Cato Networks SD WAN and SASE Solution: Comparisons, Review, Benefits, Use Cases, Pros & Cons
The initial step of setting up a Cato branch office network involved creating a new home site which involved selection of the site type as a branch office and the connection type (Cato Socket appliance), bandwidth and the local branch office range.
Below: Cato network topology showing a Socket connection with easy to setup downstream and upstream bandwidth.
Following the site creation, the VPN user setup required entry of user details and a prompt email for VPN activation to ensure secure cloud remote access to the network. The final part of initial SD-WAN setup process involved installing the VPN client on my Mac. The download and installation process was simple (as expected), and connecting to the Cato cloud was a matter of a few clicks. The initial setup process is based around Zero-touch and fits well with organisations with limited technical expertise. Connecting the appliance to our Broadband Internet connection and integrating the Cato Socket into the Netify test network was straightforward.
Configuration of SASE & SSE security elements in Cato Networks began with enabling their next-generation WAN firewall. Navigating to the security services section and activating this feature was a simple process because Cato offers simple to deploy standard policies which fit the needs of most use case scenarios. Enabling the internet firewall enabled instant protection against external threats with cloud based threat updates.
We moved on to activate the next-generation anti-malware protection which is designed to safeguard the network against zero-day threats with cloud updates. After setup of anti-malware, we easily implemented Cato's Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to add an additional layer of security. The integration of IPS into the overall security framework highlights the system's comprehensive approach to network security. Adding Cato Data Loss Prevention was also straight forward by implementing their standardised policies.
From an efficiency standpoint, the entire setup, including site creation, VPN configuration, and activation of security services, was completed in minutes. This ease of use offers a significant advantage for businesses looking to rapidly deploy networks with standardised policies.
Below: Cato remote VPN access showing connected status.
The simplicity of the user interface and the overall process is one of Cato's major value points - making complex configurations accessible even to those with limited technical expertise. This user-centric design is a testament to Cato Networks' understanding of the challenges faced by businesses in managing network infrastructures across SD-WAN, SASE and SSE.
In 2017, Cato Networks' SD-WAN was recognised for their cloud-native architecture and the potential of their upcoming SASE features. At this point, users were buying Cato Networks' SD-WAN for their fully automated configuration.
By 2018, Cato Networks was offering managed SD-WAN connections with NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall), URL Filtering, and faster peering to AWS/MS/Google.
In 2021, Cato released SSL inspection in the cloud, with continuous addition of new features each quarter.
