SASE RFP Template (Free Download) + Run Your RFP Online
What is a SASE RFP?
A SASE RFP (Secure Access Service Edge Request for Proposal) is a structured procurement document that organisations use to evaluate and compare SASE vendors against specific technical, security, and commercial requirements. It covers:
- Security architecture — zero trust network access (ZTNA), cloud-access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway (SWG), and firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS)
- Network connectivity — SD-WAN underlay options, global PoP coverage, latency SLAs, and last-mile diversity
- Management and visibility — single-pane dashboard, policy orchestration, real-time analytics, and API integrations
- Compliance alignment — mapping to NHS DSPT, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and sector-specific frameworks
- Commercial terms — per-user vs per-site licensing, contract flexibility, SLA guarantees, and total cost of ownership
How to Create a SASE RFP in 5 Steps
- Define your requirements — Document current network topology, user counts by location, application dependencies, and compliance obligations.
- Map evaluation criteria — Weight each pillar (security, networking, management, compliance, commercial) according to organisational priorities.
- Select your vendor shortlist — Use market data and independent reviews to identify 3-5 vendors that match your sector, scale, and geography.
- Issue and score responses — Send the RFP to shortlisted vendors with clear deadlines, then score responses against your weighted criteria matrix.
- Run proof of concept — Validate the top-scoring vendor with a limited deployment before committing to a full rollout.
SASE RFP Evaluation Criteria
| Pillar | Key Evaluation Areas | Example RFP Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ZTNA, CASB, SWG, FWaaS, DLP, threat intelligence | How does the platform enforce zero trust per-application access? |
| Networking | SD-WAN, global PoP coverage, latency SLAs, QoS | What is the PoP-to-PoP backbone latency SLA? |
| Management | Centralised console, policy automation, API, RBAC | Can policies be managed via API and CI/CD pipeline? |
| Compliance | ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, NHS DSPT | Which compliance certifications does the platform hold? |
| Commercial | Licensing model, TCO, contract terms, SLA penalties | What is the per-user and per-site licensing structure? |
What is a SASE RFP Template?
What is a SASE RFP Template? A SASE RFP template is a structured procurement document used by enterprise IT teams to evaluate Secure Access Service Edge vendors against standardised technical, security, and commercial criteria. The Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework provides a methodology covering architecture, security posture, deployment model, compliance, and commercial terms — used by IT teams across Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, and Financial Services.
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Last updated: March 2026
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Why Do Most SASE RFPs Fail to Produce Results?
Most SASE RFP templates and processes produce inconclusive results because the evaluation was compromised before a single vendor responded. The following table identifies the five structural failures observed in traditional SASE procurement and how the Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework addresses each.
| Failure Mode | What Happens | Impact on Evaluation | Netify Framework Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor-led question bias | RFP questions drawn from vendor sales materials or pre-sales documentation rather than business requirements | Evaluation criteria favour the incumbent or preferred vendor; competing providers cannot differentiate on genuine capability | Pre-built requirement modules developed from cross-vendor evaluation experience across 30+ SASE providers |
| No scoring model | Responses evaluated subjectively by individuals without agreed weighting or criteria | Shortlist determined by presentation quality or existing relationships rather than technical merit | 1–10 per-requirement scoring with cumulative totals and automated vendor ranking |
| No compliance mapping | Security requirements written without reference to NHS DSPT, PCI DSS, SOC 2, FCA or sector-specific standards | Vendor responses cannot demonstrate regulatory alignment; compliance gaps discovered post-contract | Compliance framework mapping built into each module covering UK GDPR, PCI DSS 4.0.1, ISO 27001, DSPT, FCA PS21/3, NIS2, IEC 62443 and HIPAA |
| No stakeholder alignment | IT, security, procurement and business stakeholders not agreed on evaluation priorities before vendor engagement begins | Conflicting scoring, disputed shortlists and procurement delays as teams revisit criteria mid-evaluation | Modular requirement selection allows stakeholders to agree scope before publication; each module independently activated or deactivated |
| No structured comparison | Vendor responses arrive as PDFs, slide decks and spreadsheets in incompatible formats | Evaluation teams spend weeks normalising responses rather than assessing capability; like-for-like comparison is impossible | Platform-enforced response structure where providers address each requirement independently within a common format |
The Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework eliminates these failures structurally. Requirements are standardised, responses are comparable, scoring is quantified and compliance alignment is pre-mapped — before the first vendor receives your RFP.
