How to Choose the Right SSE Vendor 

Choosing the right Security Service Edge (SSE) vendor is crucial for strengthening your company’s security posture. 

Yet, with so many options out there, finding a suitable vendor is easier said than done. This guide breaks everything down, highlighting eight key factors to help you make the best choice.

What is SSE? 

An SSE is a cloud-based solution designed to secure access to digital resources and private applications, whether hosted in the cloud or on-premises. As the security core of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), SSE integrates advanced features at the network’s edge to:

• Protect sensitive information
• Simplify security management
• Provide secure connections for users around the world

Choosing the Right SSE Vendor: 8 Factors to Consider 

Here’s how to choose the right SSE vendor:

#1. Core Capabilities

Look at the SSE vendor and ensure it has all of these capabilities:

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): A good SSE vendor should provide tools that protect sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information and intellectual property. Strong DLP policies, including encryption, access controls, and real-time monitoring, are essential for securing data and ensuring compliance.
• Threat Detection and Response (TDR): SSE vendors should offer advanced TDR methods like zero-day protection, behavioral analytics, and machine learning. Look for real-time monitoring and automated responses too, such as isolating compromised devices. These are crucial for keeping sophisticated threats at bay. 
• User Behavior Analytics (UBA): UBA analyzes patterns across your networks to detect suspicious activity and anomalies, alert security teams, and shut down potential threats. It’s a crucial tool for gaining visibility over your network and responding to threats ahead of time, so look for SSE vendors that offer it.
• Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Make sure that your SSE vendor supports Zero Trust principles, which help reduce your attack surface and secure critical resources by continuously verifying user access at every stage.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): A CASB provides a security layer between cloud services and users, enforcing security policies to control access, monitor usage, and ensure data protection.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): SWGs sit at cloud service access points, filtering and analyzing web traffic to protect against malicious websites, phishing attempts, and other web-based threats.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): FWaaS moves firewall protection to the cloud, scaling with your network and letting you enforce security policies without relying on bulky, expensive hardware.

#2. Pricing and Sales Approach

It’s best to reach out directly to potential SSE vendors for personalized quotes. 

Choose around 3-5 vendors to compare their pricing, and pay attention to how quickly they respond, as well as their sales approach. The important thing here is that you don’t feel pressured to make a decision and feel comfortable when communicating with a potential SSE vendor.

What to Consider 

• Pricing: SSE vendors offer different pricing models, such as subscription-based, pay-as-you-go, or hybrid. Choose the one that best fits your business needs and budget.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: The price of the SSE solution should reflect the value you’re receiving. Extra costs may offer additional features or better support, but take a moment to consider whether these are really necessary for your business.
• Hidden Costs: Be aware of hidden fees for support, updates, or premium features. Always review the terms and conditions to avoid unexpected costs.

#3. Reputation

Credibility is often the deciding factor when choosing an SSE vendor. Even if they’re offering you a treasure trove of features at a great price, it’s up to their track record to prove whether they can really deliver. 

Here’s what to consider: 

• Look for Success Stories: Review the vendor’s portfolio and case studies, focusing on their track record with clients who face similar challenges to your business, or are in the same industry. 
• Reviews and Testimonials: Check third-party sites like G2 or Capterra for detailed reviews. It’s also worth exploring social media platforms and forums such as Reddit or LinkedIn, or even directly contacting past clients for candid insights into the SSE vendor’s performance.
• Industry Awards: Look for industry awards as indicators of an SSE vendor’s credibility. Recognition from respected sources like Gartner or Forrester are solid evidence of their capabilities.

#4. Scalability

When it comes to your security posture, it’s important to think long-term. A vendor that can’t scale with your business can open up vulnerabilities, disrupt business operations, and lead to higher costs down the line. 

Look for SSE vendors whose solutions can easily manage growing volumes of data and users.

#5. Customer Service and Support 

Choosing an SSE vendor with strong customer support and clear service level agreements (SLAs) will ensure that you’re well-equipped to handle any issues that may come up in the future. 

Here’s what to consider:

• 24/7 Support: Check if the vendor offers around-the-clock support, especially for emergencies outside regular business hours.
• Technical Assistance: Your vendor’s support team should be experienced and capable of resolving complex issues quickly. You might even want to test their responsiveness with a few questions before committing.
• Training and Resources: Look for vendors that offer additional resources like training sessions, manuals, and online tutorials to empower your team and reduce future problems.

#6. Compliance and Regulatory Support

A strong security posture starts with a solid compliance strategy. Your new SSE solution should support your business in staying compliant with industry regulations, not hold you back.

Look for industry-recognized certifications like:

• GDPR
• HIPAA
• SOC 2
• ISO 27001

This confirms the vendor’s commitment to high-security standards. Make sure that they’re also transparent with legal and regulatory obligations, such as:

• Encryption methods
• Breach notification processes
• Data storage policies

You can find this information in the vendor’s compliance documentation or ask them directly for clarification.

#7. Implementation

When implementing any new security solution, you want to make sure that the process is as smooth and non-disruptive as possible. 

Consider the following:

• Compatibility: Your new SSE solution should integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure, including network devices, security tools, and cloud platforms. 
• Ease of Deployment: It should be easy to get your SSE solution up and running, and your vendor should provide clear guidance on how to do so without disrupting business operations.
• Training and Documentation: Your SSE vendor should offer training materials to ensure your IT team and end-users can get to grips with the solution quickly. Ongoing technical support should also be available to plug any bottlenecks.

#8. Continuous Innovation and Updates

Choose an SSE vendor that has a clear product roadmap and displays a commitment to continuous innovation. 

They should offer regular updates and patches to address vulnerabilities, as well as timely security advisories. SSE vendors should also be tapped into the latest threat intelligence and threat hunting models so that they can quickly mitigate breaches and boost your security posture.

Maximize Your Security with Check Point’s SASE

To secure your corporate network, you need an advanced solution and a reliable vendor to back it up. 

Check Point’s SASE provides fast, secure access to both on-prem and cloud resources, with zero trust architecture, advanced threat prevention, and AI-powered security. With Check Point’s SASE, it’s easy to protect your critical assets, manage hybrid cloud environments, and maintain top-tier internet security, all from one platform. 

Book a free demo today to learn more.

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