IDC Technology Spotlight identifies 82% of European organisations surveyed see SASE adoption as a top priority or beneficial to their organisations

So much so, that according to a new IDC Technology Spotlight sponsored by Infinigate: Building a SASE-Based Digital and AI Business with Security, Speed, and Agility, 82% of European businesses surveyed see SASE adoption as a top priority or beneficial for their organisation*.

In this blog, we overview some of the insights and data from the IDC Technology Spotlight to help channel partners define the right SASE strategy and ride the wave of opportunity.

An integrated networking and security architecture

Secure access service edge, or SASE, is an integrated networking and security architecture that converges multiple network and security functionalities into a unified cloud-managed solution.

Its objective is to deliver high-performance secure access to digital resources from anywhere and at any time, ensuring users can connect safely to applications and data, regardless of their location or device.

Due to its integrated approach to security and networking, SASE plays an important role in enhancing cyber-resilience. This has become a main priority for both security and business leaders, as organisations must not only defend against threats, but also ensure continuity of operations and rapid recovery in the event of a breach.

SASE model adoption in Europe

Exploring data from IDC’s European Security Technologies and Strategies Survey, 2024, the IDC Technology Spotlight highlights that adopting SASE is a top priority for 42.6% of organisations surveyed – and recognised as beneficial for 40.0%.

Significantly, only 3.7% of organisations surveyed by IDC stated that SASE is not a consideration for their business. IDC concludes that SASE adoption is: “mature, strategic, and implemented opportunistically for the large majority of European businesses.”

In addition, the paper outlines that adoption of the SASE model varies by industry, with Finance and Infrastructure showing the highest adoption maturity level.

SASE adoption trends are influenced by industry-specific requirements, regulatory considerations, and organisational priorities. For the IT channel, understanding these variations in SASE adoption is crucial to provide valuable, expert advice supporting informed decision-making and strategic planning.

European market regulations such as the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) for the finance sector and the upcoming Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS 2) aim to harmonise measures and approaches across EU member states to secure digital infrastructure.

These regulations focus on cyber-resilience, and adopting SASE will help organisations align with regulatory requirements to meet compliance obligations and protect critical assets and data.

Key trends driving the development of the market

Cloud adoption

Cloud adoption continues to advance as businesses look to leverage the scalability, agility, and cost efficiency offered by cloud technologies.

However, using multiple cloud environments has made it more complex to maintain consistent and comprehensive security across all platforms. The implementation of integrated solutions capable of extending security controls across the entire infrastructure remains a challenge.

Cyber-resilience and zero trust

Cyber-resilience and zero trust principles have evolved and become critical for strategies to protect organisations against ransomware attacks and other cyberthreats.

The traditional perimeter-based security approach is no longer effective, and organisations are shifting to zero trust architectures to enforce rigorous access controls and continuously verify trust, both internally and externally.

Best-of-breed approaches are giving way to unified platforms that integrate networking and security functions. This convergence helps to streamline operations but also enhances visibility, control, and efficiency across the entire infrastructure. Organisations are increasingly adopting integrated solutions that provide holistic security coverage while minimising complexity and operational overheads.

AI

The infusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools into a SASE platform are needed to augment security efforts and keep up with evolving threats.

The addition of AI/ML will help with the automation of manual processes, improve threat detection capabilities, and enable a more proactive response to security incidents. The ability to detect and respond to anomalies in network and security domains is crucial for maintaining a secure and agile digital business environment. Organisations are looking to invest in solutions that offer real-time anomaly detection, rapid incident response, and continuous monitoring.

Challenges with SASE implementation

In the IDC Technology Spotlight, organisations surveyed cited integration complexity, skills and training on new tools and legacy infrastructure as the three top challenges with SASE implementation.

Finding the right partner is essential for a successful SASE deployment and overcoming roadblocks. Strategic partners understand the specificities of infrastructure and converged network and security and can provide organisations with the guidance, expertise, and support they need.

By engaging with a strategic partner aligned with their business objectives, organisations can maximise the value of their SASE investments and minimise risks.

About Infinigate

Infinigate is a global leading technology platform and trusted advisor in cybersecurity, secure cloud, and network infrastructure.

Through strategic partnerships and a customer-centric approach, Infinigate helps organisations stay ahead of emerging threats and efficiently achieve their security objectives. We work with a broad portfolio of leading vendors offering SASE solutions, providing organisations with a range of options to address their networking and security needs. With a focus on innovation, reliability, and effectiveness, the SASE elements of these providers are tailored to the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Key vendors partnering with Infinigate to deliver SASE solutions include Cato Networks, CheckPoint (Perimeter81), Cisco, Forcepoint, Fortinet (FortiSASE), Palo Alto (Prisma SASE), SkyHigh Security, SonicWall (Banyan), and Watchguard.

Find out how our vendor partnerships, technical expertise and comprehensive portfolio can help you spark your SASE growth here.

Kristel Brown is Content Marketing Manager, Infinigate.