Unlocking Value Realization from SSE: Business and Security Value You Can Feel

By Nick LeBrun - Technical Programs Lead

June 10, 2025 4 Minute Read

With Gartner coining Security Service Edge (SSE) nearly five years ago, it’s time to dig into value realization. The framework of SSE is unique in that it represents a shift from fragmented, network-centric defenses to a unified framework that securely connects all users to business-productivity applications regardless of location or device. 

The business case for SSE is clear when you consider the following SSE use cases:

• Connect remote, branch, or even 3rd-party users to critical business applications
• Prevent sensitive data loss
• Accelerate digital transformation
• Reduce network and security CapEx spend
• Enable AI applications within the enterprise without risk
• Support global workforce flexibility
• Mitigate potential for a network breach
• Optimize your IT and SOC automation
• Allow use of BYOD to access O365 and other applications

Not addressing even one of the use cases above could lead to major implications. SSE, at its core, is the integration of three pillars – Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). An SSE platform should integrate the three core pillars to serve as a silent enabler for business productivity for end users and security outcomes for your Network, DLP, and SOC teams. 

SSE Isn’t Just Security — Business Muscle is Woven In

SSE should be a real-world armor that protects data, stops malware from reaching endpoints through an intelligent funnel, and connects remote workers without the usual nonsense. No more VPN lag, no more headaches in wavering over whether to block or allow risky AI sites, and no more SOC teams buried in alerts. Just security that does its job so well, it feels almost metaphysical—like it’s working in the background while your business moves faster than ever.

SSE Value Convergence Model

An SSE solution should converge three technologies (SWG, CASB, ZTNA) to create a ripple effect of positive outcomes for four groups of stakeholders in the business (End Users, Network Teams, DLP Teams, Security Teams). 

For end users, SSE should enable fast and uninterrupted access to applications and the network. For network teams, SSE should simplify architecture by replacing legacy VPNs and proxies with a unified, cloud-delivered security layer. For DLP Teams, SSE should provide consistent data protection across the web, cloud, and private apps. For security teams, SSE should reduce alert fatigue while also providing threat protection against web and cloud-borne threats. 

Measuring ROI for SSE

Gartner’s 2025 Magic Quadrant for SSE called out value in its latest report. Unlike some other security domains, it’s fairly straightforward to measure ROI against an SSE solution. SSE vendors should be able to communicate metrics that customers can expect to measure to effectively calculate ROI – before-and-after hardware spend, internet connectivity times for in-office and remote users, reduction in number of web access IT tickets, average incident response time, number of VPN troubleshooting tickets, true-positive DLP incidents, and more. Ditch the clunky proxies, consolidate tools, and watch your team’s productivity jump with SSE!

The Real Win? What Happens After You Deploy

Deployment day is just the start. The real magic happens when your DLP, SOC, or Network teams start stopping threats before they become an issue, and remote workers finally get fast, reliable internet access without the usual circus of logins, errors from network changes, and timeouts on the web or VPN. A solid SSE solution should stop being a roadblock and start to feel like an invisible ally.

Data Protection Teams: Less Grunt Work, More Big Wins

Data Protection is a critical capability as noted by Gartner and other 3rd parties for any core pillar of SSE. Cutting the noise by automating DLP policy setup, fingerprinting sensitive data to remove false positives, and giving DLP teams one clean dashboard are paramount for an SSE solution. Fewer false positives mean more time for outsmarting attackers instead of just reacting to them.

Happy Employees = Fewer IT Meltdowns

The best security fails if people hate using it. The framework of SSE is designed to not just lock things down—it makes work easier. No more VPN timeouts, no more “access denied” walls, just smooth, glitch-free connectivity. Employees stay productive with an SSE solution, IT gets fewer panic calls, and everyone walks away happier.

See Skyhigh Security technology in action and let us show how you can measure success and value with our own SSE solution

At Skyhigh Security, we believe security shouldn’t be a tax on productivity. And as Gartner confirmed in its 2025 report, when it comes to value that actually moves the needle, we’re leading the charge.

Reach out today and let us demonstrate our enablers:

• Exact Data Match and Index Document Matching (EDM & IDM)
• Secure Web Gateway
• CASB for Shadow AI and Shadow IT
• Zero Trust Network Access for Private Applications
• CASB for Enterprise Sanctioned SaaS, including Microsoft CoPilot
• Remote Browser Isolation

You can also learn more about Skyhigh SSE here: https://www.skyhighsecurity.com/products/security-service-edge.html

Back to Blogs