SD-WAN vs SASE: which one does your business need?
Where the two overlap, where they differ, and which one fits the way your organization actually works.
Software-defined networking has gained a lot of traction over the past few years, making it a strong fit for the modern workplace. It is more cost-effective, flexible, and scalable than traditional infrastructure, and it can evolve alongside changing requirements while giving administrators significantly more control over and visibility into their networks.
When it comes to software-defined networking, the two most popular options are SD-WAN and SASE. Here is how to tell which one fits your business.
A quick primer on wide area networks
A WAN consolidates multiple locations into a single geographically dispersed network. Those locations can be anything from home offices to data centers. Because they frequently span vast distances, WANs are traditionally complicated to configure, manage, and maintain, requiring specialized networking hardware and connectivity to multiple kinds of infrastructure.
What SD-WAN is
An SD-WAN is a fully virtualized wide area network. Instead of relying on physical network appliances, it creates a digital overlay that integrates with your existing connections. Common features include:
- Centralized configuration and policy enforcement.
- Automatic traffic routing and prioritization.
- Real-time network monitoring.
- Virtual network segmentation.
What SASE is
SASE is a cloud-based evolution of SD-WAN focused on applying security directly at the network edge. First introduced as a concept in 2019 by Gartner, it combines the core functionality of SD-WAN with security services that include:
- Cloud Access Security Broker
- Monitors activity and enforces security policies across cloud applications.
- Secure Web Gateway
- Identifies and restricts malicious internet traffic from entering sensitive internal networks.
- Firewall as a Service
- A subscription-based replacement for on-premises firewall solutions.
- Zero Trust Network Access
- Requires authentication and continuous verification from all devices and users.
- Data Loss Prevention
- Tools and processes designed to protect the security and integrity of sensitive data.
SASE amplifies many of the benefits offered by SD-WAN. It further streamlines IT infrastructure, consolidating network management and security into a single platform. Its identity-driven approach allows administrators to apply more granular and contextual policies, and its focus on protecting edge devices both reduces latency and represents a needed evolution in network security.
What differentiates the two
Given that SASE integrates SD-WAN, there is considerable overlap. Both virtualize WAN architecture and enable secure access with centralized management. They differ in a few crucial ways.
Choosing between them
At first glance SASE looks like the obvious winner, since it is an evolution of SD-WAN. That does not make it the right option for every business.
When to choose SD-WAN
SD-WAN may be the better choice for organizations that simply need to manage their network infrastructure more efficiently. Organizations with remote access and integrated security tools already in place may also prefer it, since they will not be required to replace any existing tools.
When to choose SASE
Businesses looking to enable remote and hybrid work should choose SASE. It is also the better option for any organization with considerable cloud infrastructure, though it often requires multidisciplinary expertise to manage.
Take the next step with Momentum
Networks are the bedrock of modern business operations, from optimizing performance to securely enabling distributed work. With Momentum, you can optimize your network for maximum performance and cost savings. Our SD-WAN solution is powered by Juniper Mist AI, allowing you to build a flexible, intelligent, and future-proof network for any business application, and we also offer industry-leading SASE through Cato Networks.
