The ROI of SASE

In today's digital world, securing network infrastructure is crucial. Companies are constantly seeking ways and support to protect their networks and data while simultaneously reducing operational costs and complexity. One solution that meets all these requirements is the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) approach, which combines networking and cybersecurity functions in a unified cloud-native architecture.

In this blog post, we will examine the Return on Investment (ROI) of SASE and explain how SASE technology helps organizations achieve their goals of reducing operational expenses, modernizing network security, and minimizing cybersecurity risks.

Infrastructure Consolidation with SASE

One of the biggest advantages of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the consolidation of connectivity and network infrastructure, including firewalls, VPN gateways, and WAN solutions. Traditionally, companies had to implement and manage multiple separate cybersecurity solutions, leading to a complex and hard-to-maintain IT infrastructure. This complexity also drives up costs due to the maintenance-intensive management required.

With SASE, companies can consolidate their network security and cloud security solutions into a single, cloud-based platform. Cloud services can be seamlessly integrated with SASE without additional costs for products and WAN or perimeter solution elements. This not only reduces the number of required products, devices, and software in the corporate network but also significantly simplifies the deployment, management, and maintenance of the infrastructure, enabling organizations to efficiently address cybersecurity challenges.

Traditional Security vs. Modern SASE Architecture

In traditional approaches, IT teams face initial challenges during the introduction and deployment of connectivity prerequisites in implementation projects. This leads to delayed rollouts, during which companies do not yet benefit from enhanced protection for their data and corporate networks. Consequently, efforts and costs continue to rise, and the return on investment remains low.

This initial realization during deployment is just the beginning, as the Total Economic Impact worsens over time. Once the respective products are integrated as individual point solutions, each must be configured with the correct and often painstakingly coordinated security policies. Only then do the security controls, necessary to protect the company’s information and data, come into effect. For IT team members, this responsibility is not only demanding in terms of the skills they need to develop and maintain but also often results in a subpar user experience.

This realization can also diminish the motivation to manage these different products according to security control policies and maintain them within the cybersecurity architecture, potentially compromising the company’s overall security posture.

With the right SASE solution as a cloud-native platform service, organizations can reap benefits from the outset. The advantage lies in the straightforward consumption of the SASE service over the internet, allowing for a targeted and incremental deployment approach. From the beginning, it can be implemented with minimal effort and provides an optimal user experience for IT team members. Implementing network security policies through a single, unified administration with globally applicable policies helps create and efficiently maintain cybersecurity requirements to protect data, information, and employees both online and within the company. Such technology provides an optimal foundation for companies to adapt their cloud security measures agilely to evolving security requirements and business objectives with minimal use of corporate resources at any time.

Reduction of Operational Costs Through SASE

By consolidating infrastructure and simplifying management, SASE significantly reduces operational costs. Companies can lower expenses associated with maintaining multiple security solutions, reduce the need for specialized personnel, and minimize downtime caused by complex system integrations. Additionally, the cloud-based nature of SASE allows for scalable solutions that can adapt to the company's growth without substantial additional investments.

Reducing Complexity While Increasing Security

Another key advantage of cloud-native Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms is the reduction of complexity while simultaneously enhancing security. This directly helps mitigate many common IT risks. Traditional security solutions often require extensive configuration and frequent updates to remain effective. In contrast, a cloud-native SASE platform provides an integrated cybersecurity solution that is automatically updated and always equipped to handle the latest threats. This must also apply to the components provided by the service provider to seamlessly connect branch offices of companies and organizations to the provider’s platform. As a result, security management becomes significantly less complex, increases the efficiency of IT teams, and ensures that data, information, employees, and networks are protected at all times.

Less In-House Expertise Required

As SASE is a cloud-based solution delivered as a service, organizations require less in-house expertise to maintain strong network security. The administration and maintenance of the security infrastructure are largely handled by the SASE provider, which reduces the need for internal technical know-how. This allows companies to focus on their core business while ensuring that their networks remain secure. SASE solutions also come with comprehensive, intuitive, cloud-based web portals that further enhance administrative efficiency and streamline daily operations.

No More Lifecycles

Another major benefit of SASE is that companies no longer need to worry about the lifecycle management of their security systems. Traditional cybersecurity solutions often demand regular hardware and software upgrades to keep up with evolving threats. With SASE, these lifecycles are eliminated, as the platform is continuously updated and always up to date. This not only results in cost savings but also significantly reduces the effort required to manage the security infrastructure.

Rapid Implementation & Expansion

SASE offers rapid implementation and easy scalability. Because the solution is cloud-based, companies can roll it out quickly—without the need for extensive hardware installations. Lengthy and complex security projects become a thing of the past. Additionally, SASE enables flexible scaling, allowing businesses to easily adapt their security infrastructure to growing demands.

Both new branch offices and additional remote users can be seamlessly integrated into the SASE service. This is especially important in today’s environment, where the cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving and companies must respond swiftly to new challenges and risks.

This immediate agility has a strong positive impact on ROI right from the start—and significantly enhances the Total Economic Impact of implementing a SASE solution.

Studies and Data on the Return on Investment of SASE

According to research by OG Analysis, the global SASE market was valued at USD 2.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 23.8 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.7%. This strong growth signals that companies increasingly view SASE services as a worthwhile investment with a positive return on investment (ROI).

Another study by Research and Markets highlights that SASE services—by merging network and security functions such as WAN, Zero Trust, Firewall-as-a-Service, and Secure Web Gateway—not only enhance the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture but also lower operational costs and reduce IT complexity. These benefits directly contribute to a positive ROI.

As cloud-based applications and hybrid work models, including remote work, become more widespread, traditional network security architectures prove to be inefficient. Services like SASE offer scalable, cloud-native solutions that improve both productivity and security—another key factor in maximizing ROI.

Although many of these studies don’t quantify ROI in concrete numbers (e.g., dollars returned per dollar invested), they clearly show that businesses using SASE services are reducing costs, minimizing risks through stronger security and simpler IT management, and increasing organizational agility—all of which are essential factors for a strong ROI.

Summary of ROI Factors for SASE

Investments in SASE solutions can prove to be economically sound by reducing costs, minimizing cybersecurity risks, and increasing efficiency. The key ROI drivers from a vendor-neutral perspective include:

Consolidation of Security and Network Services

Reduction of Costs for Infrastructure

Increasing the Productivity of IT Teams

Improved User Experience & Performance

Increased Safety & Risk Minimization

Scalability & Future-Proofing

License and Operating Model

Conclusion

The ROI of SASE is impressive. By consolidating infrastructure, reducing operational costs and complexity, and enhancing security, the use of SASE services offers companies a comprehensive solution for their network security needs—while requiring fewer internal resources. Less in-house expertise, no more lifecycle management, and rapid implementation and scalability make SASE an attractive option for organizations of all sizes.

If you're looking for a way to strengthen your network security, better protect your information, data, and employees online, increase operational efficiency, and reduce costs, SASE is definitely worth considering as part of your cybersecurity architecture.