SASE isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a flexible framework that adapts to the unique needs of each enterprise, enabling secure access for distributed organisations. By combining networking and security in the cloud, organisations can prioritise and implement SASE to address their most pressing challenges.
Whether it’s supporting a growing remote workforce, modernising legacy infrastructure, enabling secure cloud adoption, or reducing the complexity of managing multiple security tools, there are multiple SASE use cases. Its real strength lies in its versatility and the value it delivers across different environments.
Here are five common SASE use cases where enterprises are seeing significant benefits.
1: VPN replacement
Traditional VPNs are increasingly showing their age. They often route traffic back through central data centres, creating latency, performance bottlenecks, and limited protection against modern cyber threats.
Security solutions within SASE like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) offers a modern alternative. Rather than granting broad network access, ZTNA verifies each user and device before allowing them to reach specific applications. This makes remote access far more secure, scalable, and user-friendly than legacy VPNs.
2: Secure hybrid working
Hybrid and remote working can create security gaps. Home networks, personal devices, and unmanaged connections are harder to protect with traditional tools. A SASE solution comprising of SD WAN and SSE, secures traffic wherever employees connect from, enabling a secure access distributed organisation and enforcing consistent policies across all locations and devices.
Because security is delivered at the cloud edge, latency is minimised compared with backhauling traffic through central data centres. The result is a smoother, faster digital experience for employees working remotely or on the move, without compromising protection.
Hybrid working is just one challenge modern businesses face. Review our suite of workplace solutions to find a solution for you.
3: Centralising your security
Many enterprises rely on a patchwork of point solutions. Think firewalls, CASBs, VPNs, and monitoring tools, which can create fragmented security and operational complexity. One of the most effective SASE use cases is that it centralises security management alongside your network management, providing one cloud-native platform to control access, monitor threats, and enforce consistent policies, supporting a secure access distributed organisation across multiple teams and locations.
The benefits include:
- Simplified IT management: Fewer tools to maintain and integrate
- Faster updates and policy deployment: Changes roll out instantly across the network
- Better visibility: IT teams gain real-time insight into users, devices, and data flows
Application performance also improves, as traffic flows through the nearest SASE point of presence rather than multiple legacy tools, keeping both users and IT teams productive.
4: Cisco networking
Many enterprises rely on Cisco for networking and security, but integrating multiple Cisco solutions can be complex and time-consuming. From a CAE perspective, SASE allows Cisco’s capabilities to be delivered in a unified, cloud-native architecture, simplifying management and scaling as needs grow.
The benefits are clear: organisations can extend existing Cisco investments into a SASE framework without starting from scratch. CAE maintains a close partnership with Cisco, providing deeper technical expertise and insights into Cisco’s roadmap, which can be applied to optimise deployments and future-proof networks.
CAE has also been recognised as a Cisco Partner of the Year, making it a premium choice for enterprises looking to enhance networking capabilities through SASE.
5: Spark digital transformation
Digital transformation initiatives often stall because legacy networking and security tools slow the adoption of new technologies. SASE removes these barriers, enabling faster, secure use of cloud applications, SaaS platforms, and hybrid infrastructures.
By reducing friction from slow connections, compliance concerns, and complex management, SASE allows enterprises to innovate more efficiently. For example, launching new digital services or rolling out applications across global offices becomes smoother with a cloud-first, unified approach, accelerating transformation without compromising security.
SASE: a solution for the modern enterprise
Individually, each SASE use case delivers real value, but together they show how SASE provides a holistic, future-ready foundation for modern networking and security. By unifying connectivity and protection in the cloud, it supports remote work, cloud adoption, and digital transformation, helping organisations build a secure access distributed organisation while simplifying management and boosting performance.
CAE helps enterprises achieve this by running a security assessment to identify gaps and priorities, then building a tailored migration plan for a smooth, secure transition. With SASE in place, organisations can modernise networks, safeguard data, and empower teams - today and for the future.
