Remote work, initially a temporary response to global circumstances, has become a permanent fixture for many enterprises and the clients we serve. This shift magnified the need for fast, secure access to critical applications from any location, pushing businesses to rethink traditional security strategies.
With the growing adoption of cloud services and hybrid work models, the attack surface has inevitably expanded, rendering traditional security measures insufficient. To address these evolving threats, businesses must leverage modern security solutions that provide secure, resilient access to applications across diverse locations, devices, and networks.
While SD-WAN, zero trust, and SASE are already well-known for their ability to enhance network performance and security, their importance has become even more pronounced in today’s rapidly changing threat landscape. In this article, we revisit how these network security solutions and technologies can help businesses improve their security and network performance.
Listen: The Next Big Thing In Networking
The Role Of SD-WAN In Modern Networking
At the core of many modern network strategies is SD-WAN, which simplifies the management of wide-area networks by decoupling network hardware from the control mechanisms. This allows businesses to build a more agile WAN infrastructure at a lower cost. SD-WAN also optimizes traffic using a mix of legacy multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and broadband internet, improving performance, especially for remote workers.
According to the 2023 research by Ponemon Institute, 44% percent of organizations have deployed or will deploy SD-WAN and cloud-delivered security in the next 12 months. From a security standpoint, SD-WAN uses encryption and VPNs to secure data as it travels between branch offices, data centers, and the cloud. This makes it particularly beneficial for enterprises with a distributed workforce.
The Rise Of Zero Trust
Traditional network models trust devices within the perimeter by default. In contrast, zero trust assumes that no entity can be trusted by default, regardless of location. Every user and device must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated before accessing critical resources.
Zero trust is both a security philosophy and an architectural approach to network security. Enterprises are increasingly adopting this strategy, with 15% of high-performing organizations indicating to adopt and implement Zero Trust within the next year. Zero trust is especially crucial in businesses that rely on multiple clouds and SaaS platforms. By implementing zero trust, enterprises can better protect against threats like unauthorized access and data breaches while maintaining compliance with various regulatory requirements.
A Unified Approach To Networking And Security
As hybrid work models grow in popularity, SASE becomes a preferred solution by converging WAN capabilities and cloud-delivered security services. This comprehensive approach to networking and security addresses the growing complexity of modern IT environments by simplifying network management and secure, seamless connectivity for a distributed workforce.
According to Ponemon Institute, 49% of enterprises have already deployed or plan to deploy SASE. However, its adoption is expected to rise as companies recognize the trending benefits of unifying networking and security. The good thing about SASE is that it delivers both SD-WAN and security services as a cloud-based solution directly to the source of the connection — whether a remote employee, a branch office, or an IoT device.
Unified SASE: The Future Of Network Security
As the demand for integrated network security solutions grows, many businesses are looking to consolidate their SASE components into a single platform. By doing so, enterprises can simplify their branch infrastructure, reduce costs, and provide a better user experience.
One of the significant advancements in the evolution of SASE is the introduction of unified SASE. This approach is especially attractive because it combines security and networking into a single, cohesive solution, thus enabling businesses to manage these critical functions through an integrated platform. According to Gartner’s 2022 Market Guide for Single-Vendor SASE, 65% of enterprises will consolidate individual SASE components into one or two explicitly partnered vendors over the next two years. This trend highlights the growing demand for streamlined, efficient solutions in today’s complex IT environments.
A unified SASE solution offers several key benefits:
- Simplified branch and network management: Organizations can eliminate the need for multiple hardware appliances by integrating SD-WAN and security into a single platform. This integration enhances operational efficiency and simplifies management.
- Enhanced security: The solution extends zero trust controls to all users and devices, regardless of their location — whether they are at a branch office, working from home, or traveling. This comprehensive approach ensures consistent security across all access points.
- Cost savings: Combining security and networking functions into one platform allows organizations to streamline their infrastructure. This consolidation leads to reduced operational costs and more efficient use of resources.
- Superior user experience: Users can enjoy a seamless experience by optimizing application performance and ensuring secure, reliable access from any location.
A prime example of unified SASE is HPE Aruba Networking’s approach. Combining their award-winning Security Service Edge (SSE) with industry-leading SD-WAN into a cohesive solution, the unified platform simplifies the deployment process by offering a single vendor solution. This process ensures seamless management and eliminates the complexity associated with multiple vendors.
The solution is also built upon HPE Aruba Networking SD-WAN, which includes:
- EdgeConnect SD-WAN, which features a built-in next-gen firewall that lets users safely remove physical firewalls and routers in their branch offices. For small edge or branch sites, the new EC-10104 Model offers a cost-effective solution to manage and streamline operations efficiently.
- EdgeConnect SD-Branch
- EdgeConnect Microbranch
Moreover, HPE Aruba Networking’s edge-to-cloud SASE solution leverages zero trust network access (ZTNA) to provide least-privilege access to all people and devices. It also offers comprehensive protection against data security threats and malicious web traffic through:
- Secure web gateway (SWG)
- Cloud access security broker (CASB)
- Digital experience monitoring (DEM)
HPE Aruba Networking’s unified SASE solution stands out by offering flexible licensing options to fit a wide range of budgets and requirements. This ensures that businesses can tailor their solution to meet current needs while allowing the freedom to scale and adapt as those needs evolve over time.
Final Thoughts
As businesses continue to adopt hybrid work models and expand their cloud presence, securing remote and distributed environments through SD-WAN, zero trust, and SASE is essential. However, as enterprises look for more streamlined network security solutions, is emerging as a key player in simplifying IT infrastructure, reducing costs, and strengthening security — all while delivering an exceptional user experience.
WEI’s cloud security experts are ready to help secure your cloud environment. With personalized security assessments and custom-built SASE solutions featuring advanced technologies like HPE Aruba Networking, we provide the expertise you need to confidently drive digital transformation and protect your critical assets. Contact us today to get started.
Next Steps: Traditional data centers are struggling to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology. As organizations shift towards distributed, edge-cloud-centric models, the need for a modern, agile, and secure data center has never been more critical.
WEI, in partnership with HPE Aruba Networking, is excited to present a comprehensive tech brief that explores how you can revolutionize your data center with cutting-edge automated solutions. This tech brief is your gateway to understanding how automated data center solutions can transform your business. Whether you're looking to modernize your existing infrastructure or plan for future growth, this guide offers the insights you need to make informed decisions.
