Why securing SD-WAN is the key to leveraging 5G safely and efficiently

Several companies are beginning to anticipate the potential that 5G networks will create by studying successful technologies and applications beyond the Internet of Things (IoT) and video streaming.

The dramatically increased speeds offered by 5G will make bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality and AI well within the reach of organizations. However, to prepare effectively for these new technologies, organizations need to put the next generation of networking solutions in place.

Australia is rolling out 5G in a big way, and the potential opportunities and benefits cannot be overstated. Full adoption will depend on the availability of 5G equipment and adoption of applications requiring 5G level performance.

Before organizations introduce 5G, they need to consider the security implications. Faster speeds for legitimate traffic will also mean faster speeds for attackers, so it is essential to implement secure network solutions that will allow businesses to make full use of 5G without introducing unnecessary security risks.

Since 5G adoption is expected to be relatively gradual, organizations will likely have a variety of devices and connections that are still in use for some time. Managing this complexity requires some kind of smart solution that can make decisions at the network or connectivity level, and manage edge and IoT devices based on application performance requirements. Software-driven secure wide area networks (SD-WANs) have become the ideal solution for these needs.

Manages secure SD-WAN network traffic so that applications that are most important to the organization are prioritized to minimize downtime or disruption. Traditional edge-based routers cannot cope with the connectivity complexity inherent in modern computing environments. Secure SD-WAN is designed to support and manage 5G connections and simplify network complexity.

Because SD-WAN manages and prioritizes traffic based on defined rules, it can help businesses maximize the value of 5G by ensuring that the applications that really need super-fast speeds get access to them. Will perform as expected. Meanwhile, less bandwidth-hungry or mission-critical applications may be directed to slower connectivity options, as this will not negatively affect the user experience.

Secure SD-WAN can also handle ever-changing environments in real time, requiring organizations to make changes to their networks for customizable results.

It’s important to note that not all SD-WAN solutions include built-in security from the start; Those who view security as an afterthought may expose the organization to potential risks. However, a secure SD-WAN solution can support 5G speeds without disrupting business-critical communications or opening security holes.

Security needs to act fast enough to match 5G. Active monitoring of all traffic can slow down the performance of the next generation of firewalls. It is therefore essential to choose a solution specifically designed to enable 5G performance and critical security functions.

Relying on the basic security features of 5G networking solutions is not enough; Organizations should implement integrated end-to-end security to protect themselves from the growing threat landscape.

Secure SD-WAN already provides significant network benefits for businesses at all levels, especially those with branch offices and remote workers. Now by implementing a secure SD-WAN solution, organizations can prepare for the new world that 5G will enable.