Critical SSE capabilities
Gartner defines SSE as “an offering that secures access to the web, cloud services, and private applications regardless of the location of the user, the device they are using, or where that application is hosted.”
“[SSE] provides a range of security capabilities, including adaptive access based on identity and context, malware protection, data security, and threat prevention, as well as the associated analytics and visibility,” Gartner writes. “It enables more direct connectivity for hybrid users by reducing latency and providing the potential for improved user experience.”
Must-haves include advanced data protection capabilities – such as unified data leak protection (DLP), content-aware encryption, and label-based controls – that enable enterprises to enforce consistent data security policies across web, cloud, and private applications.
Securing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications is another important area, according to Gartner. SaaS security posture management (SSPM) and deep API integrations provide real-time visibility into SaaS app usage, configurations, and user behaviors, which Gartner says can help security teams remediate risks before they become incidents. Gartner defines SSPM as a category of tools that continuously assess and manage the security posture of SaaS apps.
Another capability that sets leading vendors apart from other competitors is support for genAI controls, which is a growing concern as more employees interact with tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. This capability enables IT teams to monitor, restrict, or redact sensitive data uploads to genAI platforms, reducing the risk of unintentional data leakage. ZTNA architecture helps to provide seamless, context-aware access to private applications without exposing network infrastructure, enhancing security while reducing dependency on legacy VPNs.
Other necessary capabilities for a complete SSE solution include digital experience monitoring (DEM) and AI-driven automation and coaching, according to Gartner. DEM capabilities should include integrated tools to measure latency, app performance, and user experience. SSE solutions should also provide embedded AI assistants to support administrators with automated user coaching, threat detection, and policy enforcement.
