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SASE Market Led by Large Platform Vendors: Who Has the (Service) Edge?

Written by ETR Research | Feb 26, 2025 5:00:00 AM

This report focuses on on Secure Access Service Edge software with data on the following vendors:

 
Akamai | Aruba Networks (HPE) | Barracuda Networks | Cato Networks | Cloudflare | Cisco | Citrix | Forcepoint | Fortinet | Netskope | Palo Alto Networks | SonicWall | Symantec (Broadcom) | Verizon | VMware | Zscaler

 

 

The global shift towards remote work, accelerated by the Pandemic, has exposed significant limitations in traditional network security approaches. Companies relying on VPNs and legacy infrastructure face challenges around data routing and bandwidth. With the emergence of Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), a gap in advanced security features was apparent, pointing to the need for what would become Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).

This unified, cloud-based platform approach integrates networking with security functions, delivering robust solutions for remote and hybrid workforces. SASE merges SD-WAN and Secure Service Edge (SSE) products, offering advanced security features such as Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS).

At the core of SASE lies the principle of zero trust, with every connection verified and access limited, to mitigate potential damage from cyberattacks. This modern approach has led major vendors to develop comprehensive SASE solutions, fueled by the increasing demand for cloud-native, scalable, and efficient security solutions.

 

Key Players Are Large, Next-Gen Platforms

The SASE market has rapidly become a battleground for established security vendors and new entrants alike. In ETR's recent SASE Observatory report, top contenders such as Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler, Fortinet, Cisco, and Cloudflare stand out for their strong momentum and presence in the field.

ETR's Observatory data captures insights from 319 IT decision-makers across large enterprises, Fortune 500 companies, and Global 2000 corporations. The results highlight the ongoing adoption of SASE tools and provide a detailed breakdown of vendor momentum, usage trends, and market positioning. Market position is determined solely by IT decision maker data.

The report categorizes vendors across four quadrants, reflecting their momentum and presence within the SASE space:

  1. Leaders like Palo Alto, Zscaler, Cisco, and Fortinet show strong adoption and market share, driven by comprehensive security solutions and deep integration capabilities.
  2. Advancing Vendors such as Akamai, Netskope, and Cato Networks are gaining momentum but still lag in presence compared to market leaders.
  3. Tracking Vendors like VMware and Citrix enjoy high presence but face challenges in accelerating their momentum.
  4. Pursuing Vendors including SonicWall and Symantec (Broadcom) are experiencing slower growth, with less impact in the market.

Our survey reveals that larger vendors with platform approaches are gaining the most traction in this part of the security software market. Companies like Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler consistently rank at the top in terms of innovation, ease of integration, and customer satisfaction, while Cloudflare and Fortinet are noted for their strong value-for-money offerings.

 

Competitive Strengths Vary Widely

The report also looks ahead, assessing which vendors are best positioned to benefit over the next 12 months. Larger platform providers, such as Palo Alto and Cloudflare, dominate future usage intentions, with companies like Cato Networks and Netskope trailing closely behind as they continue to expand.
 
One of the standout findings is the strong positioning of private firms like Cato Networks, which was rated highest for value for money among respondents. Similarly, Netskope has demonstrated significant innovation, placing it ahead of several more established competitors in terms of product updates and technical roadmaps.
 
The competitive landscape is crowded, with numerous vendors vying for leadership in the SASE market. Smaller players like Forcepoint and Akamai face challenges in scaling their offerings, though they continue to receive solid customer satisfaction scores in areas like technical support and implementation.
 
Some vendors, such as SonicWall and Symantec, appear to struggle with customer loyalty and ease of integration, possibly hindering their ability to compete against larger players with more comprehensive solutions.
 

A Market Poised for Growth

The arrival of SASE within the security space is a pronounced and important evolution for both cybersecurity vendors and customers. As organizations continue shifting workloads to the cloud, demand for unified security and networking solutions will increase, continuing to be a critical solution for businesses seeking to secure their cloud environments and distributed workforces. The growing complexity of cybersecurity threats, coupled with the need for seamless, scalable security solutions, will continue to drive adoption. This shift towards zero trust architectures and consolidated security tools signals a long-term transformation in how companies approach IT infrastructure and security.
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