How Does the SASE RFP Builder Work?
A SASE RFP template through Netify is built through five phases: choosing the right questions for your business, security requirement specification, marketplace publication, response management and scoring.
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Introduce your Company & Environment Input your industry, company overview and primary contact details
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Define your Security Posture & Access Patterns Input your existing identity provider, user types, device posture requirements and application access policies
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Specify ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS and DLP requirements Detail which security components you need vendors to address and your organisation's specific compliance obligations.
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Collect structured submissions in-platform Providers respond to each security requirement with standardised, directly comparable results. Monitor responses, request clarifications and RFP progress in the dashboard.
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Evaluate, rank and build shortlists Score vendor responses, assess security capabilities and produce a shortlist highlighting capability differences.
What Pillars Should Your SASE RFP Cover? Complete Coverage Matrix
Developed by Netify for enterprise IT procurement teams, the Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework evaluates vendors across standardised pillars spanning identity, threat prevention, network connectivity, operations and commercial terms. The following matrix defines each pillar, the security components evaluated, and their presence in the Netify RFP Builder.
Identity & Access
Pillar 1 – Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Security Components Evaluated: User authentication, device posture, per-app micro-tunnels, least-privilege enforcement
Key Evaluation Criteria: IdP integration depth, MFA enforcement patterns, clientless access, legacy app support
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 2 – Identity Integration & Authentication
Security Components Evaluated: SSO, MFA, Azure AD / Okta / on-prem AD compatibility, conditional access
Key Evaluation Criteria: Directory sync latency, group-based policy mapping, certificate-based auth
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 3 – Third-Party Access Management
Security Components Evaluated: Contractor access, vendor remote sessions, temporary credentials, session recording
Key Evaluation Criteria: Least-privilege enforcement for non-employees, time-bound access, audit trail per session
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Threat Prevention
Pillar 4 – Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Security Components Evaluated: URL filtering, TLS inspection, malware scanning, bandwidth controls
Key Evaluation Criteria: Inspection throughput, certificate handling, bypass policies, user experience impact
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 5 – Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Security Components Evaluated: Shadow IT discovery, inline / API modes, DLP for SaaS, OAuth app control
Key Evaluation Criteria: SaaS app catalogue breadth, API coverage, real-time vs near-real-time enforcement
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 6 – Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
Security Components Evaluated: L3–L7 policy enforcement, IPS/IDS, DNS security, micro-segmentation
Key Evaluation Criteria: Policy granularity, east–west inspection, cloud workload protection, PoP distribution
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 7 – Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Security Components Evaluated: Content inspection, regex/fingerprint matching, exact data match, OCR
Key Evaluation Criteria: Detection accuracy, false positive rates, channel coverage (web, email, endpoint)
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 8 – Encryption & TLS Inspection
Security Components Evaluated: TLS 1.3 decryption, certificate management, bypass policies, performance impact
Key Evaluation Criteria: Inspection throughput under load, latency impact, selective bypass for sensitive traffic
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Network & Connectivity
Pillar 9 – SD-WAN Convergence
Security Components Evaluated: Path selection, application-aware routing, WAN optimisation, branch connectivity
Key Evaluation Criteria: Unified vs bolt-on architecture, single management plane, traffic engineering
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 10 – Global Backbone & PoP Distribution
Security Components Evaluated: PoP locations, peering arrangements, latency SLAs, regional redundancy
Key Evaluation Criteria: Geographic coverage, on-ramp options, private backbone vs public internet
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Operations & Governance
Pillar 11 – Logging, Monitoring & SIEM Integration
Security Components Evaluated: Log aggregation, SIEM forwarding, dashboards, alerting, retention policies
Key Evaluation Criteria: Log completeness, export formats, real-time streaming, retention periods
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 12 – Implementation & Migration Methodology
Security Components Evaluated: Phased rollout, VPN coexistence, user onboarding, rollback procedures
Key Evaluation Criteria: Migration plan quality, coexistence strategies, training provision, timeline
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 13 – Service Model & Support
