converges security and networking. The Masergy-delivered SASE offering is built using Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, which converges highly scalable SD-WAN, next-generation firewall, advanced routing, and zero trust network access (ZTNA) into a single solution. Combined with Masergy’s global software-defined network, 24/7 network and security management services, industry-leading service level agreements, and exceptional customer experience, the joint SASE offering helps redefine what is possible for future-thinking businesses.
“An overwhelming majority of respondents (98%) believe convergence of network and security is critical or very important,” said Franz Chavez, Vice President, Solutions Engineering at Masergy, now part of Comcast Business. “We know that building intelligence across disciplines is essential in a world where work is no longer defined by location. Network and security teams require new ways of working together — across all domains and resources with shared visibility to drive actionable insights. That’s where SASE is gaining steam.”
Other notable findings from the CIO 2022 SASE Market Trends study include:
- 94% of respondents say their adoption of SASE solutions has accelerated due to the need to make digital services and/or remote/hybrid work sustainable for the long term
- The top four challenges driving interest in SASE solutions are:
- Cloud security, including visibility and control into cloud environments (52%);
- Innovation, including cloud application migration and artificial intelligence (44%);
- Security strategy, including implementing Zero Trust (41%); and
- Network security, including removing connectivity barriers without jeopardizing security (36%)
- In comparing anticipated benefits against experienced benefits, SASE solutions exceed user expectations in the areas of:
- Remote work connectivity (38% anticipated vs. 59% experienced)
- Security performance (55% anticipated vs. 69% experienced)
- Cost savings (33% anticipated vs. 45% experienced)
- Visibility into the IT environment (33% anticipated vs. 43% experienced)
- User experience (44% anticipated vs. 52% experienced)
- In selecting solutions, respondents prioritize:
- SD-WAN: SD-WAN came in as the most important core capability with Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) in second place and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) in third
- Network, Cloud, and Endpoint Security: When it comes to value-added features, respondents highly rate:
- Network security (91%)
- Flexibility to deploy security in the cloud or on-premise (91%)
- Endpoint security protections (91%)
- Unified Platform: 95% want a common operating system for their SASE solution
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): 91% consider it highly important that their SASE solution includes AI tools and features
- Vendor Consolidation: 87% prefer solutions manufactured by three or fewer vendors
- Managed Services: Nearly all respondents point to the need for help with SASE, including six in ten (63%) using a managed services provider for deployment and even more (75%) leaning on providers for ongoing SASE management
“As employees return to the office and organizations adopt a more hybrid work model to enable employees to work from anywhere, we see more IT teams finding that, for SASE to be deployed effectively, a Secure SD-WAN platform must be at its foundation and consistent across on-premises and in the cloud,” said Jonathan Nguyen-Duy, Vice President, Global Field CISO, Fortinet. “Above all, organizations that choose solutions rooted in Security-Driven Networking principles will ultimately be the most successful in ensuring optimal security and connectivity between data centers, branches, edges, and a remote workforce.”
Foundry’s CIO — the executive-level IT media brand providing insight into business technology leadership — conducted the research on behalf of Masergy and Fortinet. More than 200 IT decision makers (director-level and above) were surveyed across more than eight industries. Respondents included IT leaders working in U.S.-headquartered companies with at least $2.4B in revenue.
Download the complete research report
About Comcast Business
Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services.
For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at https://business.comcast.com/social.
About Fortinet
Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) makes possible a digital world that we can always trust through its mission to protect people, devices, and data everywhere. This is why the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and government organizations choose Fortinet to securely accelerate their digital journey. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protections across the entire digital attack surface, securing critical devices, data, applications, and connections from the data center to the cloud to the home office. Ranking #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide, more than 550,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. And the Fortinet NSE Training Institute, an initiative of Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Learn more at fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, or FortiGuard Labs.
About Masergy
Recognized as a pioneer in software-defined networking, Masergy is a leading secure cloud networking platform for global enterprise businesses. Masergy leverages artificial intelligence to enable superior application performance, offering managed SD-WAN, Security, UCaaS, and CCaaS solutions. Masergy was acquired by Comcast Business in October 2021 – combining the power and scale of Comcast’s network with Masergy’s industry-leading SLAs and exceptional customer experience to redefine what’s possible for future-thinking businesses. Learn more and follow us on our Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
# # #
Media Contact
Matt Helmke, Corporate Communications
Comcast Corporation
215-286-8666
[email protected]
Fortinet Media Contact
Travis Anderson
(208) 880-8134
[email protected]
Contact us today and consult with one of our SASE experts.
Call us now to arrange a consultation (866) 588-5885.
Or arrange for a consultation through our request form.
Three Considerations for Creating a Future-Ready Enterprise
Learn about what business leaders should do to create a technology-forward, future-ready enterprise.
Learn more about Three Considerations for Creating a Future-Ready Enterprise
Delivering On The Digital-First Promise: How To Meet Heightened Demand With Less Risk
The best digital strategies foster an IT ecosystem where checks and balances allow emerging technologies to synthesize with security and the network.
