A CIO’s Guide to Choosing a Future-Ready Secure Access Partner
In a post-perimeter world of remote work, hybrid cloud, and growing cyber risk, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has emerged as a critical strategy for CIOs. But with dozens of vendors claiming to offer “zero trust” or “converged” solutions, how do you cut through the noise?
Choosing the right SASE provider is about more than ticking checkboxes. It’s about aligning security, performance, and operational simplicity with business outcomes. Here's what CIOs and IT leaders should evaluate—and how Cloudbrink is helping enterprises rethink what’s possible.
1. Start with the User, Not the Infrastructure
Legacy mindset: Many SASE platforms are built around Points of Presence (PoPs), static VPN concentrators, or SD-WAN hardware, forcing your traffic through pre-defined hubs. The result? Increased latency and inconsistent performance.
What to look for:
- Left shifting - but centrally controlled - security functions to the user device
- Proximity-based architecture with dynamic edge delivery
- Performance-first design (not just security-first)
- No dependency on physical appliances or fixed PoPs
Cloudbrink’s edge: FAST Edges are ephemeral, software-defined access points that spin up on demand—within 5.2ms of the user—to guarantee sub-second responsiveness. There’s no hardware, no tunnels, no friction.
2. Evaluate Real Zero Trust, Not Marketing Claims
The trap: Many vendors offer basic identity-based access but still rely on static IP whitelisting or long-lived trust models.
What to look for:
- Mutual TLS 1.3 with frequent certificate rotation
- Integration with modern identity providers and endpoint posture engines
- Dynamic, session-based access decisions
- Dedicated FAST edges to block phishing attacks and follow on ransomware attacks.
Cloudbrink’s edge: Every session is evaluated in real time with eight-hour mTLS cert rotation and integration with platforms like Microsoft Entra and CrowdStrike. Posture, identity, and location all drive access control dynamically. Phishing and ransomware attacks that reset MFA credentials are no longer possible.
3. Prioritize Simplicity in Deployment and Management
Hidden complexity: Some platforms bundle disparate products (ZTNA, SWG, SD-WAN) into an “all-in-one” package—but behind the scenes, you’re managing three consoles, five licenses, and a professional services team.
What to look for:
- Unified policy engine for SaaS, cloud, and private apps
- Single license model—no bandwidth, hardware, or feature gating
- Fast deployment and onboarding (especially post-M&A or in high-growth environments)
Cloudbrink’s edge: A national insurance firm onboarded their first 850 users in one week using Cloudbrink—no hardware, no on-site support, no professional services. That kind of speed and simplicity isn’t just convenient—it’s strategic.
4. Assess Performance at Scale
The myth: “All ZTNA is slow” or “users will need to compromise for security” are outdated assumptions. Performance isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a productivity multiplier.
What to look for:
- Sub-10ms edge proximity and sub 10ms processing
- Consistent performance even under packet loss or unreliable networks
- LAN-like experience for latency-sensitive tools (VDI, UCaaS, large file transfer)
Cloudbrink’s FAST edge advantage: A Fortune 100 developer team saw:
- 30x faster software artifact transfers
- 8TB per-user daily throughput per user
- 300ms latency eliminated in transcontinental workflows
Meanwhile, a global media firm abandoned their SD-WAN deployment in favor of Cloudbrink after seeing an 8x improvement in remote experience—with no hardware needed.
5. Ensure Cost Predictability and ROI
The pitfall: Many vendors advertise “converged” platforms but upsell key features like posture checking, DLP, or private app connectors. You end up with unpredictable OPEX and creeping infrastructure complexity.
What to look for:
- Transparent per-user pricing
- No hidden fees for bandwidth, gateways, consoles, or other features
- Quantifiable impact on IT support, productivity, and M&A agility
Cloudbrink’s edge: Enterprises report:
- 90%+ reduction in support tickets for the remote access technology
- 50% overall reduction in all access-related helpdesk workload
- $3000 saved per user per year
6. Verify Analyst Positioning and Market Momentum
Why it matters: The SASE and ZTNA landscape is evolving fast. Look to third-party research to validate innovation, integration, and customer traction.
Cloudbrink’s edge:
In the 2025 GigaOm ZTNA Radar, Cloudbrink was named a Fast Mover and an Innovation/Platform Play Leader, one of the closest vendors to the center. The report recognized Cloudbrink’s unique combination of high-performance ZTNA, personal SD-WAN, and software-only simplicity.
Final Thoughts: Choose Outcomes, Not Acronyms
Choosing a SASE provider isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about solving the real problems CIOs face:
- Enabling productivity without compromising security
- Unifying infrastructure without adding complexity
- Supporting growth, compliance, and M&A with speed
Cloudbrink does this by aligning with the 3 S’s:
Simplicity. Security. Speed. And that delivers Savings
Ready to see the difference a true Personal SASE can make?
