The rise of SSE and SASE
The report highlights a significant increase in the adoption of Security Service Edge (SSE) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions. With 79% of organizations planning to implement SSE in the next two years, it's clear that modernizing access security frameworks is a top priority. Additionally, 62% of organizations see SASE as vital to their security strategy, emphasizing the need for integrated security and networking solutions.
This isn't just a trend; it's a call to action for modern security frameworks that can handle the complexities of today's hybrid work environments. SSE and SASE offer integrated solutions that combine security and networking, providing a unified approach to protect users, data, and applications. For many this shift isn’t optional, but essential as traditional security frameworks fail to protect against the growing sophistication of cyber threat. For those who choose to evolve, SASE means better security, less complexity, and improved operational efficiency.
ZTNA takes center stage
As a core technology of a SSE platform, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is overwhelmingly viewed as the starting grounds for SSE adoption, with 46% planning on beginning SSE adoption with ZTNA. This confirms what we already believe that businesses need to prioritize securing the areas with the highest risk, primarily your private data center or cloud applications, and your remote workforce.
The move towards ZTNA represents a fundamental shift in security thinking. Unlike traditional models that rely on perimeter defenses, zero trust assumes threats can come from both inside and outside the network. Therefore, every access request must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated.
The need for consolidation
Over the years, there has been an increasing trend among organizations to favor a single-vendor SASE platform (61%) that integrates security and networking, specifically combining SSE and SD-WAN within one provider. As the SASE market has expanded and matured, this preference for consolidation has intensified, driven by the need for simplified management, reduced operational complexity, and enhanced visibility and control.
A unified SASE solution offers comprehensive protection while streamlining deployment and management, enabling IT teams to concentrate on strategic initiatives rather than addressing issues in fragmented systems.
Visibility gaps and confidence levels
The report points out a concerning issue: low confidence levels in monitoring employee access (5.3 out of 10) and third-party users (4.9 out of 10). These visibility gaps create significant security risks, as they can be exploited for lateral movement and credential-based attacks. To mitigate this, organizations must prioritize real-time access monitoring and adopt unified SSE solutions that provide centralized, continuous visibility into all access events.
Visibility gaps pose a security risk, as they may be used by attackers to move within the network without detection. Monitoring and visibility are essential for detecting and responding to threats in real-time. By using unified SSE solutions that offer centralized, continuous visibility into all access events, organizations can address these gaps and strengthen their security measures. Enhanced monitoring capabilities allow for quicker detection of anomalies and more effective incident response, decreasing the chances of successful attacks.
Stepping back from legacy security appliances
The shift towards cloud and unified SSE security is noticeable, with 62% of organizations planning to eliminate VPN concentrators as a result of SSE. Additionally, many organizations anticipate that SSE can reduce their reliance on dedicated SSL inspection appliances (47%) and DDoS protection (40%). This transition aims to simplify infrastructure while strengthening protection, allowing organizations to improve agility and reduce operational complexities.
The move away from legacy security appliances towards cloud-delivered SSE solutions indicates a broader trend of simplifying infrastructure while enhancing security. Traditional appliances may be costly, complex, and challenging to manage, whereas cloud-based solutions offer flexibility and scalability.
Transitioning to cloud-delivered SSE security allows organizations to reduce operational complexities, lower costs, and improve agility. This shift also supports the adoption of zero trust principles, providing stronger protection against modern threats and ensuring a more resilient security framework.
What will you do with this data?
The findings from the 2025 SSE Adoption Report offer crucial insights for security leaders transitioning towards SSE and SASE. By emphasizing zero trust, consolidating security tools, and addressing visibility gaps, organizations can achieve a secure, scalable, and streamlined approach to modern access security. For those interested in exploring a SASE offering, please visit the HPE Aruba Networking SASE webpage or consider taking it for a free test drive today.
This blog authored by Camilla Ahlquist, Product Marketing Manager at HPE
