Infrastructure security
Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN)
Applies software-defined networking principles to WANs, enabling centralized control and optimization of traffic between cloud resources and branch offices.
Optimizing cloud connectivity for distributed networks
Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) is a networking technology that applies software-defined networking (SDN) concepts to wide area networks (WANs). For cloud security engineers, SD-WAN provides a flexible and efficient approach to managing connectivity between cloud resources, data centers, branch offices, and remote users.
SD-WAN solutions typically offer centralized control and management of network traffic, intelligent path selection across multiple WAN links (such as MPLS, broadband, and cellular), and application-aware routing. This allows organizations to optimize network performance, reduce costs, and improve reliability for cloud-based applications and services.
In cloud environments, SD-WAN plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges of connecting distributed locations and users to cloud resources securely and efficiently. SD-WAN platforms often integrate with cloud security services, such as CASB and ZTNA, to provide comprehensive security for cloud-bound traffic. By implementing SD-WAN, cloud security engineers can enhance network performance for cloud applications, simplify management of complex WANs, and improve the overall security posture of their distributed network infrastructure.
Similar categories
- Secure access service edge (SASE)
- Combines network security with WAN capabilities to provide secure and direct access to cloud services and applications from any location.
- Software-defined networking (SDN)
- Centralizes network control and programmability, enabling dynamic, programmatic network configuration to improve security and performance in cloud environments.
- Next-generation firewall (NGFW)
- Combines traditional firewall capabilities with advanced features like intrusion prevention and application awareness for cloud network security.
- Firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS)
- Provides cloud-based network security, offering firewall capabilities as a service to protect distributed networks and cloud resources from threats.