The new WAN standard.

Networking devices, locations, users and everything else via the internet are changing how people, resources and processes collaborate and businesses are faced with the challenge of setting up a secure connection to the cloud (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS) or their own data centre. This new standard is known as SD-WAN and should fulfil the requirements of businesses looking for a software-based wide-area network.

Scalable to requirements.

The demands being placed on corporate network infrastructures are greater than ever as businesses require greater agility, resilience and better application performance.

We know that in the past, traditional WAN infrastructures were more about connectivity than security. In the age of hybrid cloud architectures, it’s more important than ever that we rethink the topics of IT security and global networking. Our network structures need to grow dynamically with application requirements and also guarantee security for transported applications and data.

Traditional networks are no longer up-to-date.

The growing need for data throughput as a result of cloud transformation is choking up our traditional wide area networks. Legacy network structures are inflexible, in many respects quite unsecure and not really up-to-date. A modern SD-WAN design enhances the user experience and ensures a stable network connection. Branch-based users benefit enormously from the new technologies while overall efficiency is given a boost and maintenance is reduced.

Challenges.

Cloud-based IT and progressive digitalisation, whether full cloud or hybrid, inevitably create tension between WAN and IT security. On the one hand, we want sufficient WAN performance and flexible application provisioning while on the other, we segment networks and establish next-generation security modules. It goes without saying then that the development of a solution is not always without compromise. Our goal is to achieve a mutual result that balances out contradictory aspects on all technical layers. 

Alleviate your data centre.

By leveraging SD-WAN technologies, it is much easier and more secure to integrate cloud services such as SaaS, IaaS, PaaS and co. What’s more, IT system resources can be reduced leading to savings in terms of investment and operations while also promoting green IT.

Not all SD-WAN is created equally.

It would be far too easy if there were a right approach to SD-WAN security, but every architecture has its strengths and weaknesses. The key is to match the strengths to your requirements and then develop the right solution. Our approach focusses on an SD-WAN solution’s applications, routing, security, WAN optimisation and manageability. A reference model developed specifically for this provides our customers with a needs-based orientation as well as some creative leeway.

SD-WAN guide.

Which SD-WAN solution and security modules are the best for your business? This is exactly what our customers’ CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, CSOs and CISOs are asking. With our SD-WAN Solution Guide, we help you to make the right decision by showing you how you can achieve modern, secure and future-oriented global networking that meets your needs in terms of digital transformation and progressive cloud adaptation—today and tomorrow.

Summary.

  • Cloud security has to be an integral component of every cloud and WAN strategy.
  • State-of-the-art technologies secure on-premise and cloud applications. 
  • Rules, regulations and compliance provisions have to be taken into account.
  • Leverage security modules to secure local internet breakouts.
  • Applications and their quality, stability and performance requirements form the SD-WAN policy.

Find out more on this topic in my C-Days presentation on 01 October 2020.

 

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