Your organisation is ready to begin its migration to SD-WAN. You have determined what kind of solution best fits your current situation. But how do you know that what you’ve chosen doesn’t compromise the cybersecurity environment of your business?
We’ve shortlisted the top security considerations to be aware of when evaluating this last and critical part of your decision-making process.
It’s not uncommon for organisations to have slim budgets and stretched resources. Undertaking an audit of your network will illustrate clearly where your vulnerabilities lie. You can effectively prioritise them by reducing the overall risk to your organisation as you embark on new initiatives.
Out-of-the-box solutions are perfect for quick and easy deployment but don’t assume that the built-in security features fully cover you. A multi-layered approach is recommended. And again, being aware of the gaps in the solution’s security will ensure you effectively select supporting technologies to fill them.
Building on the theme of assumptions, it would be foolish to simply deploy a zero-touch solution. Consider running a proof of concept or a lab with your vendor or service provider to ensure that the pre-configurations are in line with your network, security policies and controls. This both reduces risk and interrupting business operations.
User data is the crown jewel we are all working to protect. It’s crucial to think about the controls you put in place around data plane security (the user traffic on your network, which needs to be encrypted).
Again, vendors include their ideal encryption methods but that might not be enough. Encryption is in a constant state of change, so you need to diversify your approach; don’t simply check a box. Not to mention, if you are switching from one vendor to another, ensure the coded language of your policies and controls are the same. If it isn’t, you need to factor in a step in your migration plan that both translates and tests the new tech.
There is no silver bullet solution, but a considered risk-first approach transforms your cybersecurity posture into a business transformation enabler, and sets your network up for improved performance, increased visibility, and seamless scalability. Watch your business grow with peace of mind.
