Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) converges wide area networking (SD-WAN) and network security (FWaaS, SWG, ZTNA, CASB) into a single cloud-delivered service — eliminating the complexity of backhauling traffic to data center security stacks and providing consistent security enforcement regardless of where users work.
SASE is the right architectural direction for most enterprises, but the market is fragmented — no single vendor delivers all SASE components equally well. RLM advises on SASE platform selection, phased implementation, and the vendor architecture (single-vendor vs. best-of-breed) that matches your organization's capabilities.
A structured advisory process — from discovery and market evaluation to vendor selection and post-deployment optimization — tailored to your specific environment and objectives.
We assess your current network and security architecture — traffic flows, security policy complexity, inspection requirements, and the gaps between your current state and a target SASE architecture.
We evaluate SASE platforms — Palo Alto Prisma SASE, Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, Cato Networks, Cisco+ Secure Connect, and others — against your specific requirements, emphasizing cloud integration, inspection quality, and operational complexity.
Single-vendor SASE simplifies operations; best-of-breed provides best-in-class capability in each component. We advise on the architecture that matches your organization's operational maturity and security requirements.
SASE adoption is a multi-phase journey. We design the migration sequence — typically starting with SWG and ZTNA, then adding FWaaS and SD-WAN integration — that delivers early wins while building toward the full architecture.
These are the dimensions that consistently separate successful network deployments from costly ones — and the questions RLM will help you answer before any commitment.
SASE value depends on SD-WAN and security components being integrated — not just sold by the same vendor. Evaluate the quality of SD-WAN integration with security services, particularly for on-premises branch traffic. Evaluate branch traffic inspection architecture and the SD-WAN to security service chain quality for each SASE platform.
Cloud-delivered security adds latency if not architected correctly. Evaluate Points of Presence (PoP) density, inspection throughput, and latency impact for your geographic locations.
SASE architectures assume cloud-native connectivity. Evaluate how the platform handles legacy applications that require private network connectivity rather than internet-routed traffic.
SASE security policies are identity-aware. Evaluate integration with your identity provider (Entra ID, Okta, Ping) and the depth of identity context available for security policy enforcement.
SASE consolidates vendors but doesn't eliminate complexity. Evaluate the management interface quality and the operational skill set required to configure, monitor, and tune a SASE environment.
Migrating from on-premises security stacks to SASE carries risk — particularly for organizations with complex security policies. Evaluate the policy migration approach and the parallel-run period required to validate security coverage.
"RLM gave us an objective view of our network options that no single vendor could. We replaced aging MPLS across 40 locations and came in 28% under our original budget."
"The RLM team understood our network complexity from day one. Their vendor-neutral approach helped us find the right solution — not just the one with the biggest marketing budget."
Start with a no-cost conversation with an RLM network advisor — vendor neutral, no agenda, just clarity on the right path forward for your environment.
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