SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a cloud-native architecture that unifies networking (e.g. SD-WAN) and security (ZTNA, CASB, SWG, FWaaS, DLP) into a single platform. Unlike castle-and-moat models that trust internal networks, SASE applies zero-trust controls to every connection - no matter where users or devices are. It removes the need to route all remote traffic through a central data centre, enabling more scalable, direct access to cloud and SaaS services.
Today’s organisations face a perfect storm: a distributed workforce, cloud-first operations, and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Legacy network architectures, built for a world of offices and static perimeters, are now a liability. The old “castle and moat” approach, where anyone inside the network was trusted, simply doesn’t work when users, devices, and applications are everywhere.
To plug the gaps, many businesses have layered on point solutions from multiple vendors, such as VPNs, firewalls, endpoint security, and email gateways. But this patchwork methodology brings its own problems in the form of overlapping features, integration headaches, inconsistent policies, and spiralling costs. Worse, it leaves security teams struggling to see the full picture, and users frustrated by constant authentication hurdles and productivity roadblocks.
In our experience, organisations rarely account for the hidden cost of ‘tool sprawl’ - not just licensing fees, but the hours lost reconciling dashboards and conflicting alerts.
And according to Gartner, 63% of global organisations have fully or partially implemented a zero-trust strategy, making it abundantly clear that perimeter security like the “castle and moat” approach is no longer fit for purpose.
Hybrid working: The new normal and its security challenges
The world of work has changed forever.
Where once employees were tethered to offices and corporate networks, today’s workforce is distributed, logging in from homes, co-working spaces, customer sites, and anywhere with an internet connection. This shift to hybrid working has brought new levels of flexibility and productivity, but it’s also created a host of security and connectivity challenges.
Traditional network security models, built around the idea of a trusted office perimeter, simply can’t keep up.
With users and devices connecting from anywhere, the “castle and moat” approach is obsolete. Organisations can no longer rely on physical boundaries to protect their data and applications. Instead, every connection, no matter where it originates, must be treated as potentially untrusted.
Why is the “castle and moat” model obsolete in hybrid work?
Hybrid working demands that IT teams ensure secure, seamless access for users without sacrificing productivity or user experience. At the same time, they need to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that target remote workers and exploit gaps in legacy systems.
The result is a complex balancing act that enables hybrid work while maintaining robust security, visibility, and control. This is where unified, cloud-delivered solutions like SASE come into their own, providing consistent protection, intelligent traffic routing, and centralised management for users, devices, and applications, wherever they are.
The hidden risks of multi-vendor point solutions
According to the 2024 CDW Cybersecurity Research Report, 68% of retail organisations operate and manage between 10 and 49 security tools or platforms. While adding more tools might seem like a way to strengthen defences, it often has the opposite effect.
Each new product brings its own management console, reporting format, and integration requirements. As a result, security teams are forced to jump between dashboards, making it difficult to correlate alerts or spot patterns that could indicate a breach. Critical security data can be siloed, leading to gaps in posture and delayed responses to threats.
Overlapping features across vendors can mean you’re paying twice for the same functionality, while interoperability issues can compromise key functions. Fragmented reporting and alerting make it harder to identify risks, and the sheer complexity of managing multiple contracts and support agreements adds to the operational burden.
Smarter threats demand smarter defences
Cyber threats are becoming more intelligent and targeted, making traditional security methods and perimeter-based models unable to keep pace.
Leigh Walgate said:
Ironically, many firms respond to this by buying more point solutions, but each new tool expands the attack surface instead of reducing it.
Attackers use advanced techniques, like social engineering, credential theft, and multi-stage ransomware campaigns, to exploit any weakness in your defences. With users working from anywhere and applications moving to the cloud, the attack surface is constantly shifting.
This evolving threat landscape is forcing organisations to rethink their approach.
The goal is no longer just to add more tools, but to reduce complexity, close visibility gaps, and ensure that security policies are enforced consistently, wherever users, devices, and data reside.
