Software-defined wide-area networking (SDWAN) can provide more flexibility, scalability, and performance in cloud, virtual, edge and branch IT environments. However, digital transformation brings new security threats that organizations need to consider. SD-WAN solutions build secure tunnels that are dynamically created by using internet protocol security (IPSec) or other specific network protocols that protect the data that is transmitted through the network. This protects privacy and data integrity across all devices, users as well as branch office locations. Network Security Network security is described as broad term that covers the use of a range of software and hardware solutions procedures, rules, and processes to guard computers' networks and data against threats. These solutions can be used for everything from securing access to networks, to protecting intellectual property. They can also aid in stopping breaches or malicious attacks. Networks are an important aspect of business and they need to be secure to keep the data that consumers and businesses depend on safe. This includes securing PII (personal identifiable data) from being leaked and protected, protecting intellectual property rights and keeping network data and systems running at high performance levels. The way a network is managed and maintained determines its security. It should be able to detect and respond quickly to any threat prior to it causes harm or spreads throughout the network. Network security is typically managed by an IT department, or a specific group of people. They develop policies and strategies that ensure the security of a network and is in compliance with security standards and regulations. A properly maintained can be protected from security threats such as viruses and malware. It can help to identify weaknesses within the system so they don't spread or cause damage. Another type of network security is access control. Access control allows only authorized users to access the network. It can also limit access to specific software or systems for specific users. Security relies on access control and security technology. These programs are continuously checked to make sure they operate correctly and aren't susceptible to attack by hackers. These programs protect against malware, phishing, email attachments that are malicious and other attempts to steal confidential information. Furthermore, many companies use a form of two-factor authentication when logging in to their networks. This is a mix of passwords as well as an additional code that is generated when a user logs into. Security Policy Management Security Policy Management is an essential element of any enterprise business. It makes sure that sensitive data is protected within your network. This will help lower the risk of cyberattacks and other types of threats. IT teams design and implement security policies. They then distribute them across the network. This cuts down on the time required to develop and disseminate security settings and rules, and makes it much easier to implement the rules. This means that the security policy of your enterprise must be flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs of those that use it. This is particularly true if your network is used for cloud access or mobile access. These types of applications come with their own security requirements. It is good news that SD-WAN offers several solutions to tackle this issue. One of them is that you can use a security service that can be deployed near the edges of the network to provide an additional level of security. This is achieved via a method known as IPsec, which offers end-to-end security for every network connection at the edges of the network. Second, you can also implement a secure internet gateway that will block web-based threats like malware, botnets and various other attacks on the web. They will be prevented from gaining unauthorized access to the network. Otherwise, they could compromise sensitive information or even introduce new malware. Third, you can deploy an intrusion prevention system (IPS) that analyzes the flow of traffic and create alerts to help detect suspicious activities on the network. This security feature can be used in conjunction with URL filtering, as well as other WAN edge security features. These security features are able in making the WAN more secure and protect your company from external and internal threats. These security features can protect your company from cyberattacks, interruptions, and ultimately boost the profits and revenue. In addition it is crucial to note that a successful SD-WAN solution must have an unifying security platform. The platform must allow the integration of security and networking capabilities. Many businesses have difficulty doing this using traditional solutions. Network Access Control Network access control (or NAC) is a security measure that controls who can connect to the company's network and what they can do once they're connected. It is an essential element of security since it shields networks from cyberattacks that target unauthorized users and devices. NAC follows the principle of least privilege in order to make sure only users who are authorized are granted access to networks. For this reason, it is an essential component of any organization's security plan. The key to success in NAC implementation is to ensure that you have an understanding of your network and how it is utilized. This can be done by checking how devices and users connect to the network, and the resources they're using. It is also possible to implement policies-based NAC to help you ensure that users and devices have access only to the network resources they need. This is a cheaper solution than manually controlling how each user can use the network. Policy-based NAC systems employ a centrally controlled policy server that determines whether devices can be connected to the network. This makes it possible for administrators to quickly make changes without having to patch each device individually. This NAC solution is considered out-of-band. It's not part of the traffic flow between the devices on your endpoints as well as your network infrastructure. This is advantageous in terms of scalability and flexibility however, it could also lead to performance issues if things go wrong. Inline is a different type of NAC solution that integrates into traffic. This is particularly beneficial in larger networks where the amount of devices are high. The correct NAC solution will prevent devices that don't meet the company's security standards from being connected to your network, and also detect devices already connected and allow you to remove them. This can be especially important for businesses that have a significant amount of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) devices. The most effective NAC solutions provide a range of options, including threat intelligence, policy enforcement, and malware detection. These features are vital to any security plan of any business and are able to be utilized against both internal as well as external threats. Network Firewall Network firewalls are security devices that help to protect enterprise-level companies from threats external to their operations. These threats include ransomware, phishing, and viruses. These risks are a major concern for businesses today and require constant advancement in cybersecurity solutions to avoid these problems. A firewall basically filters all traffic entering and out of a computer network using packet header information to determine whether it is legitimate or not. If the rules aren't observed by the network administrator, the firewall blocks traffic. There are many types of firewalls, which include hardware and software firewalls. Both are available for purchase by your business, depending on the amount of security you require. A firewall software is typically a component of a router, or other network device. Software firewall performs a range of functions , such as monitoring of network traffic as well as firewall rule management and many more features. Some firewalls utilize the pass/fail method to either approve or disallow traffic, while others can only identify the IP address or port on which the packet is arriving from. These firewalls can also be used to look at the information contained in packets to identify the source of the data. They can be incorporated in a security policy of an organization in certain situations to monitor and detect threats before they cause problems. They can be used to stop access to websites or programs that are not classified as safe by the company. Employers with numerous remote workers must ensure that the security of their internet connection. It is good to know that SD-WAN can make this easier. SD-WAN allows for the separation of networks by using micro-segments to send half the gigabits through firewalls and the remaining half straight to the Internet, making it much harder for a cyber threat to attack all traffic on the internet. A secure web gateway could be incorporated into an SD-WAN architecture to check remote web browsing in real-time and block any malicious threats. This can be done through the cloudand can help to improve overall security, by decreasing the chance of a security breach. These are the best options for managed SDWAN security services. Halo Global