AI Can Automate Your Network: Buyer’s Guide from ZK Research
Want to use AI to automate your network? These three tips from ZK Research serve as a buyer’s guide for AIOps success.
Learn more about AI Can Automate Your Network: Buyer’s Guide from ZK Research
Sorting Out the Differences in SSE, SASE and SD-WAN
Running a network, connecting users to information, and defending enterprise data have all been becoming interdependent workloads. This article will help buyers sort out what they need and who offers the best solutions in each category.
Learn more about Sorting Out the Differences in SSE, SASE and SD-WAN
Think of SASE as a Framework — Not a Checklist
A checklist approach to SASE can be problematic. Instead, tailor your perfect SASE solution to solve your biggest business problems — here’s how.
Learn more about Think of SASE as a Framework — Not a Checklist
Masergy Acquisition helps Comcast Business be Named a 2022 Market Leader for Managed SD-WAN Services and SDN Transformation Services by ISG
Solution advancements as well as the increased capabilities gained from Masergy make Comcast Business an SD-WAN 'Leader'.
CIO Survey Says SASE Solutions are Exceeding Expectations
New research from CIO reveals which SASE features early adopters prioritize and where benefits payout beyond initial predictions.
Learn more about CIO Survey Says SASE Solutions are Exceeding Expectations
Masergy, Fortinet, and Ingram Micro Trailblazing SD-WAN for Resellers with New Managed Services Sales Route
Offering enables resellers to easily scale their businesses, meeting growing demand for network and security services supporting hybrid work.
The Transformation Trifecta at the Heart of the Hybrid Work Revolution
How sustainable is your hybrid work strategy? It's time to unite the disciplines of connectivity, cybersecurity and collaboration.
Learn more about The Transformation Trifecta at the Heart of the Hybrid Work Revolution
Masergy Wins “Editor’s Choice MSSP of the Year” Global InfoSec Award During RSA Conference 2022
As a leading managed security services provider, Masergy earns one of Cyber Defense Magazine’s most prestigious awards. Here’s why.
Getting Software‑Defined Network as a Service (SD‑NaaS) Right
Explore modern SD-NaaS, understanding benefits, drawbacks, ways to get started, and considerations when selecting your provider.
Learn more about Getting Software‑Defined Network as a Service (SD‑NaaS) Right
The Comcast Business Story – An Overview
Comcast Business and Masergy have joined forces - We are your one provider for all your secure networking needs.
SEVEN leaders from Comcast Business and Masergy recognized on CRN’s 2022 Women of the Channel List!
New Distribution Route Makes SD-WAN Services Frictionless for Resellers
Learn more about New Distribution Route Makes SD-WAN Services Frictionless for Resellers
Can you hear me OK? How to keep video conferencing from dragging down your network
A more reliable network service is non-negotiable when relying on video conferencing for hybrid work. Here’s what IT leaders should consider.
Learn more about Can you hear me OK? How to keep video conferencing from dragging down your network
Making the Business Case for SASE
Want to make SASE a no-brainer? Explore the essential elements for justifying your investment, and leveraging your existing initiatives to get started.
Masergy Awarded 2022 TMCnet Remote Work Pioneer Award
Masergy succeeds in making remote work actually work well for IT teams in the long run.
Learn more about Masergy Awarded 2022 TMCnet Remote Work Pioneer Award
Masergy Awarded 2022 INTERNET TELEPHONY SD-WAN Product of the Year Award
Masergy’s SD-WAN demonstrates the innovation, vision, and execution to deliver software-based networking tools driving upward market trajectory.
Learn more about Masergy Awarded 2022 INTERNET TELEPHONY SD-WAN Product of the Year Award
Masergy Acquisition Helps Comcast Business Achieve #2 Position in 2021 U.S. Carrier Managed SD-WAN Services Leaderboard
As the fastest growing SD-WAN company, Comcast Business takes second position, thanks to organic growth and Masergy.
Masergy Wins Fortinet’s MSSP Partner of the Year Award
The award recognizes Masergy's exemplifying innovation, growth, and strategic business alignment with Fortinet.
Learn more about Masergy Wins Fortinet’s MSSP Partner of the Year Award
AIOps lessons learned: Be careful when selecting a vendor
The path to AI raises several questions. Where should you start? Learn how AIOps can make operations speedier and more efficient.
Learn more about AIOps lessons learned: Be careful when selecting a vendor
Masergy Named as a Visionary in 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Network Services, Global for Sixth Consecutive Year
Masergy today announced it has been named a Visionary in Gartner, Inc.’s March 2022 Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global, report.
Improve your hybrid workplace video experience: Proven approaches for multi-cloud application performance management
Companies need guaranteed performance between their enterprise network and the UC provider’s service network. Here's how to ensure it.
Meeting the moment for hybrid work cybersecurity
A growing number of cyberattacks and the explosion of hybrid work have pushed security resources to the brink, exposing the need for more managed services backed by machine learning.
Learn more about Meeting the moment for hybrid work cybersecurity