Over the past ten years, technological advancements have changed the landscapes of global business, from how corporate data is managed to ways that services are delivered; among which, cloud computing is a major milestone of business’ stepping into network modernization. According to a 2019 report conducted by Cloud Security Alliance, nearly 70% of enterprise organizations are migrating their business data and applications to the cloud.

Coupled with cloud, SD-WAN has become the primary solution to the challenges of branch networking. This software-based approach is meant to connect geographically dispersed branch offices to their corporate networks, without relying on proprietary hardware, firewalls, and traditional connections (MPLS) to do so. But as COVID-19 broke out, the surge in remote workforce transitioned the users from branch offices to homes, leaving the IT managers wondering if their investments in infrastructure pay off.

It can’t be clearer that, in the post-pandemic digital era, what we are dealing with is not merely challenges in sight, but the uncertain, ever-changing working environment. SD-WAN alone is not the answer, although having successfully contributed to reduced Internet bandwidth costs, Internet access for hard-to-reach areas, and immediate purchase/activation of broadband wireless services.

Thanks to SD-WAN, it serves as a significant step forward into cost-effectively multiple remote connections. However, as it is built for branches, there is no security provided for users to defy malware nor access controls that enterprises require for network protection in a cloud environment. In a word, the SD-WAN solution lacks the ability to offer the backbone for global performance. That’s why most network managers are considering switching to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE); the limitations of legacy networks are no longer of their concerns, but how to connect their mobile users or solve unpredictable remote access challenges. 

As a network technology built on SD-WAN, SASE improves not only security but management and network performance.  By integrating the security tools step by step, it can control security features like VPN remote access, firewalls, and gateways, meanwhile simplifying the network management by combining SD-WAN and other infrastructure into a single cloud-based platform. In sum, it provides telcos with the following benefits:

  • Reduced CAPEX and OPEX costs by integrating multiple services/functions into one single platform 
  • Immediate secured user access to corporate’s network, regardless of their whereabouts and whatever devices used for connection
  • Consistent security approaches for enterprises to monitor and defend their corporate network against cyberattacks.

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a comprehensive platform that blends SD-WAN with security and remote access many other capabilities to meet whatever challenges you face today and tomorrow. For more information about selecting SASE and the right partner for WAN transformation, please visit Lanner SASE solutions: https://www.lannerinc.com/news-and-events/latest-news/secure-access-service-edge-sase-appliances-enable-the-most-agile-edge-security