Security Components Evaluated: Managed vs co-managed vs self-service, SLA tiers, escalation paths
Key Evaluation Criteria: NOC/SOC capability, response time guarantees, named account management
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 14 – Resilience & Business Continuity
Security Components Evaluated: HA architecture, failover mechanisms, disaster recovery, RTO/RPO
Key Evaluation Criteria: Redundancy design, geographic failover, degraded-mode operation, testing
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 15 – Compliance & Certification Validation
Security Components Evaluated: ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, Cyber Essentials Plus, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR
Key Evaluation Criteria: Current certification status, audit frequency, evidence provision, data residency
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 16 – Policy Governance & Audit Trail
Security Components Evaluated: Role-based access control, approval workflows, change logging, immutable audit records
Key Evaluation Criteria: Segregation of duties, policy change traceability, regulatory audit readiness
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 17 – Data Residency & Sovereignty
Security Components Evaluated: Processing location controls, data-in-transit routing, regional storage constraints
Key Evaluation Criteria: UK data residency guarantees, EU adequacy alignment, cross-border transfer mechanisms
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 18 – Commercials & Licensing
Security Components Evaluated: Per-user vs bandwidth pricing, bundling, contract terms, exit clauses
Key Evaluation Criteria: Pricing transparency, included vs add-on features, volume discounts, flexibility
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Pillar 19 – AI-Assisted Custom Requirements
Security Components Evaluated: Organisation-specific questions generated by the Netify AI Helper
Key Evaluation Criteria: Unique workflows, legacy constraints, sector-specific mandates
Netify Builder: ✓ AI Helper
Evaluation & Selection
Pillar 20 – Provider Evaluation & Shortlisting
Security Components Evaluated: Per-requirement scoring, cumulative ranking, weighted priorities, shortlist generation
Key Evaluation Criteria: Scoring objectivity, ranking transparency, stakeholder alignment on shortlist criteria
Netify Builder: ✓ Full module
Core Modules & Security Requirements
AI-Assistant Custom Requirements: Use the AI Helper to draft organisation-specific questions addressing unique identity workflows, legacy application constraints or sector-specific compliance mandates.
A SASE RFP template must present consistent evaluation criteria spanning security services and operational controls. The Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework delivers modular requirement categories containing a bank of pre-written security and operational questions you can toggle to match your deployment's scope.
How Does the Netify Framework Compare to a Generic SASE RFP Template?
Generic SASE RFP templates downloaded from the internet follow a static, one-size-fits-all format — useful as a starting point, but lacking the structure needed to produce comparable vendor responses. The Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework is a structured evaluation methodology built from cross-vendor procurement experience across 30+ providers.
| Dimension | Generic RFP Template | Netify 20-Pillar Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Static Word document or PDF | Structured 20-pillar methodology with modular requirement selection |
| Scoring | No scoring automation; ad-hoc spreadsheets | Built-in 1–10 per-requirement scoring with weighted priorities and automated ranking |
| Responses | Vendor-written in inconsistent formats | Standardised structured responses within enforced common format |
| Benchmarking | No benchmarking capability | Marketplace comparison built-in across 30+ pre-vetted vendors |
| Compliance | Manual compliance checking | Pre-mapped to NHS DSPT, HIPAA, PCI DSS 4.0.1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, FCA PS21/3, NIS2 |
| Vendor access | Limited to known contacts; manual outreach | 30+ curated SASE vendors and managed service providers matched algorithmically |
Major SASE Platforms Evaluated in Enterprise RFPs
Enterprise SASE RFPs typically shortlist a small number of major platforms representing different architecture models. The table below shows commonly evaluated SASE platforms and the security components typically included in enterprise SASE evaluations.
| Vendor | ZTNA | SWG | CASB | FWaaS | DLP | Global Backbone | Architecture Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cato Networks | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Single-vendor SASE |
| Zscaler | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | ✓ | SSE Platform |
| Netskope | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | SSE Platform |
| Palo Alto Prisma | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | SASE Platform |
| Fortinet | ✓ | Partial | Partial | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | SD-WAN + Security |
| Cisco | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | SSE + SD-WAN |
| Cloudflare | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | Cloud Security Edge |
Vendor capabilities vary depending on deployment model and product configuration. Enterprises typically evaluate vendors against structured procurement frameworks such as the Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework.
