Retour 
In my last blog, we discussed how the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the optimized “middle mile” that delivers networking and security services at the edge of the internet. This introduces several concepts that many architects have not previously considered. Instead of building out and managing a network and security stack in the locations where it’s needed, SASE changes the model by leveraging a security private cloud and service-delivery approach that the customer manages in a shared responsibility with the vendor.
This is a dramatic transformation, but also an incredible opportunity. Customers are now better positioned to be nimble and respond to an organization’s expansion plans or critical business objectives without having to own and operate network or security infrastructure. This can be particularly challenging when it comes to deploying effective data protection and security, while trying to do it at scale, providing global coverage and addressing the unique requirements of remote sites or teleworkers.
In a discussion about the Netskope NewEdge network, one of the first topics that often comes up is coverage and I can understand why. It’s difficult to wrap your head around the concept of a security private cloud. A discussion about the locations where service points are located provides a tangible way to gain confidence and achieve a better understanding of the solution. I feel like there are many positive things that come out of a discussion of coverage, but there’s also a lot of confusion in the market.
In this blog, I want to clarify a few points and put a proverbial magnifying glass on this topic of coverage. The goal is to dispel some of the confusion that exists in the market and ultimately help you become a “smarter shopper” as you evaluate what’s needed to select the right cloud to protect and secure your business.
Focus on regions & services, not data centers
Would it be surprising to learn the number of data centers doesn’t provide an accurate picture of coverage? When you hear a vendor recite the number of data centers they have, it’s imperative to double-click to determine what this means to you. For example, where are the data centers located? If there are multiple data cent