Can SD-WAN answer all network and security requirements, now and in the future?
The SD-WAN contract renewal period is an ideal time for IT and security teams to review SD-WAN’s ability to fit into their future plans. Such plans might include cloud infrastructure, mitigating cyber risks and enabling remote access from anywhere.
To help, we’ve created a list of four considerations to take into account during such a review, as well as actionable questions. These will help you determine whether you should renew your SD-WAN contract, and what to do next, if not.
Consideration 1: Security
As traffic volumes grow, data and assets become more vulnerable. Security measures reduce the attack surface by ensuring that traffic and data remain accessible only to authorized users and services. By implementing advanced security technologies, enterprises reduce the risk of breaches, which have financial, legal and business implications.
Consideration 2: Cloud Optimization
Digital transformation entails rolling out applications and infrastructure to the cloud, as well as using external cloud applications within enterprises. Such traffic and access need to be optimized for the cloud, in terms of performance, migration and security.
Consideration 3: Global Access
Employees and data are dispersed globally. Therefore, enterprises need predictable and reliable transport to connect these global locations to the cloud and data centers. The Internet is an erratic solution that cannot be relied on.
Consideration 4: Remote Access
Employees and data are dispersed globally. Therefore, enterprises need predictable and reliable transport to connect these global locations to the cloud and data centers. The Internet is an erratic solution that cannot be relied on.
What’s Next After SD-WAN?
SD-WAN provides value in many areas, yet there are some cases where a different solution is needed to complement capabilities missing in SD-WAN. One alternative is to deploy additional point solutions that integrate with SD-WAN, like dedicated branch security, a mobile zero trust network or a cloud extension like Azure ExpressRoute. A second alternative is to implement a solution that includes SD-WAN and all point solutions in one converged product. This is SASE.
What is SASE?
SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a single platform that converges all network and security functionalities into a single, cloud-native global and secure service. With SASE, enterprises gain all the point product advantages in a simplified and streamlined solution, but without the friction of integrating and maintaining them.
Book your 1:1 SASE demo!