SASE vs. SD-WAN

In today’s fast-moving digital world, many businesses use cloud-based applications, and employees often work remotely. This change has shown the limits of traditional network systems, which were designed for office-based work. As a result, two key technologies have become popular, SD-WAN and SASE.

What is SASE?

SASE, which stands for Secure Access Service Edge, is a modern framework designed to deliver network security and networking capabilities directly from the cloud.

SASE selects the best path for traffic while integrating essential security functions (such as firewalls and security checks) into a single, cloud-based platform. In the past, all internet traffic had to be routed back to a company’s central data centre for security inspection. SASE changes this by moving security and networking processes to the cloud edge, carrying out checks at the point closest to the user, wherever they may be.

The primary goal of SASE is to ensure that users, regardless of their device or location, get fast and secure access to the applications and data they need. Whether those applications reside in a public cloud, private cloud, or the company’s own infrastructure.

What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN stands for Software-Defined Wide Area Network. SD-WAN is a smart upgrade that uses software to control the network. It moves away from the complete reliance on expensive, specialized networking hardware and connections.

SD-WAN is designed to be a smarter, faster, and more cost-effective way to connect your various network locations to the applications they require, especially cloud-based ones. It leverages multiple, lower-cost links simultaneously, such as standard broadband or cellular, rather than being restricted to a single network type.

SD-WAN continuously monitors all available connections and automatically selects the best path for each type of traffic. For instance, a voice call might go over the clearest, fastest link, while a large file download uses the next best available connection. IT teams can manage and set network rules for all locations from a single, central interface, significantly simplifying operations. It ensures that critical, real-time applications (like video conferencing or cloud applications) consistently receive the performance and reliability they demand.

The Key Differences: SASE vs. SD-WAN

While both technologies aim to improve network performance and security, their primary focus and scope differ significantly.

In Conclusion

Think of SD-WAN as a critical component, the “smart roads” of your network infrastructure. SASE, on the other hand, represents the entire secure highway system. It incorporates those smart roads but adds all the necessary security measures, identity verification, and access controls at every point of entry.

For businesses navigating the complexities of hybrid workforces and cloud-first strategies, understanding the distinction between SD-WAN and SASE is crucial for building a resilient, secure, and high-performing network. SASE is often seen as the evolution, building upon the capabilities of SD-WAN to offer a more holistic and cloud-native approach to securing and connecting today’s distributed enterprises.

To discuss how a modern architecture like SASE, using technologies like HPE Aruba Networking SD-WAN, can streamline your IT infrastructure and security.