Why DX is not complete without a transformed security architecture

A cloud-first strategy must consider the benefits and the challenges that IT teams will encounter.

Cloud migration can lead to better accessibility, agility, availability, better application performance, and lower costs.

However, Silver Peak states that challenges can include unpredictable application performance, error-prone policy configurations that extend deployment time, and policy enforcement becomes inconsistent when managing it across hundreds or thousands of sites.

Consider an organisation that is migrating its applications to the cloud. It will discover new traffic patterns that benefit from a new wide area network (WAN) approach and security model.

Today's modern enterprises leverage applications from data centers, public and private clouds, and many different software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers. Users now access applications from anywhere any any device across more WAN transports, including broadband internet.

These come with security and cost challenges, which can be mitigated with smart thinking and the right processes in place.

Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) is the model by which core WAN edge capabilities like SD-WAN, routing, and WAN optimisation at branch locations are integrated with cloud-based security services like secure web gateways (SWG), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), cloud access security brokers (CASB), and more.

According to Silver Peak, the SASE model can offer:

• Improved user experience by delivering better application performance by breaking out cloud traffic locally over the internet from the branch
• Operational efficiency by simplifying branch WAN infrastructure and through centralised orchestration of application, network and security policies
• Reduced risk with consistent, always-up-to date, business-driven security policy enforcement
• Increased business agility by significantly reducing the time to bring new sites and applications online or to update application and security policies.

However, not all SD-WAN solutions adopt a SASE model within their cloud and security offerings.

Silver Peak and Zscaler launched an API-based integration that automates cloud-delivered security configuration through Silver Peak Unity Orchestrator.

The two companies recently enhanced this integration to include finer granularity of application, user and device controls.

Furthermore, a new capability can improve both the performance and responsiveness of network and security services in the event of a failure or degradation issue.

Silver Peak and Zscaler's joint automated orchestration can provide a seamless cloud-delivered security integration with WAN. This is all managed from the central Unity Orchestrator system.

"Enterprises looking to adopt a SASE infrastructure require a 'no compromise' WAN edge and security transformation strategy to realise a multiplier effect from their existing and ongoing cloud investments," Silver Peak concludes.

Find out how you can secure your SD-WAN without compromise here.