The rapid evolution of work models and security requirements has prompted questions about the relevance of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology. In their insightful report, ‘Is SD-WAN Dead?’ Jonathan Forest and Andrew Lerner of Gartner explore these dynamics, concluding that while SD-WAN is far from obsolete, its role is shifting.
Teneo, having worked with SD-WAN technology for the past 11 years, has seen these evolutions before and continues to help customers identify the right networking model for them.
Our customers need to continually adapt to increasingly distributed workforces, changing the need for traditional, full-featured SD-WAN solutions, particularly for remote-only users. The trend towards “coffee shop networking” highlights this shift. Many organizations are now favoring lighter-weight, cost-effective SD-WAN solutions that cater to hybrid work environments where employees access applications from diverse locations. This model prioritizes ease of use and cloud-based application access over the comprehensive feature sets of earlier SD-WAN implementations. However, it looks to maintain a full security stack, often in the form of a Secure Service Edge (SSE) solution.
Despite these changes, SD-WAN remains crucial for many enterprises, particularly those with branch offices supporting critical applications in sectors like retail, healthcare, and manufacturing. These environments demand high availability, dynamic traffic management, and robust performance to support mission-critical operations and IoT devices, primarily driven by solutions that integrate security capabilities such as Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and Security Service Edge (SSE).
We believe the future of SD-WAN lies in its integration with broader security frameworks like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) or the ‘Defence in Depth’ Model. This integration addresses the growing need for secure, flexible connectivity solutions that support both on-premise and cloud-based applications while maintaining a strong cyber defense posture.
SD-WAN will continue to be essential for organizations requiring high availability, performance optimization, and simplified multi-cloud connectivity. We have seen that many organizations are taking a ‘mix and match’ approach. Essentially, it is about having the right connectivity and security solution for each use case, while balancing this against the total cost of ownership (TCO) and ease of management. This is where Teneo brings its experience to support you in making the best choice.
In conclusion, SD-WAN is not dead but is continuing to evolve. Its functionality is becoming part of more comprehensive security and connectivity solutions, ensuring it remains relevant in the face of changing enterprise needs and technological advancements. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of hybrid work and distributed networks, SD-WAN will play a pivotal role in delivering secure, efficient, and reliable network performance
To find out how SD-WAN, SSE or SASE could benefit your organization, get in touch today.
Author: Brett Ayres, VP of Product, Teneo