SASE: A unified approach for a hybrid world
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the answer to this complexity. SASE converges networking (SD-WAN) and security services (Zero Trust Network Access, Cloud Access Security Broker, Secure Web Gateway, Firewall as a Service, and Data Loss Prevention) into a single, cloud-delivered platform.
The result? Consistent security, reduced costs, and a better user experience, no matter where your people or data are.
At Fortinet’s 4th Annual SASE Summit, Nirav Shah, Fortinet SVP of products and solutions, outlined how Fortinet has built its Unified SASE approach on decades of organic innovation. Powered by FortiOS, FortiGate Secure SD-WAN, and FortiSASE cloud services, Fortinet delivers security, simplicity, and scale in one unified platform. Differentiators include ASIC acceleration, global cloud infrastructure, and embedded AI services that extend protection and reduce operational burden.
But SASE isn’t a product you can buy off the shelf. It’s a strategic transformation, one that requires careful planning, prioritisation, and change management. A phased SASE migration strategy is a must.
What does SASE deliver?
Organisations that adopt SASE see real, measurable benefits, including:
Reduced complexity: Fewer, more tightly integrated tools mean less time spent managing vendors and manual processes.
Lower costs: Consolidating overlapping solutions and moving to cloud delivery eliminates unnecessary spend.
Improved user experience: Always-on security reduces the number of authentication touchpoints, letting users get on with their work.
Reduced risk: Unified visibility and smarter threat monitoring increase awareness and speed up response, all from a single platform.
The ROI here isn’t just about licence savings, it’s about speed. We accelerate ROI by skipping the learning curve and moving straight to secure delivery. That means consolidation and risk reduction happen faster, while internal teams can focus on driving the business forward.
The Nasstar SASE Adoption Framework: Change at your pace
Recognising that every organisation’s journey is unique, Nasstar has developed a modular SASE Adoption Framework.
Our approach is mapped to the NIST Cybersecurity Zero Trust Architecture framework, giving our customers confidence that it aligns with globally recognised best practices. The framework is designed to help you move from fragmented, multi-vendor environments to a unified SASE model, at a speed and scale that suits your business and risk appetite.
The framework comprises five steps:
Audit & inventory: Assess and audit your assets, processes, and tooling to understand your current landscape and identify gaps.
Identify & prioritise: Work with Nasstar to prioritise transformation candidates, focusing first on the most urgent or vulnerable parts of your infrastructure.
Assess: Run proof-of-value activities for selected candidates, measuring outcomes against clear success criteria.
Implement: Deploy the solution at scale, transitioning from legacy tools to SASE-managed services.
Run & optimise: Move into business-as-usual, with continuous optimisation and management by Nasstar’s experts.
SASE Adoption Framework
This phased approach means you can address your biggest risks first, demonstrate value quickly, and avoid the disruption of a “big bang” migration. Over time, you’ll move away from the chaos of point solutions to a streamlined, future-ready security posture.
The real-world impact of our SASE Adoption Framework
With Nasstar’s SASE Adoption Framework, organisations have:
Consolidated vendors and tools, reducing integration headaches and costs
Improved visibility and control, making it easier to spot and respond to threats
Enhanced user productivity, with seamless, secure access from anywhere
Built a scalable, resilient foundation for digital transformation
Why partner with Nasstar?
Nasstar brings deep expertise, proven partnerships, and a fully managed service model. From initial assessment to ongoing optimisation, Nasstar guides you every step of the way, helping you navigate complexity with confidence and secure your future in a cloud-first world.
We’re one of only two Fortinet Expert Partners in the UK, with deep specialisations across SD-WAN, OT, Security Operations, and SASE. We also hold Expert MSSP status, with over 200 Fortinet certifications in our team and a track record of delivering secure networking across sectors from manufacturing to retail and public services.
The reality is that building a SASE capability in-house is complex, expensive, and slow. With Nasstar, you skip the learning curve. You can move at your own pace, adopt Zero Trust step-by-step, and stay in control while we make sure the platform is secure, resilient, and future-proofed.
Contact our team today to learn more about our SASE Adoption Framework.