Which SASE RFP Approach Is Right for You? Platform vs Traditional vs Consultant
Organisations building a SASE RFP template can follow a traditional manual process, engage a consultant, or use a purpose-built platform. This table compares the three approaches across critical procurement dimensions.
| Evaluation Dimension | Traditional (Manual RFP) | Consultant-Led RFP | Netify RFP Builder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed & Efficiency | |||
| Time to publish RFP | 4–12 weeks | 3–8 weeks | MinutesModule selection to publication |
| Vendor distribution | Manual outreach, typically 3–5 vendors | Consultant network, typically 5–10 vendors | 30+Pre-vetted SASE vendors and MSPs |
| Response collection | Email attachments, spreadsheets, PDFs | Consolidated by consultant into report | UnifiedIn-platform structured responses |
| Quality & Consistency | |||
| Requirement standardisation | ✗ Varies by author | ◐ Depends on consultant | ✓ Pre-built module library |
| Response comparability | ✗ Incompatible formats | ◐ Normalised post-submission | ✓ Enforced common structure |
| Mandatory response enforcement | ✗ Incomplete proposals common | ◐ Manual follow-up required | ✓ Platform-enforced completion |
| AI-assisted question generation | ✗ Not available | ✗ Not available | ✓ Netify AI Helper |
| Evaluation & Scoring | |||
| Scoring methodology | Ad-hoc spreadsheets | Consultant-defined weightings | 1–10Per-requirement scoring with totals |
| Shortlist generation | Manual comparison | Consultant recommendation | ✓ Automated ranking |
| Clarification workflow | Email threads | Via consultant intermediary | ✓ In-platform, shared with all |
| Cost & Reusability | |||
| Typical cost | Internal resource time only | £15,000–£50,000+ engagement | FreeNo cost to publish and evaluate |
| RFP reusability | ✗ Start from scratch | ◐ If consultant retains docs | ✓ Duplicate and republish |
| NDA management | Manual execution | Via consultant | ✓ Platform-managed NDA gates |
What Can the Netify RFP Builder Do That a Static Document Cannot?
With the Netify SASE RFP template builder you can construct a comprehensive security and networking evaluation and reach providers directly in minutes (a process that would otherwise take weeks or even months coordinating across stakeholders and vendors), whilst eliminating the challenge of fragmented responses that resist meaningful comparison. Simply select your security requirements, define access policies and user groups, publish to our vetted provider network, then evaluate and rank submissions - all within our platform.
Used by IT teams in Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare and Financial Services for structured vendor procurement.
Over 30 Vendors and Service Providers
Pre-built SASE requirement modules for every security component
Evaluation and shortlisting within the platform
How Do You Publish Your SASE RFP to the Marketplace?
After completing your SASE RFP template and reviewing all requirement modules, you can publish directly to the Netify marketplace where over 30 specialist SASE vendors and managed service providers monitor for new opportunities.
Provider Categorisation and Filtering - Providers on the Netify marketplace span cloud-native SASE platforms, security-led vendors, connectivity-focused service providers and managed security specialists. Your security requirements, compliance obligations and service model preferences help providers assess their fit.
Unified Response Framework - Providers submit responses through the Netify platform, addressing each security requirement within a common structure. This eliminates inconsistent proposal formats and ensures you receive comparable evidence rather than marketing collateral.
Progress Visibility - Track which providers have accessed your RFP and monitor submission status as responses arrive, maintaining visibility throughout the evaluation cycle.
How Do You Compare and Score Vendor Responses?
All provider submissions arrive in a single space, eliminating the need to compare multiple document formats and email threads during evaluation.
Requirement-Level Responses - Providers address each security requirement independently, delivering directly comparable answers across all participants for every capability you're assessing.
Mandatory Response Enforcement - The platform requires providers to complete all mandatory requirements before submission - avoiding incomplete proposals and reducing follow-up clarification cycles.
