Understanding SD-WAN Security for Businesses
Securely connecting users to applications is critical for a company’s long-term success. Many businesses are turning to software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) to manage performance and optimize their cloud-based environment. Learn more about SD-WAN security and its benefits.
What Is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is a computer network strategy that bonds various internet access resources to provide reliable infrastructure while reducing the total cost of ownership. It securely steers traffic across a network using a centralized control function. Managed SD-WAN technology allows business owners to enhance processes and flexibility without sacrificing security.
How Does SD-WAN Security Work?
The traditional router-central model is rigid and inefficient because it spreads the control function through all network devices and routes traffic based on IP address, impacting the overall user experience.
As more businesses become remote and implement cloud-based applications, they run into new complexities beyond what the traditional WAN model can handle. SD-WAN simplifies the process by connecting many users to cloud devices with the following:
Centralized Control
SD-WAN’s primary means of control are central and reside in a public-cloud SaaS application. Removing control from hardware simplifies network management and improves service. Most SD-WAN appliances follow operation rules from the main control, reducing or eliminating gateway management tasks and routers.
Dynamic Path Selection
SD-WANs feature dynamic path selection, allowing you to selectively route traffic onto specific WAN links depending on certain conditions or characteristics. Traffic is steered onto a particular link to increase balance or because it’s not working. SD-WAN technology also easily identifies packets by application, user, and source to send them to the ideal destination.
Multiple Connections
SD-WAN technology can serve as an overlay that covers a diverse communications infrastructure and enables multiple connections using various kinds of transport, including:
- MPLS
- Broadband internet
- LTE
Implementing a virtual private network is recommended to enhance security across multiple connections.
Policy Management
SD-WAN technology uses dynamic path selection to efficiently steer traffic and support a company’s quality of service policy. These policies are used to manage traffic based on priority level.
What Are the Benefits of Managed SD-WAN Services?
As businesses across industries evolve, they’re tasked with delivering technology platforms that meet the needs of their employees and customers. SD-WAN strategies provide the following benefits:
Increased Cost Savings
SD-WAN provides a dependable, secure WAN at internet prices. Over-the-internet services are cost efficient and offer greater scalability compared to carrier-based platforms.
Enhanced Performance
SD-WAN enhances the user experience by monitoring link health and redirecting traffic when necessary. This technology also improves performance by simplifying the processes of creating internet breakouts at remote offices, eliminating back traffic, and reducing latency.
Improved Security
SD-WAN technology provides security at the branch level and eliminates the need for data to return to a data center for additional protections, like firewall gateways or DNS enforcement. By segmenting the network, SD-WAN minimizes the overall damage if a breach occurs and makes it easier for your IT team to detect attacks.
Increased Scalability
With SD-WAN, internal IT teams can automate zero-touch deployment tasks using a single management interface. The central cloud architecture makes it easier for businesses to scale across multiple endpoints.
Enhanced Performance
SD-WAN is a cloud-based technology that uses the internet to deliver secure, high-performance connections. Remote employees also enjoy the benefits of SD-WAN because they experience less network latency and better connections.
What To Look for in an SD-WAN Security Provider
Because managed SD-WAN services are a new and evolving field, finding the right provider is critical for making sure you get the technology solution your company needs. An experienced company that understands the nuances and features of SD-WAN provides the most up-to-date framework to keep your business competitive.
Why Use First Class Connection as Your SD-WAN as a Service Provider?
First Class Connection understands the challenges associated with implementing SD-WAN technology across a company. Our team works with various SD-WAN vendors to track the latest trends and maintain expert knowledge. FCCC’s commitment to understanding SD-WAN processes has allowed us to offer micro-segmentation security features. This element creates virtual networks within an overlay and reduces attack risk by separating traffic.
We separate ourselves from the competition by providing ongoing support and fully managing your technology platform. Partnering with us allows expert administrator access that keeps your company’s applications operating at peak performance and delivers the features you need. Working with FCCC offers the following benefits:
- Enhanced managed detection and response services
- High performance for software-as-a-service applications, including Microsoft 365
- Detailed reporting and bandwidth forecasts for simplified management
First Class Connection: A Leading IT Solutions Provider
First Class Connection understands the challenges associated with navigating the IT landscape. That’s why we help clients build an IT strategy, find the right tools, and manage their installation to make sure it operates properly. Unlike other providers that offer a limited selection of services, we go above and beyond by providing 32 innovative solutions that address the various needs of our clients. We believe that being your provider is a full-time commitment and take pride in delivering quality services by keeping up with the latest developments.
Trusting our team with your investments means you never have to worry about productivity, connectivity, or mobility. From unified communications to managed security services, we keep your business competitive by focusing on the future. Our goal is to solve your company’s problems efficiently and thoroughly. Contact us today to learn more about our SD-WAN security services.