IT leaders these days have a lot on their plates, but topping the list for nearly everyone is security and performance. You need to optimize performance to keep your employees working productively without sacrificing network security. This has become a more significant challenge with the acceleration of remote workers, work from home (WFH), and work from anywhere (WFA).
Cyberthreats continue to escalate at an unprecedented level. Attacks on businesses increased by 50% in 2021. A December study reported that external attackers can breach an organization’s network perimeter in 93% of cases. Another report, from the Ponemon Institute, says that 45% of businesses have insufficient security measures. These statistics all add to tell a bigger story. The threat is escalating and many organizations are not prepared.
If you’re still relying on virtual private networks (VPNs) to manage your incoming traffic from remote workers, that’s only one aspect of your network security.
VPNs have been around for more than 25 years and have played an important role in helping secure remote connections by providing encrypted tunnels for remote network access. However, VPNs security ends when it hits your network. You need a secure access service edge (SASE) solution that combines VPN and SD-WAN with cloud-native security, such as secure web gateways, next-gen firewalls, and zero-trust network access (ZTNA) for optimal protection.
SASE Creates a Secure Network Perimeter
SASE creates a secure network perimeter to allow remote access to your organization’s entire network. Not only does SASE improve security, but it also improves performance, and provides an easier way to manage your entire network.
Here are some of the key reasons why you need a more robust security platform beyond VPN.
Performance
VPNs lack the Quality of Service (QoS) features that are built-in to SASE solutions. SD-WAN includes dynamic path selection, which prioritizes traffic based on context. Applications that require low latency, such as video conferencing, VoIP, or other business-critical apps, will get priority on the SD-WAN network.
Maintenance & Monitoring
SD-WAN is scalable and flexible. It also allows you to control all of your application and device access from one central panel. It makes deploying and maintaining devices simpler. With SD-WAN, you also get pervasive visibility into network, application, and security performance without having to add additional hardware or other third-party solutions — all functions that VPN alone does not provide.
Reliability
SD-WAN providers also offer a failover feature. SD-WAN will automatically adjust to an outage or service failure by taking control of your IP address and transferring to another network to maintain your connectivity.
Scalability
Since SD-WAN operates as an overlay to an existing network, you can scale quickly and seamlessly when you add new devices, nodes, or remote users. Everything is controlled by a centralized portal that can be accessed in the cloud.
Connectivity
SD-WAN also supports increased connectivity options. You can use a variety of WAN connections, including broadband, dedicated internet access, point-to-point links, LTE, MPLS, etc., and manage your SD-WAN network of public, private, and hybrid connectivity.
Enhanced Security and ZTNA
SD-WAN has a vast feature set that creates a safer, more secure way to protect your data. Here are some of the key advantages for SD-WAN:
- Restrict traffic based on type or user profile
- Consistent application of security protocols across all connections
- Expanded security footprint
- Centrally management and monitoring
- Extend SASE SD-WAN solutions to mobile and remote workers
SD-WAN also allows users to deploy ZTNA for securing remote and distributed workers. Your SASE solution provides:
- Stronger identity verification
- Reduced attack points by making apps invisible to those without access rights
- Segmentation of application traffic to restrict access and prevent lateral movement
- Improved visibility and auto-adapt based on changes in context
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
LOGIX SD-WAN Secure
LOGIX SD-WAN Secure is a cloud-based overlay that includes next-generation firewall capabilities with unified threat management, anti-virus options, URL filtering, intrusion prevention, and more. LOGIX SD-WAN Anywhere lets you extend your network security and SD-WAN service to all of your remote workers while maintaining command and control from a single portal interface.
LOGIX Fiber Networks has partnered with Versa Networks, a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader, for a comprehensive approach to optimize and secure your SD-WAN network.
Contact LOGIX Fiber Networks today at 281.688.6283 or online to request a quote.