October 30, 2024 at 04:34PM
MEF has announced advancements in its MEF 3.0 SASE Certification Program, with Fortinet and Versa achieving full certification alongside service providers like AT&T and Verizon. This certification enhances security assurances for enterprises facing complex cyber threats, supported by rigorous testing in partnership with CyberRatings.org. More details are available at the Global NaaS Event.
### Meeting Takeaways from the MEF Press Release:
1. **SASE Certification Advancements**:
– Technology providers **Fortinet** and **Versa** have achieved full SASE certification.
– Service providers **AT&T**, **BT**, **Colt**, **Comcast Business**, **Console Connect**, **Liberty Latin America**, **Lumen**, **Orange Business**, **TPG**, and **Verizon** have also earned full SASE certification.
– **Broadcom Inc.**, **Palo Alto Networks**, and service provider **Sparkle** are expected to achieve certification soon.
2. **Certification Program Overview**:
– MEF’s SASE certification program includes rigorous testing focused on **SD-WAN**, **SSE**, and **Zero Trust** capabilities, conducted in partnership with **CyberRatings.org**.
– Technology providers must complete all three certification modules, while service providers can certify through MEF-certified technology integration.
3. **Importance of Security Solutions**:
– MEF emphasizes the necessity for organizations to have high confidence in their cybersecurity solutions due to the increasing complexity and frequency of cyber threats.
– The certification program aims to provide enterprises with validated security solutions, enabling informed decisions on security investments.
4. **Standards and Transparency**:
– The certification validates compliance with MEF standards, including **MEF SD-WAN (MEF 70.1)**, **SASE (MEF 117)**, and **Zero Trust (MEF 118)**.
– Certified solutions are listed in MEF’s registry, complete with detailed ratings for enterprise reference.
5. **Relevance in the NaaS Landscape**:
– As SASE becomes integral to **Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)** offerings, certified solutions reassure enterprises of the cybersecurity measures embedded in their networks.
– MEF has released a report titled **”State of the Industry Report: SASE – Validating Cyber Defense in an Era of Unprecedented Threats”** to aid organizations in navigating this evolving landscape.
6. **Event Highlights**:
– MEF’s SASE certifications and related advancements will be highlighted at the **Global Network-as-a-Service Event (GNE)** from **October 28-30, 2024**, in Dallas, Texas.
7. **MEF Overview**:
– MEF is a global consortium focused on facilitating enterprise digital transformation through standards, frameworks, and certification programs across networking and cybersecurity domains.
For more details about MEF and its certification programs, please visit [MEF.net](http://MEF.net).