applications that are increasingly delivered from the cloud (public, hybrid, private) and less from legacy data centers. The public internet is rapidly becoming the next enterprise and corporate network.

SASE is the response to the restrictions of traditional networking and security architectures. It comprises wide-area networking (WAN) and network security services, such as zero-trust network access (ZTNA), secure web gateway (SWG), and firewall as a service (FWaaS), all delivered from the cloud.

SASE at Stolt-Nielsen

Stolt-Nielsen, a global expert in bulk liquid logistics and sustainable land-based aquaculture, is an example of an enterprise benefitting from a SASE implementation combining SD-WAN connectivity with global Security Service Edge (SSE) to securely support its global, hybrid workforce and drive business growth.

The multinational enterprise has a diverse business portfolio, including the world’s largest fleet of chemical tankers, terminals for the safe storage and handling of bulk liquids, and bulk door-to-door chemical delivery logistics. In moving to integrate the next generation of advanced solutions, the company sought to replace a diverse set-up of Internet Service Providers and network solutions with one integrated service to optimize performance and security for its 2,500 hybrid users globally.

In accordance with the points made above, Stolt-Nielsen did not want to rush its SASE deployment.  Instead, the company chose to do so in stages with the help of a trusted partner to migrate from its former infrastructure and develop a phased SASE strategy.

The fully managed Orange SASE Advanced offering, created for Stolt-Nielsen by Orange Business in partnership with Netskope, provides enhanced global connectivity and consistent internet security on and off the network. With Netskope’s SSE infrastructure located across more than 70 regions globally, plugging it into the Orange network, secured by Orange Cyberdefense, ensures data security can be managed centrally without affecting business productivity.

“As part of our transformation, we needed to define a secure, centralized, future-proofed digital infrastructure to support our business growth and innovation. We chose Orange because of its ability to provide seamless, reliable global connectivity with the highest security standards delivered via SASE,” explains Peter Koenders, CIO at Stolt-Nielsen.

Considerations before SASE adoption

There is no cookie-cutter methodology to follow when it comes to adopting SASE. A transformation to SASE takes time. As a starting point, every enterprise that thinks it is ready to move forward on SASE needs to draw up its own customized strategy based on an audit of what they already have in place. Each enterprise should consider where it stands in relation to these seven components:

• A software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) solution is already fully or partially adopted, or at least under consideration, as SD-WAN is part of the strategy.
• Zero trust security strategies are already being pursued, recognizing their critical importance in hybrid work environments.
• Vendor consolidation is happening as contracts come up for renewal, to move away from a patchwork approach.
• Cloud-based security is being deployed instead of perimeter-based hardware and VPNs.
• Security policy is being streamlined and consistent enforcement regardless of location is being applied.
• User experience is being considered through improving the visibility of traffic and applications – within and beyond the network.
• Integration by embedding edge security into network designs and improving networking and security team collaboration.

An assessment of the above should help to establish a baseline for an enterprise’s SASE journey, which then progresses following a well-considered plan to adopt each of the solution components, one by one, in whatever order makes the most sense for the organization.

Deploying SASE does not have to be complex, but enterprises shouldn’t go it alone. Visibility of the above points will significantly increase with the right partner and milestones in place. However, with so many vendors offering SASE right now, it is crucial to understand that they do not all offer the same SASE capabilities. Partnering with a network and digital integrator who can identify the true baseline for a SASE journey and propose the best solution tailored to the organization’s needs, combined with proven capabilities in cloud, connectivity, security, and digital integration, is a good place to start.