In-Built Scoring Capability - Score responses to individual questions 1-10, creating easy cumulative scores to allow comparisons between different vendors.
| Capability | Specification | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| RFP Construction | ||
| Security modules available | 20Evaluation pillars | ZTNA, Identity, Third-Party Access, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, DLP, Encryption, SD-WAN, Global Backbone, Logging, Implementation, Service Model, Resilience, Compliance, Policy Governance, Data Residency, Commercials, AI Custom, Provider Evaluation |
| Question generation | AI-AssistedNetify AI Helper | Automatic company profile population, bespoke requirement drafting, requirement refinement prompts |
| Module configuration | ModularToggle on / off | Independently activate or deactivate each security component and operational module |
| Target markets | UK & North AmericaGlobal multinationals | Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, Financial Services |
| Marketplace & Distribution | ||
| Vendor network | 30+SASE vendors and MSPs | Cloud-native platforms, security-led vendors, connectivity providers, managed security specialists |
| Publication speed | MinutesFrom completion to live | Immediate marketplace distribution upon publication |
| Confidentiality | NDA GatedPlatform-managed | Mandatory NDA acceptance before providers view RFP contents; access blocked for non-signatories |
| Evaluation & Scoring | ||
| Response format | StructuredPer-requirement | Providers address each requirement independently within enforced common structure |
| Scoring system | 1–10Per-question scoring | Cumulative scores with automated vendor ranking and shortlist generation |
| Mandatory completion | ✓ Enforced | Providers must complete all mandatory requirements before submission |
| Clarification workflow | ✓ In-platform | Questions logged, responses shared simultaneously with all participants |
| Progress tracking | ✓ Dashboard | Monitor provider access, submission status and evaluation progress |
| Reusability & Persistence | ||
| RFP storage | IndefinitePersistent access | All RFPs persist in account for contract renewals, expansions and architecture reviews |
| Duplication | ✓ Supported | Duplicate existing RFPs, update requirements, modify modules and republish |
| Cost | FreeNo charge to publish | No cost to build, publish or evaluate responses |
Why Use the Netify SASE RFP Builder?
The Netify SASE RFP Builder eliminates complexity from security procurement, with capabilities specifically built to help you assess the most critical SASE components for your organisation whilst maintaining professional standards throughout.
SASE RFP Requirements by Industry
By IndustryWhich SASE RFP Requirements Apply to Your Sector?
As security priorities differ significantly across industries, organisations in the following sectors should consider these constraints, evaluation priorities and example requirements when building their SASE RFP templates:
Healthcare & Pharma
DSPT, Caldicott and clinical IoT segmentation requirements
Retail & E-commerce
PCI DSS segmentation, multi-site policy and third-party access
Manufacturing & IoT
OT/IT separation, IEC 62443 and multinational plant connectivity
Financial Services
FCA PS21/3, audit trail generation and trading platform latency
Healthcare
A SASE RFP for healthcare must emphasise clinical application access controls, medical IoT device segmentation, patient data protection within cloud services, and demonstrable compliance with DSPT and Caldicott Principles.
Healthcare presents distinct challenges with clinical staff requiring seamless access to EPR and PACS systems whilst maintaining strict data protection standards. Medical IoT devices operating on clinical networks demand isolation from other traffic types without disrupting device functionality, and patient data moving through cloud applications requires CASB and DLP controls that satisfy UK GDPR obligations. Many clinical sites lack on-site security specialists, making managed service capabilities critical.
When evaluating providers, healthcare organisations should assess ZTNA policies that accommodate both managed devices and clinician-owned smartphones, CASB capabilities specifically demonstrated with clinical SaaS platforms, FWaaS segmentation with auditable policy enforcement for IoMT isolation, and logging infrastructure with retention periods satisfying DSPT evidence requirements. These priorities ensure providers understand the intersection of clinical workflow efficiency and patient data protection.
| SASE Component | Healthcare-Specific Requirement | Compliance Driver | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZTNA | Policies for managed devices and clinician-owned smartphones accessing EPR and PACS | DSPT, Caldicott Principles | |
| CASB | Capabilities demonstrated with clinical SaaS platforms and patient data workflows | UK GDPR, DSPT | |
| FWaaS | IoMT device segmentation with auditable policy enforcement | DSPT, NHS Digital | |
| DLP | Patient data protection across cloud applications and email | UK GDPR, Caldicott | |
| Logging | Retention periods satisfying DSPT evidence requirements | DSPT | |
| Service Model | Managed service capabilities for clinical sites without on-site security specialists | Operational |
Retail
A SASE RFP for retail must prioritise consistent policy enforcement across distributed branches, third-party vendor access controls, payment network segmentation, and rapid deployment capability.
