SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) for SMEs: What It Is and When It Pays Off

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge, pronounced "sassy") has featured at every IT conference in recent years, and hardly anyone running a small or mid-sized business knows quite what to do with it. Understandably so. It isn't an off-the-shelf product, but an architecture that merges networking and security into a single cloud service. For SMEs, the question is: when does it genuinely pay off, and when is a good firewall with MFA still the better choice? In this article we explain it without the marketing speak.

What exactly is SASE?

Gartner, which coined the term in 2019, defines SASE as a cloud-native platform that combines networking and security functions: SD-WAN on the networking side, and security services such as ZTNA, CASB, SWG, FWaaS and DLP on the security side. Everything is delivered from the cloud, close to the user, regardless of location or device. With "single-vendor SASE" all of this comes from one supplier; with "multi-vendor SASE" you combine separate products.

The reasoning: the classic security stack (a firewall at the office, a VPN for remote workers, a separate web filter, a separate cloud security tool) no longer fits the way people work today. Employees are at home, on the train or at a client's site. Applications run in M365, Google Workspace and dozens of SaaS tools. Routing all that traffic through the office firewall (a "hairpin") slows everything down.

SASE turns this around: traffic goes straight to the SASE provider's nearest cloud POP, where it is inspected and secured, and then on to its destination. Latency stays low, and security is applied consistently everywhere.

Why SASE is suddenly everywhere

Gartner predicts that 65 per cent of enterprises will have moved from fragmented security tools to unified SASE architectures by 2026, and that 60 per cent of SD-WAN deployments will be integrated with SASE by the end of 2026. The drivers: hybrid working is here to stay, SaaS adoption is rising fast, and without integration the number of security tools in a typical SME has become unmanageable. On top of that, the average SME has no SOC or security architect. A unified platform with a single console is more attractive than five separate tools with five separate dashboards.

The components of SASE, briefly explained

When you talk to a SASE vendor, these acronyms will come up. What do they do?

• ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access). Replaces the classic VPN. Instead of a tunnel into the entire corporate network, you only get access to the specific applications you are authorised for based on identity, device status and context. A smaller attack surface and less lateral movement. Our guide to Zero Trust explains the underlying principle.
• SWG (Secure Web Gateway). Filters all web traffic for malware, phishing and policy violations. It also inspects HTTPS traffic (when configured correctly) and blocks non-compliant sites.
• CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker). Gives you visibility into which SaaS tools are being used, including unapproved ones ("shadow IT"), and applies DLP rules to cloud data. For SMEs running on M365 or Google Workspace, this is usually an important layer.
• FWaaS (Firewall as a Service). Classic firewall functionality, but delivered from the cloud instead of a physical box in the office. Useful if you have multiple sites or work largely remotely.
• DLP (Data Loss Prevention). Protects sensitive data (such as BSN citizen service numbers, credit card numbers and customer data) from being sent outside the organisation by mistake. It covers data both in motion and at rest.

The term SSE (Security Service Edge) refers to the same security functions without the SD-WAN component: in other words, only the security half of SASE. For SMEs without a complex network topology, SSE alone is often sufficient.

The key use case: ZTNA instead of VPN

For most SMEs, the first concrete SASE application isn't SASE in its entirety, but replacing the classic VPN with ZTNA. Once someone has logged in, a VPN grants access to the whole corporate network. If an attacker steals a VPN account (through phishing, credential stuffing or an old compromised password), the door is wide open.

ZTNA only grants access to specific applications based on real-time context: who you are, which device you're using, its security status and where you're connecting from. An attacker with a stolen password won't get in if the device or MFA doesn't check out. And even if they do get in, they can't move laterally.

Performance is better too: ZTNA connections go straight to the application, not via a central VPN concentrator first. Remote workers notice the difference. See also our guide to securing hybrid working.

What does SASE cost for an SME?

Prices vary widely by vendor, tier and contract length. Some benchmarks for 2026:

• Full SSE bundle (SWG + CASB + ZTNA + FWaaS + basic DLP): a list price of $15 to $25 per user per month. Enterprise discounts of 30 to 50 per cent are common for larger volumes and longer contracts.
• Mid-market baseline full platform: $14 to $22 per user per month.
• Total Cost of Ownership including onboarding, EU data residency, MFA add-ons, dedicated IPs and bandwidth blocks: on a multi-SKU legacy stack, TCO can rise to $33 to $60 per user per month.
• Netskope: $4 to $8 per user per month for SWG plus CASB on a three-year contract; $9 to $14 for the mid-tier with ZTNA and basic DLP; $15+ for full-platform SASE.
• Cato Networks: an enterprise rate of $40 to $50 per user per month for full SASE including SD-WAN.

For a Dutch SME with 50 employees, a complete SASE solution falls in the range of €10,000 to €30,000 a year, depending on scope and vendor. A pure ZTNA VPN replacement (bought separately) can start from €4,000 to €8,000 a year.

When does SASE really pay off for an SME?

