Couldn’t make it to the Fortinet SASE Summit 2025? Or prefer to digest the key points in your own time? We’ve broken down the highlights from the event, covering Gartner’s perspective, Fortinet’s vision, and customer stories shared on stage.
The Fortinet SASE Summit 2025 brought together industry leaders, technology experts, and enterprise customers to explore the future of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and its role in modernising network and security infrastructure. With keynote insights from Gartner and deep dives into Fortinet’s innovations, the summit highlighted the convergence of networking and security as a strategic imperative for businesses navigating hybrid work, cloud adoption, and evolving cyber threats.
Gartner Keynote: The Goal of Network and Security Convergence
The morning began with a keynote from Johnathan Forest of Gartner, who explored the accelerating convergence of networking and security in the enterprise landscape. Forest described SASE, Secure Access Service Edge, as the integration of Security Service Edge (SSE) and SD-WAN, a model that has become increasingly relevant as organisations adapt to hybrid work and widespread cloud adoption.
Forest explained that the shift to hybrid work has fundamentally changed how organisations think about connectivity and security. Employees now expect seamless, secure access whether they are working remotely or on-premise, and this expectation is driving the need for more flexible, cloud-based solutions. At the same time, the rapid adoption of cloud services has introduced new complexities and vulnerabilities, making it clear that traditional, perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient.
According to Gartner’s research, security remains the top priority for organisations, with 70% of clients listing it as their main concern. Cost is also a significant factor, cited by 37% of businesses, while 19% are focused on improving network performance. Forest noted that these priorities are shaping the way companies approach SASE adoption, with many seeking solutions that can deliver robust protection without sacrificing efficiency or user experience.
Forest outlined the three main models for deploying SASE: dual vendor solutions, where organisations use separate vendors for SSE and SD-WAN; single vendor SASE platforms, which offer a unified approach; and managed SASE, where a single provider delivers a fully managed service.
He emphasised that the industry is moving rapidly toward consolidation, with Gartner predicting that by 2028, 70% of SD-WAN deployments will be integrated into a SASE solution—up from just 25% in 2025. Furthermore, half of all new SASE deployments are expected to use a single vendor, and 30% of companies will transition from dual vendor to single vendor models within the same timeframe.
A significant portion of Forest’s keynote focused on the evolution of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). He explained that ZTNA is already transforming how organizations manage remote access, granting users network access only after they have been authenticated and authorised, and continuously adjusting permissions based on user and device context. This approach not only limits access to necessary resources and applications but also enhances security by adapting in near real time. Forest predicted that ZTNA will soon extend beyond remote workers to include on-premise employees and devices, further reducing reliance on traditional Network Access Control (NAC) solutions. In fact, Gartner forecasts that the NAC market will decline by 50% by 2028 as ZTNA becomes the preferred method for secure access.
Looking ahead, Forest identified several trends that will shape the SASE landscape over the next three years. He pointed to ongoing vendor consolidation, increased support for managed devices, and the emergence of sovereign SASE solutions that allow organisations to control where their data resides, even when using cloud services. He also highlighted the growing importance of post-quantum cryptography and the use of artificial intelligence in both network and security operations. The convergence of SD-Branch and SASE architectures, he noted, will further streamline operations and enhance security.
Forest concluded by emphasising that SASE is not just a passing trend, but a strategic shift that will define how organisations secure and manage their networks in the years to come. The convergence of networking and security, he argued, is essential for meeting the demands of modern business and staying ahead of evolving threats.
Fortinet’s Vision for SASE
Fortinet showcased its leadership in SASE and SD-WAN, emphasising its commitment to performance, security, and innovation. With over $2 billion invested in purpose-built ASICs and a global cloud network, Fortinet’s FortiSASE platform integrates AI and machine learning across 6 million sensors and 500 patents.
Key highlights include:
- 3x lower Total Cost of Ownership compared to competitors
- Monthly innovation releases
- A unified, flexible platform trusted by global customers
- A 300% increase in cloud infrastructure and over 160 global locations
Fortinet’s approach to SASE is built on best-of-breed security, unified architecture, and adaptability, positioning it as a leader in the space.