Retail organisations manage hundreds of locations where security policies must apply uniformly despite the absence of local IT personnel. Third-party POS vendors, maintenance contractors and seasonal support staff all require access without creating shared VPN credentials that violate least-privilege principles. Payment card traffic demands PCI DSS-compliant segmentation with documented evidence, and peak trading windows prohibit security changes that might disrupt revenue-generating operations.
Provider comparison should centre on ZTNA policies designed for third-party contractor access without persistent VPN tunnels, centralised SWG and FWaaS policy management proven to scale across hundreds of endpoints, demonstrated PCI DSS segmentation capabilities with audit trail generation, and failover mechanisms with documented recovery time objectives for store connectivity. These criteria confirm providers can support retail's operational tempo and compliance requirements.
| SASE Component | Retail-Specific Requirement | Compliance Driver | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZTNA | Third-party contractor access without persistent VPN tunnels | PCI DSS, Least Privilege | |
| SWG / FWaaS | Centralised policy management scaling across hundreds of endpoints | Operational | |
| FWaaS | PCI DSS-compliant payment network segmentation with audit trails | PCI DSS 4.0.1 | |
| Resilience | Failover mechanisms with documented RTO for store connectivity | Operational | |
| Deployment | Zero-touch provisioning for rapid multi-site rollout | Operational |
Manufacturing
A SASE RFP for manufacturing must prioritise OT/IT network separation, global PoP coverage for plant-to-cloud connectivity, device posture controls for industrial systems, and operational models suited to sites with limited security staff.
Manufacturing environments require strict boundaries between operational technology running production lines and IT systems handling business applications, with any policy mistakes risking production downtime. Remote manufacturing sites often operate across multiple continents with variable connectivity quality and maintenance windows dictated by production schedules. Real-time plant monitoring, quality control systems and cloud-connected MES platforms all demand predictable latency and availability, whilst third-party equipment vendors require controlled access to OT systems without compromising segmentation.
When assessing providers, manufacturing organisations should prioritise ZTNA capabilities explicitly designed for OT access with least-privilege enforcement, FWaaS segmentation demonstrating clear policy boundaries between production and corporate networks, global PoP distribution adequate for multinational plant operations, and managed service offerings that reduce burden on plant-level teams. These comparison factors ensure providers grasp the operational criticality and geographic distribution inherent to manufacturing.
| SASE Component | Manufacturing-Specific Requirement | Compliance Driver | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZTNA | OT access with least-privilege enforcement for third-party equipment vendors | IEC 62443, NIS2 | |
| FWaaS | Clear policy boundaries between production OT and corporate IT networks | IEC 62443, Purdue Model | |
| Global PoP | Distribution adequate for multinational plant operations with predictable latency | Operational | |
| Service Model | Managed service offerings reducing burden on plant-level teams | Operational | |
| Resilience | Maintenance window scheduling aligned to production schedules | Operational |
Financial Services
A SASE RFP for financial services must prioritise comprehensive security stack integration, stringent identity and device controls, complete audit trail generation, and low-latency connectivity for trading platforms.
Financial services face regulatory requirements demanding full audit trails for policy changes, user access events and data movements. ZTNA policies must enforce strong authentication and device posture checks before permitting access to sensitive trading systems or customer databases, whilst CASB and DLP capabilities must prevent unauthorised data exfiltration from cloud applications. FCA operational resilience obligations under PS21/3 and PCI DSS 4.0.1 requirements further constrain acceptable architectures.