Let's be honest about the business case. SASE really comes into its own if one or more of these apply:

1. Multiple sites. If you want to bring together traffic from three or more offices and apply consistent security everywhere, SASE is much simpler than separate firewalls at each location.
2. A substantial remote workforce. Once roughly 20 per cent of your staff work from home on a regular basis, the VPN starts to pinch; ZTNA plus SWG delivers a noticeably better experience and stronger security.
3. Heavy SaaS adoption. If most of your work happens in cloud apps (M365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, HubSpot and dozens of smaller tools), CASB gives you insight into what is really going on for the first time.
4. Shadow IT and compliance pressure. For NIS2, ISO 27001 or cyber insurance requirements that demand visibility and control over cloud usage, CASB is often the shortest route.
5. A need to consolidate. If you currently have five different security tools from five vendors and nobody has the full picture any more, single-vendor SASE gives you breathing room.

Our cybersecurity checklist for SMEs helps you decide which layers to prioritise.

When is SASE not (yet) the right choice?

Again, to be honest: for a small business of up to 15-20 employees with a single location and limited remote working, a classic Next-Generation Firewall with MFA on all critical accounts is often still more cost-effective. SASE won't save you complexity, because you don't have that complexity in the first place.

A second scenario: businesses with lots of on-premise legacy applications that don't support modern authentication can't put everything behind ZTNA and will keep a hybrid architecture. SASE isn't wrong in that case, but it isn't a silver bullet that replaces everything.

Finally: SASE is an architecture, not a product you install in a day. Allow 2 to 6 months for migration, depending on how many apps and sites you have, and expect to give serious attention to identity (Entra ID, Okta or similar), endpoint management and an application inventory.

Single-vendor or multi-vendor SASE?

The trend is clear: single-vendor SASE is winning. Gartner expects convergence to continue, and for SMEs the reason is obvious: one vendor, one console, one support line. That saves management hours you don't have in abundance anyway.

The downside is vendor lock-in. If you put everything with one SASE provider, switching is complicated and time-consuming. So for a first implementation, sign a contract shorter than three years and make sure it includes exit clauses (see also our guide to SLA agreements).

How do you approach a SASE implementation?

An SME SASE rollout usually follows this pattern:

1. Assessment. Where does your traffic go now? Which apps? Which devices? Where are your users? How much data egress do you have each month?
2. Define your goal. Do you only want to replace the VPN, or the complete stack? What is your RTO for security incidents? Which compliance requirements (NIS2, ISO 27001) need to be in the contract?
3. Vendor selection. Don't just compare price; look at EU POPs, which apps integrate out of the box and the quality of reporting.
4. Pilot with a pilot group. Roll out to IT and 10-20 pilot users first. Measure performance and collect complaints.
5. Gradual migration. Move apps one by one from the legacy VPN to ZTNA. You can only dismantle firewall rules once all apps are covered.
6. Identity integration. SASE without a connected IdP is only half the story. Make sure Entra ID, Okta or Google Workspace serves as the source of truth.
7. Monitoring and tuning. In the first few weeks you will often be tuning out false positives. Set time aside for this.

Frequently asked questions about SASE for SMEs

Is SASE the same as SSE? No. SSE (Security Service Edge) is the security half of SASE, without the SD-WAN component. For SMEs without a complicated network topology, SSE alone is often sufficient and cheaper. Full SASE comes into play when you have multiple sites or complex network connections.

Does SASE replace my firewall? Largely, yes, in the form of FWaaS. The on-premise firewall is often replaced by a lightweight edge appliance or a pure cloud firewall. For some on-premise workloads that have no internet egress, a local firewall still makes sense.

What does SASE cost for an SME with 50 employees? Roughly €10,000 to €30,000 a year for a complete SASE solution (SWG + CASB + ZTNA + FWaaS + basic DLP), including EU hosting and support. A pure ZTNA VPN replacement can start from €4,000 to €8,000 a year. On top of that, budget €5,000 to €20,000 in implementation costs depending on complexity.

Does ZTNA completely replace my VPN? For modern cloud apps and SaaS: yes. For legacy on-premise applications that don't support modern authentication: sometimes, using a gateway connector. A full VPN replacement is a migration project lasting months, not a weekend job.

How does SASE relate to NIS2? Among other things, NIS2 requires network segmentation, access control, monitoring and business continuity. SASE (specifically ZTNA and CASB) helps directly here by delivering identity-based access, an application inventory and centralised logging. Our NIS2 guide describes the specific measures NIS2 requires.

Can I introduce SASE in phases? Yes, and that is usually advisable. Start with ZTNA for the most critical apps and the most remote user group, then expand with SWG and CASB. Phasing reduces risk and spreads the cost.

Conclusion

SASE isn't a must for every Dutch SME, but for businesses with multiple sites, a lot of remote work or heavy SaaS use, it is usually the simplest route to consistent security and good performance. The most important first step is almost always ZTNA as a replacement for the classic VPN. Full SASE comes into view when you want to consolidate further or feel the pressure of NIS2. Budget €10,000 to €30,000 a year for a fully fledged solution and 2 to 6 months of migration time.

Want to know whether SASE or pure ZTNA suits your environment, or do you urgently need something set up because of NIS2 or a cyber insurer that wants you to meet Zero Trust requirements? TRON Group helps Dutch SMEs with assessments, vendor selection and phased implementation of SASE and ZTNA, including integration with Entra ID or Okta. Explore our cybersecurity services or call +31 85 303 5869 for a conversation without the sales pitch. TRON Group. Moving IT Forward - IT that works, grows and protects.