SASE for SMEs: What, Why, and How?

Nick Safo, SME Connectivity & Security Specialist | Average Read Time: 4 minutes

The fundamental architecture underpinning most organisational networks today was designed for an operational model that no longer exists, creating a growing misalignment between technological infrastructure and contemporary business practices. The recent transformation in how businesses operate has rendered traditional perimeter-based security models fundamentally inadequate for the realities of cloud-first, location-independent operations, necessitating a complete reimagining of network and security architecture - a convergence that the industry has termed Secure Access Service Edge, or SASE.

What is SASE?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)  is a cloud-delivered architecture that converges networking and security into a single, unified service. Rather than backhauling traffic to a central data centre for inspection, SASE delivers connectivity and security controls from the cloud, closer to users and devices. It brings together capabilities such as:

• SD-WAN

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG)

• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

• Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

All delivered as a service, typically via a global cloud platform. 

The term was coined by Gartner in 2019, but the drivers behind it (cloud adoption, mobility, and the need for consistent security everywhere) have been building for years - with 79% of organisations planning to implement SSE (the security component of SASE) within the next 2 years. For SMEs, SASE is a saviour for fixing structural problems in how networks and security have evolved.

Why Traditional Architectures Struggle

Your network wasn't built for how you work today - that's the problem. Most SME networks were designed around a simple assumption: users are in the office, applications sit in the data centre, and security lives at the edge. That model breaks down when:

• Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and other SaaS apps become business-critical

• Workloads shift to Azure or AWS

• Staff work from home, client sites, or on the move

• Suppliers and partners need controlled access

And on top of all this, your threat landscape won’t stop expanding. Cyberattacks aren't just targeting enterprises anymore - Microsoft reported that attempted password attacks recently soared to over 30 billion per month and SMEs are prime targets because attackers know you have fewer resources to defend yourselves.

Networks are becoming harder to secure and more expensive to run.

How SASE Solves the Problem

SASE fundamentally reimagines your network architecture. Instead of forcing all traffic through a central point for inspection, SASE delivers security services from distributed cloud-based points of presence positioned globally.

When someone on your team (whether they're at the office, home, or visiting a patient/at a client site) accesses an application, their traffic routes to the nearest SASE point of presence. Security policies are applied there, at the edge, before connecting them directly to their destination. No unnecessary detours. No performance bottlenecks.

The Core Principles of SASE

From a technical perspective, SASE rests on a few key ideas:

1. Cloud-Native Delivery

Security functions are delivered from the cloud, not tied to on-prem hardware. This means consistent policy enforcement regardless of user location. For SMEs, this removes the need to constantly refresh appliances or size hardware for peak demand.

2. Identity-Driven Access

Instead of trusting users because they’re “on the network”, SASE aligns with Zero Trust principles (access is based on identity, device posture and context). This is particularly important as perimeter-based security becomes less relevant in hybrid environments.

3. Integrated Networking and Security

SD-WAN optimises connectivity. Security services inspect and protect traffic. Crucially, these operate as a single architecture; that integration reduces policy conflicts, simplifies management, and improves visibility.

The SME Advantage: Moving Fast Without Breaking Things

SASE isn't just for the enterprise market - and in many ways, it's better suited to mid-market organisations.

Faster deployment: Traditional networking projects take months. SASE deployments can happen in days or weeks. When you need to open a new office, onboard a new remote team, or rapidly scale up, SASE gives you that agility.

Predictable costs: SASE platforms typically operate on subscription models with transparent, usage-based pricing. No massive upfront capital expenditure on hardware that'll be obsolete in five years. No surprise maintenance bills. You know what you're paying each month, and you can scale up or down as your business needs change.

Unified management: One platform. One portal. One vendor relationship. Your already-stretched IT team isn't coordinating updates across five different security vendors, managing licence renewals for a dozen products, or troubleshooting integration issues between solutions that were never designed to work together.

Enterprise-grade security: SASE gives SMEs access to security capabilities that were previously only feasible for large enterprises. Threat intelligence that updates in real time. Advanced DLP policies. Sophisticated traffic analysis and anomaly detection. All delivered as a service.

Built for cloud-first operations: If you've already moved to cloud applications, SASE is architecturally aligned with how you actually operate. It's not trying to retrofit cloud security onto a perimeter-based model designed for a different era.

Making the Move: Where to Start

You don't need to rip out your entire network infrastructure overnight. SASE adoption typically follows a phased approach. Many organisations start with remote access - replacing legacy VPNs with ZTNA to give distributed teams secure access to applications. This delivers immediate user experience improvements and security benefits without touching your office network. Others begin with new sites or offices. When you're opening a new location, why deploy traditional infrastructure? Provision it with SASE from day one, prove the concept, then expand to existing sites.

The key is having a clear view of your current architecture, understanding your pain points, and working with a provider who can design a migration path that minimises disruption whilst delivering quick wins.

What to Look for in a SASE Provider

Not all SASE platforms are made equal. Some vendors have simply rebranded existing point solutions without true integration, others lack the UK-based infrastructure that matters for data sovereignty and compliance.

• True integration matters. Look for single-vendor SASE platforms where networking and security functions are genuinely integrated, not just cobbled together. The security and network teams at the vendor should be working from the same codebase, sharing telemetry, and coordinating updates.

• UK infrastructure is essential. For many SMEs, especially those in regulated sectors like financial services or those handling sensitive data, where your traffic is processed matters. Solutions that route UK data through international points of presence create compliance headaches and potential regulatory violations.

• Flexible operating models. You need a provider that gives you control when you want it and expertise when you need it. Some days, you want to configure policies yourself. Other days, you need to escalate something to experts who can diagnose and resolve issues quickly.

• Proven SME experience. Enterprise-focused SASE platforms aren't always right for mid-market organisations. Look for providers who understand SME constraints, have experience with businesses your size, and offer commercial terms that match your reality.

• Compliance credentials. Your SASE provider should hold relevant certifications – ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus, and any sector-specific requirements for your industry.

How Cloud Gateway Helps SMEs Navigate the SASE Transition

Making the shift to SASE shouldn't feel like a leap into the unknown. That's where Cloud Gateway's approach makes a difference for UK SMEs. Unlike global vendors adapting generic solutions, Cloud Gateway built its platform specifically for UK organisations that can't compromise on data sovereignty, security, or service quality - HSCN and PSN connectivity are native capabilities, not bolt-on additions.

The platform operates entirely within UK infrastructure, ensuring your data never leaves UK borders - fundamental for SMEs handling sensitive information or subject to UK regulatory requirements. Plus, with Cloud Gateway, you get access to a live portal for complete visibility and self-service configuration when you want control, backed by UK-based expert support when you need guidance. It's your network, and your choice.

At a time when hybrid working, cloud adoption, and cyber risk are reshaping IT priorities, SASE provides a practical framework for simplification and resilience. With the right partner and platform, SMEs can move forward confidently - without enterprise-scale overhead.

Discover how the Cloud Gateway platform can transform your network infrastructure, or speak with our experts about your specific requirements.