Provider evaluation should prioritise integrated SASE capabilities spanning ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS and DLP without multiple management planes, strong encryption and TLS inspection without introducing unacceptable latency, comprehensive logging with retention periods meeting regulatory audit needs, and policy governance featuring role-based access, approval workflows and immutable audit logs. These requirements ensure providers can satisfy both security rigour and regulatory obligations.
| SASE Component | Financial Services-Specific Requirement | Compliance Driver | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated SASE | ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS and DLP within a unified management plane | FCA PS21/3, Operational Resilience | |
| ZTNA | Strong authentication and device posture checks for trading systems | FCA, PRA | |
| CASB / DLP | Prevention of unauthorised data exfiltration from cloud applications | FCA, UK GDPR | |
| Logging | Comprehensive audit trails with retention periods meeting regulatory needs | FCA, PCI DSS 4.0.1 | |
| Encryption | TLS inspection without introducing unacceptable latency for trading | FCA, PCI DSS 4.0.1 | |
| Governance | Role-based access, approval workflows and immutable audit logs | FCA PS21/3, SOX |
Free Sector SASE RFP Templates: Manufacturing, Healthcare & Retail
Three sector-specific SASE RFP templates produced by the Netify research team — covering Manufacturing, Healthcare and Retail. Each template contains expert RFP questions written from both the buyer and supplier perspective, and includes a guide to running your evaluation through the Netify marketplace, giving you access to 30+ curated vendors and managed service providers. Complete the short form on each card below to download your free template.
Manufacturing SASE RFP Template
Expert RFP questions for Manufacturing SD-WAN and SASE procurement, covering OT/IT separation, IEC 62443, IIoT device segmentation, SCADA/ICS security, global plant connectivity and operational resilience. Includes buyer and supplier lens for every question.
Healthcare SASE RFP Template
Expert RFP questions for Healthcare SD-WAN and SASE procurement, covering NHS DSPT, DCB0129, HIPAA, Caldicott Principles, IoMT device segmentation, clinical network resilience, EHR optimisation and EPR access controls. Includes buyer and supplier lens for every question.
Retail SASE RFP Template
Expert RFP questions for Retail SD-WAN and SASE procurement, covering PCI DSS 4.0 CDE segmentation, POS/PDQ failover, multi-site Golden Template management, third-party contractor access, omnichannel ERP connectivity and store WiFi analytics. Includes buyer and supplier lens for every question.
SASE RFP Scoring: Vendor Evaluation Methodology
The Netify SASE RFP Builder uses a structured scoring methodology to produce objective, comparable vendor rankings. Each security requirement is scored independently, generating cumulative totals that highlight capability differences across the evaluation.
| Score | Classification | Evaluation Criteria | Vendor Response Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–10 | Exceeds Requirements | Vendor demonstrates capability beyond stated requirement with evidence | Detailed technical response, reference architectures, proven deployments in comparable environments |
| 7–8 | Fully Meets Requirements | Vendor addresses all elements of the requirement with supporting detail | Clear capability statements, configuration examples, compliance evidence provided |
| 5–6 | Partially Meets Requirements | Vendor addresses core elements but gaps exist in coverage or evidence | General capability confirmed but lacking specificity, roadmap items included, limited evidence |
| 3–4 | Minimally Meets Requirements | Vendor acknowledges requirement but response lacks substance or relies on third parties | Vague statements, partner/integration dependencies, no evidence of deployed capability |
| 1–2 | Does Not Meet Requirements | Vendor cannot address the requirement or response is non-substantive | No capability, future roadmap only, or requirement deflected without addressing core need |
SASE RFP Compliance: Regulatory Framework Mapping
A comprehensive SASE RFP must map security requirements to applicable regulatory and industry compliance frameworks. The following table defines which SASE components address specific compliance obligations across UK and international standards.
| Compliance Framework | ZTNA | SWG | CASB | FWaaS | DLP | Logging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK GDPR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 27001:2022 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cyber Essentials Plus | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ |
| SOC 2 Type II | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DSPT (NHS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FCA PS21/3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NIS2 Directive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| IEC 62443 (Industrial) | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ |
| HIPAA (US Healthcare) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
✓ = Directly addresses compliance control ◐ = Partially addresses or supports compliance control
Common SASE RFP Questions
The Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework recommends inviting 3–5 vendors to respond to a structured RFP. This allows meaningful comparison without overwhelming evaluation teams. Netify's platform provides access to 30+ curated vendors, with algorithmic matching to identify the best-fit shortlist based on site count, region and security requirements.
