MEF and CyberRatings.org Collaborate to Establish Groundbreaking SASE Certification Program

MEF and CyberRatings.org Announce Partnership to Launch SASE Certification Program

New Certification Program to Increase Market Confidence in SASE Offerings

LOS ANGELES and AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2023 – MEF, a global industry association of network, cloud, security, and technology providers, and CyberRatings.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing confidence in cybersecurity products and services, have signed an agreement to launch a new Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Certification Program. The program aims to increase market confidence in SASE solutions by providing a report card and rating for vendors’ and service providers’ offerings.

MEF, with a membership of 200 service and technology providers worldwide, has been at the forefront of developing standards for software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN), secure service edge (SSE) threat protection, and zero trust network access (ZTNA). The new SASE certification program will be based on CyberRatings’ methodologies and test programs and compliance with MEF standards.

The certification program will kick off with testing and certification of SD-WAN, followed by SSE Threat Protection and ZTNA. A beta program will begin in August, and once completed later this year, certification will be available to the MEF membership at large in Q1 2024.

Increasing Market Confidence in Cybersecurity Solutions

The SASE certification program aims to provide market confidence in cybersecurity solutions by offering a standardized and independent assessment of product effectiveness. With enterprises increasingly adopting cloud-based security solutions over traditional network security devices, there is a growing need for verification of the effectiveness of these offerings.

SASE services, such as SSE and ZTNA, provide scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and innovation, helping organizations support remote work, cloud migration, and digital transformation initiatives. However, the question of “how do I know it works?” remains a concern for many enterprises. The MEF-CyberRatings certification partnership seeks to address this question and enable organizations to make informed decisions when choosing SASE solutions.

Alignment with National Cybersecurity Strategy

MEF‘s new SASE certification program aligns with the objectives of the Biden Administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy. By focusing on providing market confidence in SASE product and service capabilities, MEF aims to empower its members to address cyber risks at scale.

Nan Chen, President of MEF, expressed confidence in the ability of MEF members to address cyber risks and highlighted the importance of the certification program in building market confidence. Vikram Phatak, CEO of CyberRatings.org, emphasized the rapid adoption of cloud-delivered security solutions and the need for certification to ensure their scalability and effectiveness.

Editorial: Strengthening Cybersecurity in the Digital Age

In an era marked by increasing reliance on cloud-based solutions and digital transformation initiatives, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for enterprises. The partnership between MEF and CyberRatings.org to launch the SASE Certification Program is a significant step toward building market confidence in cybersecurity solutions.

The certification program addresses a key challenge faced by organizations – the assurance of security product effectiveness. By providing a standardized and independent assessment of SASE offerings, the program enables enterprises to make informed decisions when selecting cybersecurity solutions.

The importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. With cyber threats growing in complexity and frequency, it is imperative that organizations implement robust security measures. However, the effectiveness of these measures can vary greatly across different vendors and service providers. The SASE Certification Program fills this gap by providing a clear evaluation of product capabilities.

Furthermore, the program aligns with the National Cybersecurity Strategy, which emphasizes the need for collaboration between industry and government to address cyber risks. By empowering MEF members to address cyber risks at scale, the certification program contributes to the overall cybersecurity landscape.

Advice: Choosing Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Solutions

With the proliferation of cloud-based security solutions, selecting the right Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) offering can be a daunting task. The following recommendations can help organizations make informed decisions when evaluating SASE solutions:

1. Understand Your Needs:

Before selecting a SASE solution, it is essential to clearly define your organization’s security requirements. Consider factors such as scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and ease of integration with existing infrastructure.

2. Evaluate Vendor Capabilities:

Look for vendors that have undergone the MEF-CyberRatings SASE Certification Program. The certification provides an independent assessment of vendor capabilities and effectiveness, enhancing market confidence in their offerings.

3. Consider Independent Security Ratings:

In addition to the SASE certification, consider leveraging independent security ratings from organizations such as CyberRatings.org. These ratings provide further insights into the efficacy of security products and services.

4. Stay Informed:

Stay updated on the latest advancements in SASE technologies and industry standards. Regularly review MEF‘s certification registry and seek out trusted sources of information to stay informed about the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

5. Seek Expert Advice:

Consider consulting with cybersecurity professionals or engaging with managed security service providers (MSSPs) to gain expert insights and recommendations tailored to your organization’s specific needs.

By following these recommendations, organizations can enhance their ability to choose effective and reliable SASE solutions, mitigating cybersecurity risks and ensuring the security of their digital assets.

As enterprises continue to embrace cloud-based solutions and digital transformation, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly critical. Initiatives such as the MEF-CyberRatings SASE Certification Program play a vital role in building market confidence and driving innovation in the cybersecurity industry. With a focus on collaboration and standardization, the program contributes to a more secure digital ecosystem for organizations across the globe.