Customer Success Stories: Real-World Impact of SASE
Tepper Sports & Entertainment
A real highlight of the summit came from one of Fortinet’s clients, Tepper Sports & Entertainment, who shared how they tackled the challenge of delivering secure, consistent access to a highly mobile workforce, from scouts and coaches in airports to staff in offices and coffee shops.Their top priorities included:
- Seamless connectivity for both remote and on-premise workers
- Adoption of modern security policies rooted in Zero Trust principles
- Delivering a smooth and reliable user experience across all endpoints
By implementing Fortinet’s SASE solution, Tepper transitioned from fragmented legacy systems to a unified, always-on, always-secure network. This transformation enabled:
- Enhanced risk detection and proactive threat mitigation
- Real-time data insights that help prevent issues before they escalate
- A secure modernisation process that didn’t compromise performance or user experience
For Tepper, unified SASE is no longer a future goal, it’s their new operational standard.
Funke Media Group
We also heard from Funke Media Group, a prominent player in digital and print journalism, who shared insights on a defining moment when a major cyberattack struck their infrastructure. The breach exposed critical vulnerabilities in their legacy systems, particularly in how remote users accessed the network. With two-thirds of their workforce operating remotely, the company had relied on fixed access points rigid systems that, if compromised or offline, left users disconnected and scrambling for alternatives via email or phone.
The attack served as a wake-up call. It forced Funke to urgently reassess their security posture and modernise their network architecture. In response, they turned to Fortinet’s SASE platform to rebuild their infrastructure with security, flexibility, and resilience at its core.
The transition to SASE brought immediate and transformative benefits:
- Eliminated dependency on fixed access points, enabling seamless, secure connectivity for remote users
- Unified management of remote and on-premise assets through Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), simplifying oversight and improving visibility
- Rapid threat response and predictive analytics, allowing the IT team to act before issues escalate
Despite the urgency and limited preparation time, the deployment was smooth. The new system not only stabilised operations but also significantly improved user experience. Complaints about poor connectivity and clunky interfaces disappeared. Employees now work within a secure, intuitive environment that integrates effortlessly with Funke’s broader security strategy.
Looking ahead, Funke outlined plans to enhance their SASE deployment with AI integration, further strengthening their ability to detect, respond to, and prevent future threats.
FortiAI and Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM)
Fortinet then introduced FortiAI, designed to address challenges such as human error (95% of breaches), cloud blind spots (80% of organisations), and tool sprawl (average of 10 monitoring tools). FortiAI simplifies troubleshooting, configuration, and diagnostics, acting as a powerful assistant within the SASE ecosystem.
Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) was also showcased, offering real-time insights into app and network performance. DEM enables proactive IT operations, reduces silos, and requires no additional software or hardware, making deployment seamless.
Secure Access From Anywhere
With phishing accounting for 89% of browser-based attacks and 71% of employees storing sensitive data on personal devices, Fortinet closed by emphasing the importance of securing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments. Tools like ZTNA, Thin Edge, and the FortiSASE portal provide granular control over device access and threat mitigation, ensuring comprehensive protection across all endpoints.
Forge Technologies’ Perspective: What This Means for You
The Fortinet SASE Summit 2025 reinforced what we’re already seeing first-hand with our clients: the convergence of networking and security isn’t a future trend, it’s an urgent business priority. Hybrid work, M&A activity, and the relentless pace of cloud adoption mean that fragmented systems are no longer just inefficient—they’re a risk to growth, resilience, and reputation.
At Forge, we believe the organisations that will thrive are those that view SASE not just as a technical upgrade, but as a strategic enabler. Unified, secure connectivity allows IT teams to simplify operations, protect critical data, and give employees the seamless experiences they now expect. And when that foundation is in place, businesses can scale with confidence. Whether that’s opening new offices, onboarding acquisitions, or accelerating digital services.
Our advice to leaders is simple: start by assessing how complexity shows up in your current network and security architecture. From there, prioritise consolidation, visibility, and Zero Trust principles. The technology is here, the business case is clear, and the risk of standing still has never been greater.
As a Fortinet Advanced Partner, Forge is already helping organisations across sectors, from automotive retail to legal services, make this shift. If you’d like to explore what a unified, secure network could mean for your organisation, we’d be glad to share our experience and insights.
