SD-WAN, a Single-Player?

Many companies and organizations have implemented SD-WAN over the years for various reasons. Primarily, they seek to enhance WAN performance. SD-WAN either replaces or supplements MPLS by utilizing more affordable broadband or LTE links with smarter routing. In addition, it decreases reliance on expensive leased lines by dynamically routing traffic, resulting in significant cost savings.

Furthermore, SD-WAN offers centralized control over branch connectivity, load balancing and failover, which simplifies network management. Many organizations also choose SD-WAN because their security infrastructure is separate; they have already deployed security tools and can layer those tools over SD-WAN manually.

It is clear that SD-WAN improves connectivity, but the question remains: is it sufficient for ensuring security? Despite certain opinions suggesting that SD-WAN might be losing its relevance, Gartner‘s latest research paints a different picture. In fact, SD-WAN remains relevant for most enterprises and is evolving in response to changing market demands. As a part of this evolutionary journey, it is increasingly being integrated into broader security solutions, such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).

SD-WAN, a Single-Player?

SD-WAN improves network speed and agility, but does it provide security for users and applications outside your traditional network perimeter? While SD-WAN enhances network traffic optimization, it has several pain points. It lacks Zero Trust access controls for remote users, applications, and devices, as well as unified policy enforcement across all edges (including branch, cloud, and remote access). Additionally, it does not include built-in security features such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and malware protection.

A critical point for businesses to consider is that running SD-WAN and security solutions separately can lead to increased operational overhead, inconsistent user experience, gaps in visibility and slower incident response times. This is precisely why Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is gaining momentum in the industry.

How Does SASE Supercharge SD-WAN?

What if your network security moved along with your users, wherever they go? Picture SASE as a golden equation that transforms the way we think about connectivity and security for users within your organization:

SASE = SD-WAN (networking) + SSE (security)

SD-WAN is the brain driving your network routing. Surrounding this brain is the robust cloud-native security armor provided by SSE, ensuring that your data remains safe and sound. Together, they make communication and transactions more efficient, faster and more secure, at the edge, wherever users or apps are located.

SASE natively enhances SD-WAN through:

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Verifies users and devices before granting access.
• Cloud Security Solutions (SWG & CASB): Protect SaaS and web traffic from threats.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Enables high-performance inspection and advanced threat detection via the cloud no matter where the user is located.

Why does this matter?

SASE unifies SD-WAN with security functions into one, scalable platform, purpose-built for a world without clear boundaries. In this way, it aims to simplify management, enhance security and elevate user experience via one cloud-native architecture. As a result, it offers the full package “connectivity + protection”, all delivered from the cloud.

A Robust SASE Solution by Neurosoft

Imagine your remote team enjoying the same level of protection and speedy access to applications as if they were right in the office. At Neurosoft, our team of seasoned experts is dedicated to empowering your business with cutting-edge SASE architecture. Moreover, our managed secure SD-WAN offering, Enterprise Link 2.0, enhances security, mobility and user experience. This solution focuses on principles of operational development, increased security, cost efficiency, scalability and simplified architecture, improving business connectivity while ensuring high data protection during transmission. As a result, you can easily and swiftly extend native SD-WAN functionality to your remote users.

Empower your employees to securely access company information systems regardless of location and connection used. Join us on a journey toward enhanced security and unparalleled performance.

Contact a Neurosoft expert!