Page 39 - Cyber Defense eMagazine August 2023
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Will Zero Trust Replace SD-WAN?
By Jaye Tillson, Director of Strategy, Axis Security
A question I get asked frequently is, “Will zero trust replace SD-WAN?”. Let's take a deeper look at both
and assess their compatibility and potential to coexist or replace each other.
In today's digital landscape of the hybrid worker, organizations are constantly seeking robust and secure
network solutions to meet their ever-evolving requirements. Data, services, systems, users, and their
devices are now everywhere and two prominent approaches to assist with this world of access complexity
have gained traction. They are Zero Trust and Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN).
Over the years SD-WAN has proven its value in optimizing network performance, there is a growing
discussion in our industry about whether Zero Trust will eventually replace SD-WAN as the preferred
network architecture of choice.
Understanding SD-WAN:
SD-WAN is a technology that allows organizations to connect and manage various types of networks,
including MPLS, broadband, and cellular, through software-defined control and centralized management.
It enables organizations to improve network performance, enhance security, and reduce costs by
intelligently routing traffic based on application, bandwidth requirements, and network conditions. SD-
Cyber Defense eMagazine – August 2023 Edition 39
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