The modern, cloud-centric business model has become the norm and requires networks that are both reliable and secure. But widescale cloud adoption has substantially altered network traffic patterns, creating serious data security implications. It is forcing organizations to change how they structure their IT environments. They have to reimagine what data security means in environments in which cloud-based services and applications, IoT/IIoT and edge gateways are mainstays.
SD-WANs have a key role in moving the traffic across broadband internet and into the cloud. It has been touted as a secure network option for organizations that are becoming more cloud-based. While SD-WANs can provide a number of benefits, there are risks if the data they are moving does not have the right end-to-end encryption.
SD-WANS CONNECT DIRECTLY TO THE CLOUD
An SD-WAN is an abstract layer that can extend a WAN to multiple clouds, connecting remote sites (and users) to distributed networks. This is not something that can be accomplished efficiently in any way with a traditional WAN. WANs have a hub-and-spoke architecture that is more suited for handling connections that flow back to a single, central data center via MPLS lines. Even more importantly, they are not scalable. Delays will occur when sending increased volumes of WAN traffic to a data center for inspection, analysis, and filtering before having to redirect that data to internet cloud applications. This results in complications like spikes in latency, increased MPLS costs, bandwidth inefficiencies and impaired application performances. There are also certain hardware required at each end of a WAN in order to have complete connections. WANs are not a feasible option for organizations with remote employees that require access to multiple cloud resources.
The architecture of SD-WANs has adapted with the spread of cloud services by separating software from hardware, creating a virtualized network. An SD-WAN sits on top of a WAN connection, abstracting control into the software layer. This means it can completely support applications hosted in private or public clouds, on-site data centers, SaaS services, etc., making direct internet connections with these resources. The network overlay it creates automates the processes that are usually executed manually on the edge devices. It facilitates communication with all network endpoints without requiring the use of additional protocols or external mechanisms.
Moving control to the software layer gives SD-WANs key capabilities, including:
Virtualization of WAN connections
Centralized policy oversight
The ability to execute granular control over traffic using factors like priority policies
From a security standpoint, the ability to prioritize network traffic is important. For example, by basing traffic prioritization on use policies, SD-WANs can optimize connections, whether they are wireless, broadband or MPLS, based on real-time factors, and isolate pathways that contain sensitive data.
SD-WANs provide critical advantages for organizations, especially those with IoT or IIoT implementations:
Network costs and complexity are minimized because of the reduced quantity of network devices and connections required at a site.
Flexibility for launching new services and applications increases.
CAN SD-WANS KEEP DATA SAFE?
SD-WAN security should be a priority for vendors, especially as more and more use cases can be found for the technology. Unsecured IoT devices and endpoints, unencrypted network links and unsecured cloud platforms are just a few of the risks that pose a danger to the data traveling on SD-WANs.
To protect data, the SD-WAN architecture uses encryption, authentication and virtualized security tools to secure the network. Many software-defined networking solutions have 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption as well as IPsec VPN capabilities.
SD-WAN REQUIRES QUANTUM-SAFE END-TO-END ENCRYPTION
Any encryption solution used for SD-WAN should provide end-to-end protection and do so without compromising network and application performance. SD-WAN vendors can improve their offerings by employing quantum-safe encryption and network protocol security capabilities in their products.
XSOC CORP’s cybersecurity and cryptographic solutions are compatible with existing SD-WAN architectures. They are also optimized for OEM. This means that SD-WAN vendors can offer their products with quantum-safe encryption that can be deployed across multiple layers of the OSI model:
XSOC’s WAN-SOCKET Platform operates at layers 2 and 3 providing end-to-end encryption and increase security for VPNs and the public cloud.
XSOC’s EBP operates at layers 4, 5 and 6.
In addition to provide hardened encryption, XSOC’s solutions are also ideal for SD-WANs as they have to ability to scale quickly as needed. Deployment of the solutions is simplified with plug-ins and extensions or API protocols.
XSOC PROVIDES ENCRYPTION CAPABILITY FOR NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Organizations are tasked with using the technologies necessary to help with digital transformation and to do so while ensuring that their sensitive data remains fully protected. Encryption capabilities offered in technologies like SD-WANs should be quantum-safe and easily integrated. At XSOC CORP, we can ensure that your product’s encryption capabilities are strong enough to deter current and future cyber threats to your data. Contact us to learn how our cryptography and encryption solutions can help your clients use your products with the assurance that their data has the strongest encryption protection.
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