A comprehensive SASE RFP should evaluate vendors across architecture, security integration, deployment model, compliance alignment, commercial terms and ongoing support. The Netify 20-Pillar Framework standardises this evaluation so procurement teams can compare vendors on a consistent basis rather than relying on vendor-led marketing responses.
A structured SASE RFP process typically takes 4–8 weeks from requirements definition to vendor shortlist. The Netify RFP Builder accelerates this by providing pre-built question sets, AI-assisted requirement generation and automated response scoring — reducing the typical timeline to days rather than months.
An RFI (Request for Information) gathers general vendor capabilities and market intelligence. An RFP (Request for Proposal) is a formal procurement document requesting detailed, structured responses against specific technical and commercial requirements. Netify supports both — the RFI Builder for early-stage research and the RFP Builder for formal procurement.
A SASE RFP should cover architecture and topology, security stack integration (NGFW, SWG, CASB, DLP, ZTNA), deployment model, compliance alignment, SLA commitments, migration approach, commercial terms and ongoing support. The Netify 20-Pillar Framework provides the complete question structure across all evaluation areas.
SASE RFP Template: Frequently Asked Questions
A SASE RFP should articulate your current security architecture, identity infrastructure and compliance requirements, followed by standardised questions across ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, DLP and operational capabilities designed to produce comparable evidence.
The Netify SASE RFP Builder provides comprehensive requirement modules covering provider evaluation, Zero Trust access controls, web security, cloud application protection, firewall capabilities, data loss prevention, identity integration, SD-WAN convergence, logging infrastructure, service models, implementation approaches, resilience designs and compliance validation. Each requirement includes evaluation context explaining what you're assessing and response guidance ensuring providers deliver answers in comparable structures.
For VPN replacement projects, emphasise ZTNA capabilities with clear device posture enforcement, user experience requirements for SSO and transparent authentication, phased migration methodology that maintains service during transition, and logging infrastructure that preserves or enhances your current visibility.
The Netify SASE RFP Builder includes specific requirements in the Zero Trust Network Access and Implementation Methodology modules addressing VPN replacement patterns, user onboarding processes and coexistence strategies that directly evaluate these areas.
The Security Module sections and SD-WAN Convergence category include requirements asking providers to demonstrate whether security functions operate within a unified management plane or require integration between separate products. Questions address policy consistency, incident correlation across security layers and operational complexity of managing multiple consoles.
The Identity Integration & Authentication module includes requirements for documenting compatibility with your existing identity providers (Azure AD, Okta, on-premises Active Directory), MFA enforcement patterns for different application sensitivity levels, and SSO user experience for both managed and unmanaged devices.
The Commercials section includes requirements for itemised pricing separating ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS and DLP licensing, user-based versus bandwidth-based pricing models clearly explained, included capabilities versus additional charges, and contract term flexibility. This framework prevents providers from obscuring costs through vague bundling or omitting security components from initial quotations.
The Netify platform provides an integrated clarification workflow where vendor questions are logged and your responses can be shared with all participants simultaneously, maintaining information parity and evaluation fairness.
Yes. SASE RFPs created in Netify persist in your account with indefinite access. For contract renewals, security stack expansions or architecture reviews, you can duplicate your existing RFP, update requirement descriptions to reflect evolved security posture, modify module selections based on changed priorities and republish to the marketplace. This substantially reduces effort for subsequent procurement cycles as your core requirement framework already exists.
SASE RFP Template Resources & Downloads
Free SASE RFP template downloads and supporting materials for the Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework. Each resource is available to download below using your business email address.
Sector RFP Templates
Free sector-specific templates for Manufacturing, Healthcare and Retail — with buyer and supplier lens for every question.
Download free templates →SASE RFP Evaluation Checklist
Pre-publication checklist covering requirement completeness, stakeholder sign-off and compliance mapping.
Coming soon →SASE Procurement Guides
Detailed vendor evaluation guides, sector-specific procurement frameworks and RFP question banks on the Netify blog.
View guides →Build Your SASE RFP in Minutes
Select your security requirements using the Netify 20-Pillar SASE Procurement Framework, define access policies, publish to over 30 vetted SASE vendors and managed service providers, then evaluate and rank submissions — all within the Netify platform. No generic SASE RFP template can match the structured, comparable output this produces.
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