The number, frequency, and sophistication of cyber threats continue to grow. Security breaches and ransomware attacks are escalating by nearly a third each year. Even organizations that implemented state-of-the-art security solutions a few years ago may find them lacking against today's evolving threats.
Security and networking technology are converging rapidly. Gartner first coined the term Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) several years ago, and the concept has been growing in importance ever since. SASE is a security framework that combines cloud-native security technology with wide area network capabilities. This allows users, systems, applications, and networks to be connected securely from anywhere.
The most current technology is a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) with an integrated next-generation firewall (NGFW), automated security monitoring, and multiple layers of protection. When you discuss security with your IT network provider, these are some of the critical questions you should ask.
Does Your SD-WAN Solution Have Integrated Security?
SD-WAN plays a vital role in managing your network operations and performance. By providing dynamic routing, SD-WAN finds optimal pathways within your network and in the cloud and prioritizes mission-critical and real-time applications that demand low latency. You also need an integrated SD-WAN security solution to monitor and manage security across all of your endpoints from a single dashboard.
Do You Use a Next-Gen Firewall?
Your SD-WAN should incorporate an NGFW solution. You need the latest tools to protect your assets in today's constantly evolving threat landscape. A NGFW is a dynamic network overlay that provides multiple layers of protection. It automatically blocks access to ports by inspecting all traffic to ensure it meets security profiles and requirements.
Some SD-WAN solutions include a stateful firewall, but that alone does not provide the robust security protection you need. Always opt for an NGFW security solution when comparing SD-WAN vs. a firewall. An SD-WAN solution with an integrated NGFW automatically detects new endpoints or connections to your network and applies universal and user- and device-specific security protocols.
Do you Utilize Advanced, Real-Time Security Protocols?
You need a comprehensive security solution that includes the latest defenses against cyber threats, including:
- URL filtering, including accept and reject lists.
- URL filtering by category and reputation.
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that continuously monitors for malicious threats.
- Automated threat intelligence that updates regularly and includes real-time updates for emerging threats.
- End-to-end encryption and IPsec tunnel encapsulation.
- Unified Threat Management (UTM).
- Anti-virus protection.
Are You Deploying Zero Trust Network Access Strategies?
Security solutions should also include deploying zero trust network access (ZTNA) to manage remote employees and a distributed workforce. ZTNA provides features such as:
- Network micro-segmentation to prevent lateral movement.
- Strong multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Granular application-based and role-based control.
- Granular application and network visibility.
Who Is Your SD-WAN Partner?
You should work with an SD-WAN provider that partners with industry-leading suppliers. For example, for comprehensive network security, LOGIX partners with Versa Networks, a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader in SASE SD-WAN solutions.
LOGIX SD-WAN security solutions include next-gen firewall capabilities and the advanced security controls you need to protect your network against cyber threats. This allows you to optimize and control security across your WAN from a single interface and eliminates the need to manage multiple vendors and security platforms.
With LOGIX SD-WAN Secure, you get maximum protection while also helping optimize network performance by creating a resilient architecture that includes:
- Dynamic routing (traffic steering) for optimal connectivity.
- Prioritization of mission-critical and real-time applications.
- Network command and control from a single interface.
Overcoming SD-WAN Security Challenges
Networks have become significantly more complex since organizations have been deploying more cloud resources. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, and other third-party solutions help employees work more efficiently but make applying consistent security policies more challenging.
LOGIX Fiber Networks offers SD-WAN Secure and SD-WAN Secure Anywhere as solutions that can help protect your network, regardless of how you connect to the internet and how your employees work.
Are you looking for a solution to overcome SD-WAN security challenges? Contact LOGIX at 281.688.6231 to talk to one of our network security experts or request a quote online.