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SD-WAN vs. SASE: How They Work Together

Nothing is more crucial for your business’s connectivity than ensuring you always have quick, dependable internet access. To ensure that data is safe and applications function correctly, you need security and performance features in addition to high-speed internet. SD-WAN and SASE are helpful in this situation.

With its robust technology for creating quick and secure connections, SD-WAN is the foundation of connectivity. SASE also has features for enterprise-level security and application performance that are unmatched by competing services. These resources work effectively together to boost any company’s productivity and efficiency.

What is SD-WAN? 

Networking techniques have changed paradigms with the introduction of SD-WAN. Due to their reliance on complicated hardware and complicated configuration protocols, traditional WANs can be challenging and time-consuming to administer. In contrast, SD-WAN is software-driven, making the system’s administration more straightforward and flexible. Thanks to this, businesses can change their network settings as their needs change, which boosts productivity and lowers costs.

Fundamentally, SD-WAN uses intelligent traffic routing techniques and cutting-edge software algorithms to improve performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional WANs. With the aid of these advanced technologies, SD-WAN enables enterprises to monitor real-time network activity from any location quickly and to swiftly optimise network architecture in response to shifting weather conditions or spikes in traffic. Overall, SD-WAN has emerged as a crucial tool for managing contemporary networks, allowing companies across all sectors to thrive in the digital age. 

What is SASE? 

SASE, or secure access service edge, is a cloud-based security architecture that unifies various security functions into a single, integrated platform. These functions include firewall as a service (FWaaS), web security, identity and access management (IAM), and data loss prevention (DLP).

Additionally, SASE offers fine-grained visibility into network activities, enabling organisations to recognise and address security concerns immediately. Businesses may safeguard their data from various threats with the help of this all-encompassing security strategy. 

How SD-WAN and SASE Work Together

While SD-WAN and SASE are crucial components of contemporary networking, combined, they can offer businesses of all sizes a genuinely transformational experience. SD-WAN provides the quick and dependable connectivity required to enable cloud-based services and applications. SASE simultaneously increases security by adding a layer, ensuring that data is safe from internal and external attacks. Additionally, SASE simplifies network security management by combining several security operations into a single platform, enabling enterprises to protect their data. 

Benefits of Using SD-WAN and SASE Together 

There are several benefits to using SD-WAN and SASE together, which include:

 Increased flexibility and agility

SD-WAN and SASE are software-based solutions that don’t require complicated hardware or configuration and can be rapidly and easily installed. This increases the agility and flexibility of enterprises by enabling them to alter their network architecture as their demands change quickly. Additionally, SASE simplifies network security management by combining several security operations into a single platform, making it more straightforward for enterprises to protect their data. 

Performance gains

SD-WAN optimises network traffic using sophisticated algorithms, and SASE offers granular visibility into network operations. Businesses may quickly and easily discover potential performance issues with this feature set, which enhances overall performance.

Reduced costs

SASE can assist in reducing the cost of WAN by up to 90%, whereas SD-WAN can help reduce the cost of security infrastructure by up to 50%.

 

The Challenges of Integrating SD-WAN and SASE 

Despite the numerous advantages of combining SD-WAN and SASE, there are a few difficulties that should be taken into account:

The complexity of management and implementation

The complexity of setup and management when combining SD-WAN and SASE is one of the main difficulties. Both options require proper deployment and configuration, which might make your network architecture significantly more complex.

Cost increases

The initial cost of deploying these solutions can be high, even though SD-WAN and SASE can help you lower the overall cost of your WAN and security architecture. Fees may also rise due to the difficulty of managing and executing these solutions.

Lack of standardisation

Currently, there is no accepted method for integrating SD-WAN and SASE, meaning each supplier has its own proprietary solution. Due to the lack of standardisation, businesses may need help to compare multiple vendors and choose the best solution for their needs.

Increased security risks

SASE can help your network become more secure, but it also brings new hazards that must be controlled. Incorrect configuration of your SASE system, for instance, could allow attackers to get over your security measures and access your data. To correctly configure security measures, SASE also necessitates that enterprises have a thorough awareness of their network traffic. If your company lacks this knowledge, you can endanger your data’s security. 

Businesses may enhance the performance and security of their networks with the help of SD-WAN and SASE, two potent technologies. These solutions must be designed appropriately and implemented to prevent rising complexity and expenses. Additionally, it may be challenging to analyse several solutions and select the best one for your needs due to the need for more consistency across supplies. With that said, SD-WAN with SASE may be the best option for your company if you’re seeking a strategy to expand the speed and security of your network. 

 

How Excelien can help

Excelien partners with leading providers in the industry, such as Masergy, Aryaka and Globalgig – we can help navigate the market to find the best solution based upon your requirements.

Contact the team at hello@excelien.com or book an appointment with our specialists.

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Where has the demand been shifted in Technology?

We work with over 150+ vendors and partners, continually in contact with them. Rather than selling the technology, we looked into how they’ve adapted and what they see as the latest trends.

