Aryaka Unified SASE Platform Moves Forward with Secure Web Gateway

Aryaka Networks is furthering its vision of unified SASE (secure access service edge) with the integration of secure web gateway and firewall-as-a-service capabilities into its platform.

The San Mateo, California-based vendor on Tuesday unveiled the new capabilities, which executives say help position Aryaka as a “zero-trust WAN” provider. The new secure web gateway-as-a-service offering provides URL filtering, SSL inspection, antivirus and malware scanning, and other features.

Moreover, the updates allow businesses to enact consistent security policies for office-based and remote workers.

“For the SWG, it doesn’t matter if you’re a site or an individual user in a home office. You’re going to have the same set of capabilities. It’s the same code base; it’s the same experience,” said David Ginsburg, Aryaka’s vice president of product and solutions marketing.

Aryaka’s Dave Ginsburg

Ginsburg said secure web gateway adds to the security-as-a-service angle of Aryaka’s three-pronged unified SASE platform. The fabric also integrates network-as-a-service capabilities like SD-WAN and last mile services, and lifecycle services.

Aryaka’s Craig Patterson

“Aryaka’s industry-first unified SASE-based zero-trust WAN gives channel partners an opportunity to move up the value chain and drive new revenue by being first to market with an all-in-one networking and security service that will help companies modernize their legacy infrastructure and simplify operations,” said Craig Patterson, senior vice president of global channels at Aryaka.

Unified SASE

The term “unified SASE” recently sprung out of Dell’Oro Group’s terminology this year. It describes the convergence of advanced networking and cybersecurity features into a single platform and service. Dell’Oro Group has listed Aryaka, Cato Networks, Versa Networks and VMware as the four vendors that meet the criteria for unified SASE.

On the other hand, “disaggregated” SASE vendors are running those features in different silos.

IDC’s Christopher Rodriguez

“Zero trust network access is an emerging security technology but enterprises are often acquiring it through point products,” said Chris Rodriguez, IDC‘s security and trust research director. “Convergence is the logical evolution as threats continue to target multiple channels.”

Aryaka chief commercial officer Dennis Monner said CIOs need unified SASE to help enterprises transform digitally and evade cyber threats. As an added obstacle, they’re dealing with fewer resources and smaller staff.

“It’s an incredible challenge that can’t be solved with legacy carrier connectivity and point security products,” Monner said.

Aryaka Security Road Map

Ginsburg said Aryaka has been operating in cybersecurity for a couple of years. Those efforts started with firewall partnerships with companies like Check Point Software, Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler. Aryaka expanded its the managed VPN as a service offering. Then in 2021 the company acquired Secucloud, a cloud-based cybersecurity provider whose offerings included secure web gateway, firewall-as-a-service and advanced threat detection.

Ginsburg said Aryaka will enhance its unified SASE platform with a cloud access security broker (CASB) and advanced threat and data protection “in the not-too-distant future.”

Customer Perspective

World Fuel’s Richard Delisser

Richard Delisser is senior vice president of cloud and infrastructure technology at Aryaka customer World Fuel. Delisser said World Fuel’s cloud-first posture aligns the company closely with Aryaka’s unified SASE offering.

“Combined with Aryaka’s cloud-managed services delivery, it provides us with the ability to innovate securely at the pace of a startup,” Delisser said.

Aryaka’s Dennis Monner

Partner Perspective

Ginsburg said channel partners have brought Aryaka into more customer deals as a result of Aryaka combining security and network.

In addition, he said Aryaka made headway with partners by launching a more customized set of SD-WAN and SASE offerings last year. In particular, its new SmartConnect EZ managed SD-WAN offering provides a layer 3 private core offering that appeals to cost-sensitive customers.

Avant Communications’ Drew Lydecker

“In the past, we were considered very much a premium service. It was more MPLS replacement. What we can do now with our L3 core is really compete toe-to-toe with other vendors that have really leveraged for their SD-WAN what some people call an enhanced internet service,” Ginsburg told Channel Futures.

Avant president Drew Lydecker praised Aryaka’s customer focus.

“How they integrated secure web gateway into their unified SASE solution speaks volumes to their commitment to simplifying and securing IT operations for the modern enterprise,” Lydecker said.