The News: Cradlepoint, part of Ericsson, a provider of cloud-delivered LTE and 5G wireless network and security solutions, launched its single vendor Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution, NetCloud SASE. Read the full press release on the Cradlepoint website.
Cradlepoint NetCloud SASE: SASE-fying the Most Critical SASE Needs
Analyst Take: Cradlepoint’s new NetCloud SASE offering is designed to serve agile enterprises by integrating cellular-centric software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and security into a unified solution. As such, the cloud-delivered platform targets enabling IT teams to rapidly provision zero-trust networks.
The NetCloud SASE design elements consist of cellular optimization, zero-trust foundation, Remote Browser Isolation, unmanaged device security, and simplicity. For example, to ensure cellular optimization, NetCloud SASE delivers the Wireless WAN optimization key to improving performance, preserving bandwidth, and delivering a 5G standalone slicing-ready solution. The solution provides SD-WAN with intelligent bonding to enable a zero loss WAN for mission-critical communications from sites and vehicles.
From my view, the support of isolation technology to block zero-day exploits is a key differentiator for Cradlepoint. The solution uses a zero-trust approach to web and email security by leveraging Remote Browser Isolation to completely airgap users from malicious web activity. By avoiding any impact on the browsing experience, the capability protects organizations against phishing attacks, including vitally even when a user clicks on a compromised link.
As such, organizations gain reinforced assurance that their intellectual property is protected from potential cybersecurity threats and that embedded malware in attachments is disarmed. Plus, NetCloud SASE uses isolation-based security to airgap enterprise applications from unmanaged devices, further mitigating the risk of malware infection.
Cradlepoint NetCloud SASE: Answering the Key Question of Why SASE?
For organizations, SASE can provide a unified approach that combines the capabilities of SD-WAN for optimized connectivity with a fully flexible suite of security services. SD-WAN can enable organizations to optimally administer their WAN through link bonding and intelligent traffic handling. As such, benefits such as improved WAN resiliency, more efficient management of traffic control, and better application quality of experience (QoE) are attainable.
SASE synthesizes network security and WAN capabilities into a cloud-native, software-defined architecture. This is achieved by combining SD-WAN with security functions such as secure web gateway (SWC), cloud access security broker (CASB), firewall as a service (FWaaS), hybrid mesh firewall, and zero-trust network access (ZTNA) that are vital to defending against cybersecurity threats.
I find that the Cradlepoint NetCloud SASE solution minimizes the headache of administering separate network and security policies by unifying them under a common policy engine. For network and security teams, this directly addresses the frequent pain point of attempting to manage disparate and complex security implementations, resulting in potentially harmful security gaps and breaches.
Through the Cradlepoint solution, a unified, cloud-based policy engine oversees and directs network traffic management and security, including access controls and firewalls. This approach streamlines policy creation for enhanced, more agile user experiences that can ensure consistent enforcement across the entire network and minimize the security risks inherent in pre-SASE implementations.
Key Takeaway: Cradlepoint Fulfills Burgeoning Demand for Dynamic Security Solutions
I believe that the new Cradlepoint NetCloud SASE solution provides the integration of security, SD-WAN, and cellular connectivity key to meeting the top security demands of organizations. Now Cradlepoint is fulfilling the expanding market demand for scalable SASE solutions that address dynamic hybrid workforce security environments including remote workforces, fast-growing IoT connectivity, and temporal work sites.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other Insights from The Futurum Group:
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Cradlepoint Sees the Point of 5G, SD-WAN, and Zero Trust Harmonization
Author Information
Ron is an experienced, customer-focused research expert and analyst, with over 20 years of experience in the digital and IT transformation markets, working with businesses to drive consistent revenue and sales growth.
Ron holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from University of Nevada — Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Arts in political science/government from William and Mary.
