While cost savings may have been a compelling factor to switch from legacy hub-and-spoke architecture to a modern networking environment, a true game changer emerged as business began migrating applications and data to the cloud.

As SD-WAN technology began to advance, organizations recognized the transformative impact it had on increasing application performance, reliability and data security. These include:

1. Application optimization
2. Direct-to-cloud connectivity
3. Increased security
4. Enhanced user experience

Let’s dive into the four reasons why SD-WAN overtook MPLS:

Application optimization

SD-WAN redefines networking by prioritizing applications. Unlike MPLS, which routes traffic through predetermined paths, SD-WAN efficiently and dynamically directs traffic based on application specific requirements in real time. By intelligently prioritizing critical data, SD-WAN maximizes bandwidth utilization and increased productivity while maintaining data integrity.

Direct-to-cloud connectivity

The proliferation of cloud-based applications and software-as-a-service models have made MPLS limitations more apparent. SD-WAN enables direct-to-cloud connectivity to cloud services, bypassing the need to route traffic to a datacenter. SD-WAN improves overall speed and efficiency in accessing cloud applications from anywhere at any time. The direct path also reduces potential security vulnerabilities inherent in routing data through multiple intermediaries.

Increased security

SD-WAN offers advanced security capabilities that are critical in today’s cyber environment, with features such as encryption, segmentation and threat detection capabilities. By encrypting data traffic and implementing granular access control, SD-WAN security features mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, increasing overall network security.

Enhanced user experience

Applications and data drive business productivity. SD-WAN’s application-centric approach delivers enhanced user experience by optimizing application performance across geographically dispersed locations. Users benefit from a faster and reliable access to critical tools fostering productivity and collaboration.

Securing valuable data while modernizing networks requires a balance of efficiency and security measures. That is why organizations worldwide have relied on Forcepoint to navigate this delicate environment. Here are just a few capabilities Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN can deliver to your organization.

• Enterprise grade security: Advanced threat detection, industry leading-IPS technology, encryption, and anti-evasion technology
• Direct cloud connectivity: Seamless connection to private, public and hybrid cloud environment for enhanced application performance
• Multiple deployment options: From physical to virtual, providing flexibility and easy management from a single console.
• Uninterrupted operations: Multi-Link™ technology ensures continuous operation and safeguards against downtime with multiple redundancies and automated failover systems.

AMDP’s integration with Forcepoint’s FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN and Web Secure Gateway (SWG) solutions boosts organizations’ security posture. The seamless integration with these solutions streamlines deployment, configuration, and management processes, offering organizations a unified security environment. Moreover, Forcepoint's collective Threat Intelligence ensures that information about newly detected malware is quickly shared across its product portfolio, this approach equips security professionals with real time insights, enabling them to strengthen defenses against both existing and future threats. AMDP goes beyond conventional static analysis-based solutions, effectively detecting the most evasive advanced malware and zero-day threats making it a key component of a comprehensive security strategy. 

For a deeper dive visit the FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN product page and download your free copy of the SD-WAN Buyer's Guide.