You must be well aware of SD-WAN technology for enterprises. It is beneficial for small-scale, medium-scale, as well as large-scale enterprises. SD-WAN solutions enhance the integrity, scalability, performance, and security of networks in varied ways. In this article, we are going to learn about the security features provided by SD-WAN infrastructure when used in multi-cloud and multi-vendor environments.
Before heading towards learning the security features of multi-cloud and multi-vendor environments, we should discuss these environments for better understanding.
What is a multi-cloud environment?
A multi-cloud environment is formed when different networking services are procured from different cloud service companies to run enterprise applications. You can assume using private as well as public cloud services in a multi-cloud environment.
With a multi-cloud environment, you get the flexibility to choose from your favorite cloud infrastructure and applications. This way, a multi-cloud environment becomes cost-efficient as well as high-performing in nature. In addition, you can get the best services for different tasks at low prices.
What is a multi-vendor networking environment?
When it comes to scaling, often enterprises need to establish new branches in a new location. That new location can be a new city and a new country as well. There, you will need to hire new SD-WAN vendors to set up new workstations. Hiring new vendors that may belong to different IT agencies forms a multi-vendor networking environment.
Such an environment gives you great flexibility to choose the most reliable vendors at affordable charges. Further, you can have varied policies and conditions with different SD-WAN vendors.
Common security challenges faced by multi-vendor and multi-cloud networking infrastructure
Well, multi-cloud and multi-vendor networking infrastructures are gaining popularity due to globalization and business expansion. However, there are some security challenges that are yet to be resolved. Let’s have a look at them:
Increased attack surface
With inconsistent and unsynchronized data security policies, cybercriminals get an increased attack surface to harm enterprises. They can get different entry points for attack. Therefore, careful and proactive management is required to safeguard enterprises.
Data privacy and compliance
Maintaining data privacy and standardization is a great hassle in both multi-cloud and multi-vendor environments. Therefore, you will be required to implement some advanced security measures to ensure data privacy and security compliance.
Network segmentation troubles
Sometimes, network segmentation is required to set a boundary between different cloud services and SD-WAN vendors. Network segmentation in an SD-WAN infrastructure helps prevent attackers from reaching your network paths by defining secure endpoints.
Network visibility and control
One of the major security challenges in a multi-cloud and multi-vendor networking environment is proactive network visibility and control. Network administrators find it difficult to manage and mitigate security risks & threats.
Performance and latency
Network latency can cause a hindrance and difficulty in seamless user experience. Here, network administrators find it difficult to maintain a secure and high-performing networking line. So, there is a great need to resolve this challenge too.
Exclusive security benefits you get by using SD-WAN in multi-cloud and multi-vendor environment
Let’s proceed to understand the security benefits you can get by deploying SD-WAN architecture in your enterprise:
Add End-to-end encryption features
You can add end-to-end encryption features to your networking infrastructure. It can be used to encounter all kinds of cyber security threats in every type of data. Further, you don’t need to worry about the network channel you are using for your enterprise applications. Encrypting data hinders the attackers from reading or modifying data present on network lines or in user applications.
Use zero trust network security model
Zero-trust network security model is ideal for implementing the most advanced security features for an enterprise-level networking infrastructure. The zero-trust network security model ensures that no one can enter the networking infrastructure without proper authentication. A trusted networking engineer can only modify the settings, or update the networking infrastructure. Only those who have proper validation, authorization, and authentication are given access to turn on or off any setting in the multi-cloud environment.
Enable secure internet access and direct-to-cloud connectivity
Fast and seamless connectivity is what is required to gain recognition among users while providing them services for any web application. Enterprises can give direct access to cloud applications without directing them to a central data node. It can help prevent bottlenecks and increase latency. Bypassing data centers enhance the performance of network lines and users can get the perfect connectivity to run web-based applications. Also, secure web gateways (SWG) and firewalls as a service (FWaaS) can be integrated into SD-WAN solutions.
Enable application-aware Security and Traffic Routing
Traffic rerouting and enabling application-aware security measures help prevent bottlenecks and congestion in the network lines. It is one of the top benefits of deploying SD-WAN infrastructure is that it ensures application-aware security models. It can help in the automatic routing of high-risk or high-priority enterprise applications.
Improvements in visibility and centralized control
Real-time monitoring of network traffic routes and automated prevention of cybersecurity attacks are also the greatest features of SD-WAN technology. With SD-WAN technology, quick detection of anomalies, high risks, potential threats, etc is possible with great visibility and centralized control.
Conclusion
Multi-cloud and multi-vendor environment is the fundamental requirement for enterprises to scale up. You can easily deploy new hardware and networking devices using different vendors at different locations. However, you must ensure that you hire reputed vendor and deploy reliable cloud computing devices. Further, you should take care of the security measures to ensure data confidentiality in your enterprise. Therefore, you should ask your vendors to deploy advanced and innovative variants of SD-WAN technology.
FAQs:
- What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is the modern form of the traditional WAN technology. It is a software-based networking architecture. It is independent of the hardware you use in your enterprise.
- How does SD-WAN secure your networking infrastructure?
SD-WAN comes along with next-generation firewalls, modern network encryption protocols, and advanced AI tools to proactively secure your network infrastructure.
- Is SD-WAN able to add AI and ML tools to a networking infrastructure?
Yes, the integration of AI and machine learning tools with SD-WAN technology is super easy.