This is the third blog in our series, where we embark on a journey of Branch Transformation with the Next Gen SASE Branch solution. Built on the Netskope One SASE platform, the Next Gen SASE Branch solution combines its three layers–Context-aware SASE Fabric, Zero Trust Hybrid Security, and a SkopeAI-powered Cloud Orchestrator–into a unified cloud offering. The three layers are defined below:
- Context-aware SASE Fabric, powered by the Netskope Zero Trust Engine enables granular security and connectivity policies based on the contextual risk associated with user identity, device posture, applications and data. Read more
- Zero Trust Hybrid Security provides cloud-based SWG, CASB, ZTNA, DLP, threat protection and more alongside on-premises NGFW, IPS/IDS and device intelligence. Read more
- SkopeAI-powered cloud orchestrator delivers advanced features such as WAN insights with integrated DEM, zero trust device access, container-based service deployment, as well as SASE policy configuration and management. Read more in this Blog.
This blog focuses on the “SkopeAI-powered Cloud Orchestrator,” the management tenet of the Next Gen SASE Branch solution that offers unified management and AI-powered operations in a single-vendor SASE environment.
Legacy SD-WAN and point products pile on the pain, forcing network ops to juggle a web of consoles and hindering efficiency and driving up cost of operations. Some of the key pain points include:
- A thick stack of branch appliances is inhibiting branch transformation, as reported by 38% of IT professionals who are concerned about the expanding branch stack leading to a multitude of networking and security management consoles. Separate management consoles for SD-WAN, remote access, wireless WAN, multi-cloud, SWG, CASB, ZTNA, firewall, DLP, and digital experience management (DEM) create data silos, hindering rapid issue resolution.
- Legacy SD-WANs are a burden on IT teams because they lack the capability to proactively manage network issues, reacting only after problems have already affected users, leading to downtime and degraded user experiences. These systems typically operate in isolation, requiring separate manual configurations and slow rollouts. Help desks are swamped and financially burdened, a staggering 65% report drowning in support requests due to fragmented systems and manual truck rolls.
- Network operations teams recognize the need for SASE-integrated DEM. Gartner predicts a surge in (DEM by I&O leaders (60% by 2026, up from 20% in 2021). But legacy SD-WANs lack built-in DEM, hindering proactive user experience optimization. Adding another DEM tool creates complexity, not solutions.