 

Our partner network says COVID-19 has changed their organisation focus, with some hitting their yearly targets within two months – some having their technology consumption go from 1.5m users to 10m within 21 days – others adapting and creating short-term offerings to plug the hole which they anticipate.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic initially frightened shareholders, investors, vendors and solution providers’ plans for 2020 in the cloud technology market. However, soon after, technology priorities shifted as their prospects and customers faced the pandemic’s force of either group to remote and work from home scenarios or suspending operations entirely.

After enduring weeks of pandemic situations and understanding the beginnings of what a recovery will look like, solution providers are starting to recognise the short-term technology demands of the prospects and customers. According to research by The 2112 Group, these are what solution providers say are the top 5 technologies for the remainder of 2020.

5. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)

Companies understand that their operations will cease if they cannot have access to their data and IT resources.   Nevertheless, business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) services are gaining revived recognition in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are reevaluating their business continuity plans and resources as they identified gaps in their capabilities during the shift to decreased operations and remote workforces.

 

 

4. Networking

Though basic infrastructure and network may not be the most riveting technology, yet one-quarter (26%) of solution providers claim switching and routing will continue to be an essential product set. Businesses are reevaluating their network capacity demand to account for the shifting use cases as a consequence of the pandemic. Many companies anticipate reconfiguring their networks to support more remote connections and reduced latency for cloud-based applications.

 

 

3. Communications and Collaboration

Before the pandemic, Zoom established itself as one of the popular kids of the cloud-based video conferencing platforms. With Microsoft Teams physically distanced, Zoom with its minimal subscription and free offering sprinted on ahead overnight. Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx, and Google Meet observed growth in demand and utilisation. Every video conferencing, collaboration, and unified communications service is witnessing growth as businesses look to empower their new work from home contact centre and aiding the workforce to keep connected during social distancing. As we all look to the recovery period, many think working from home will become the new norm and permanent for many people, shaping communications and collaboration as a red-hot commodity for the foreseeable future.

 

2. Cloud Infrastructure Services

The cloud is earning its keep throughout the pandemic. Each company reluctant around migrating their infrastructure to the cloud – in both hosted or hybrid configurations – discovered promptly through their pandemic encounter the need of having access to data and resources. While the economy took a high in the first quarter as spending came to a sudden halt, cloud service providers witnessed considerable increases in their sales and consumption.

 

 

 

 

1. Security

For the past couple of years, Security technologies are always high on the agenda and demand as the threat of hackers is everywhere, and growing government regulations enforce data protection. The pandemic exposed new problems with IT security: An uneven distribution. As businesses moved to a work from home strategy, they soon realised that their security standards weren’t up to the job. People leaving the office were now using home PCs with consumer operating systems, inadequate security software, and poorly secured WiFi networks. Security technologies – especially managed security services – is witnessing growing demand as business reinforce their data protection measures to account for their distributed workforces.

 

 

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Enabling your remote workforce with short term billing (3 Month Commit)

We genuinely hope that you and your co-workers remain safe and healthy during these unprecedented circumstances. As a leading advisory organisation, we have worked side by side with our eco-system of vendors within the network services and cloud communications space, alongside Masergy we have a created a unique offering to accelerate your virtual workforce strategy further. We have created a short-term offer with a minimum 3-month commitment, and available for immediate response to build a productive and secure remote workforce for your global company.

VPN Offer: Fast and Fully-Managed Remote Connectivity

Require secure connectivity over the public internet to enable your workforce? Masergy Networking as a Service (NaaS) Virtual Private Networking (VPN) offers a turnkey solution for securely connecting remote workers to your corporate WAN. Entrust Masergy for fast and fully-managed connectivity.

  • Get bulk VPN connections spun up within 24 hours
  • Employees can use their home internet securely by connecting directly into Masergy’s software-defined network for high-performance application delivery.
  • A global team supporting 24/7 network performance monitoring

Unified Communications Offer: Empower Remote Workers

Companies want a seamless transition from office to home and maintain the productivity of the workforce while working at home. Masergy’s remote collaboration solutions support your team to stay productive wherever they are and on any device. To collaborate effectively, your workforce needs a seamless experience and the same resources and communication options they have in the office. Masergy makes it easy for you to deliver a work-from-home business model.

  • Masergy’s Remote Productivity Suite includes face-to-face meetings over video, softphone, presence, chat, and even desktop sharing
  • UCaaS technologies are embedded into Masergy’s software-defined network, so users get high-performance application delivery

Cloud Contact Center Quick Deploy Offer: Enable Remote Agents

Ramp up remote agents in just one week using Masergy’s Quick Deploy Offer. Powered by Cisco Webex Contact Center, this solution cost-effectively implements critical cloud-based services to facilitate the world-class experience today’s customers have come to expect.

This offer includes:

  • Rapid installation that typically occurs in five business days from order to live service
  • A FREE softphone or you can continue using your existing end-points
  • Tiered service options for standard and premium agents
  • VoIP, PSTN, and fully managed services with 24/7 network performance monitoring
  • Free toll/local number access and PSTN call, respectively for the first 90 days

 

Our cloud advisory team at Excelien are experienced in a range of Unified Communications and Contact Centre rollouts. Please speak to one of our cloud consultants today to see how we can increase productivity, manage costs and move to a futureproofed solution, whether temporary or permanent.

 

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