My main use case for SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) is for remote and hybrid work access, specifically for Zero Trust Network Access to sensitive and private resources, as well as secure access to both private and public internet and SaaS resources, to support dynamic, distributed environments and BYOD.
Remote access has become more secure and flexible but reporting still needs deeper analytics
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) offers excellent features including Zero Trust Network Access, VPN as a service, and Cloud Access Security Brokers. One of the standout features is Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) for Software as a Service, providing visibility and control over cloud applications employees use, not only regarding whether they can use them but also regarding the actions they perform within those applications. This is especially useful in organizations utilizing many SaaS tools such as Office 365, Salesforce, and cloud storage, where consistent security policy enforcement is required, even from personal devices or remote locations.
The secure web gateway feature is critical for modern-day internet security. SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) provides secure web gateway features for users accessing the internet, including URL filtering, domain filtering, blocking malicious websites, preventing phishing or ransomware threats, and enforcing acceptable use policies.
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) has had a very positive impact on our organization as our workforce becomes more distributed, with noticeable improvements including easier and more secure remote access. Previously, managing VPN clients and hardware gateways was difficult for new or non-technical users, but with SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE), users simply authenticate and get secure access to only the applications they need. There are numerous improvements I notice, such as improved BYOD security, reduced risk of lateral movements, simplified management, lower hardware dependency, and better visibility and compliance reporting.
After moving to SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE), we saw a 38% reduction in VPN-related tickets. Users are no longer facing client errors, tunnel failures, and certificate issues, which saves nearly 25 hours per month on troubleshooting remote access problems. Onboarding remote users has become 60% faster, now taking only 10 to 15 minutes instead of 30 to 40 minutes. Additionally, there has been a 52% reduction in risky connection attempts primarily from devices with outdated operating systems or disabled antivirus, with zero lateral movement and a 30% drop in failed login anomalies.
What needs improvement?
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) has some areas for improvement, particularly in reporting and dashboards. While it provides strong visibility, it could benefit from deeper analytics, customizable dashboards, and better event correlation. Clarity in documentation and depth in dashboards could use some enhancement.
One area for improvement is adding more automation for policy recommendations, where SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) could suggest best practice access policies based on user behavior, device posture, training, and historical logs, which would reduce manual tuning and help new admins configure the platform more quickly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) is quite stable, as it is built as a cloud-native security service SASE platform combining ZTNA, VPN as a service, CASB, CWGs, and more, helping to avoid many common pitfalls associated with legacy VPNs and firewall appliances.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) is scalable and adapts well to changes in my organization's needs, with a cloud-native architecture that can handle mixed environments of on-premises, cloud, and remote users, as well as flexible user configurations and minimal infrastructure overhead, while its licensing and subscription models support growth.
How are customer service and support?
I have not faced any challenges with customer support for SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE); they are very good and supportive. I genuinely appreciate SonicWall for providing such support to their users.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we faced complexity with VPN management, which was the main reason for switching to SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE). Our earlier solution involved a traditional VPN appliance with on-premises firewalls and gateways for remote access, which was very complex and required constant troubleshooting. The security limitations included full network access once connected, increasing lateral movement risk, along with scaling and hardware costs and poor BYOD experiences that we encountered.
What was our ROI?
I have seen a return on investment with a direct cost saving of 18 to 22% annually after we retired two legacy VPN appliances and eliminated their maintenance contracts. There are no hardware refresh, power, or cooling costs, resulting in direct yearly savings, and zero costs for VPN client management. There has also been a 30 to 40% drop in security incidents, with overall reduced risky access attempts.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The setup cost for SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) was minimal as most of the investment was in time spent configuring connectors and access policies rather than infrastructure, since it is cloud-delivered. We did not have to purchase additional hardware or appliances. The licensing is fairly simple, subscription-based with clear tiers, and features such as Zero Trust access, posture checks, and connectors are included in the main license, alleviating concerns over hidden add-ons. Overall, pricing is user-based, making it predictable and easy to scale as our team grows, and compared to traditional VPN appliances, the long-term costs are lower due to the absence of hardware refreshes or maintenance requirements.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated other options before choosing SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE), comparing various security devices and services. Ultimately, we selected SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) due to its balance of simpler deployment, strong BYOD capabilities, and predictable pricing, which closely matched our requirements compared to other evaluated solutions.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to those looking into using SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) is to start with a clear plan. Before deploying, it is crucial to map out which users need access to which applications, as SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) works best when utilizing application-level, least privilege policies and not broad network access. I would rate my overall experience with this solution a 7 out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
