Secure and Simplify SD-Branch Networks

Secure and seamless branch network management is critical in today's IoT-driven, cloud-centric world. A unified SD-Branch solution offers the much-needed convergence of networking and security to tackle modern-day challenges.

- Vivek Srivastava

Today’s branch office networks are being asked to deliver more and beyond what they are capable of. Digital transformation initiatives, SaaS adoption, and the rapid growth of IoT devices have strained branch office networking infrastructure while expanding the attack surface. It’s not easy for a branch network to keep up with performance demands while securing everything connected. As a result, fast-growing branch networks tend to lack visibility and centralized management, leaving security gaps, inconsistent policy, and misconfiguration risks.

IOT’S UNIQUE CHALLENGES

Numerous IoT devices, particularly connected office appliances and employee-owned smart devices join the network, often without security and unreliable visibility. These devices typically lack built-in security, and they are headless and not easy to patch. To make things more difficult, many IoT devices are added to the network without the knowledge of IT or security teams, posing a significant challenge to branch security. Unfortunately, branch solutions are typically not integrated and lack the key capabilities needed to address the lack of security and visibility that IoT devices present. Without comprehensive and centralized IoT device visibility, branches and by extension, the broader organization are vulnerable to attacks.

FAST-GROWING BRANCH NETWORKS TEND TO LACK VISIBILITY AND CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT, LEAVING SECURITY GAPS, INCONSISTENT POLICY, AND MISCONFIGURATION RISKS.