The future of distributed enterprises is being shaped by cellular-first SASE

The integration of network and security into a unified platform is becoming increasingly essential for startups experiencing rapid growth. According to VentureBeat, combining networking and security helps these companies protect their identities, endpoints, and threat surfaces as they expand. This consolidation also enables them to be more agile and scalable in meeting customer needs.

One of the key technologies driving this trend is secure access service edge (SASE), which is gaining popularity among fast-growing businesses in various industries. The SD-WAN market is expected to grow significantly, reaching $69 billion by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate of over 27%.

CISOs are emphasizing the importance of modernizing legacy systems to keep up with the demand for real-time data from IoT devices and networks. The rise of connected devices has extended the network edge, creating a larger attack surface for cyber threats. To address this challenge, companies are turning to cellular SASE solutions like Cradlepoint’s NetCloud SASE platform.

Leading cybersecurity providers such as Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, VMware, and Zscaler are also investing in SASE to enhance their security offerings. Gartner defines SASE as a converged network and security-as-a-service solution that includes SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, NGFW, and ZTNA capabilities.

For startups and small businesses, cybersecurity has become a critical business decision, with many turning to zero trust models to protect their intellectual property and endpoints. Investors and stakeholders are increasingly focused on risk management, putting pressure on companies to implement effective SASE solutions.

Cradlepoint has emerged as a key player in the cellular SASE market, leveraging its expertise in networking technologies and recent acquisition of cybersecurity company Ericom. By combining cellular, SD-WAN, and security capabilities, Cradlepoint’s NetCloud SASE platform offers a streamlined solution for businesses looking to scale securely. AI plays a crucial role in providing real-time insights and enhancing the platform’s zero trust security model, essential for safeguarding modern work environments.