"Our unified network fabric allows for effective first-mile monitoring"

As enterprises navigate the evolving landscape of connectivity, traditional SD-WAN architectures are no longer enough. Enter SD-WAN 3.0 — a smarter, cloud-native, Al-powered evolution that blends observability, zero-trust security, digital twins, and outcome-driven orchestration. Leading this shift is Andrew Winney, General Manager and Global Head of SASE Business at Tata Communications, who is steering the company’s global product management and innovation strategy across SD-WAN, SASE, and SSE portfolios.

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In this insightful conversation with Pratima Harigunani, he decodes why SD-WAN 3.0 is more than just a buzzword. He discusses the convergence of secure networking and cloud-delivered security, the growing role of GenAl in network operations, and how software-defined architectures are making security an intrinsic part of the architecture, not an afterthought. From digital twins to space-based WANs, he lays out a compelling vision for future-ready enterprise networks.

How is SD-WAN 3.0 different from earlier SD-WAN approaches, SASE, SSE, SWG, NDR, and ZTNA architectures?

SD-WAN 3.0 represents a point of convergence. As enterprises transition toward the second generation of SD-WAN, they must look beyond a simple evolution from SD-WAN 1.0 to 2.0. Two key characteristics define SD-WAN 3.0. First, it is SASE-first, as it unifies secure SD-WAN with cloud-delivered security solutions, including SWG, ZTNA, CASB, and DLP. As enterprises increasingly operate in a hybrid model of private applications and SaaS platforms, a comprehensive solution is necessary to ensure secure access and protect data assets. SD-WAN 3.0 is intelligent, self-optimising, and purpose-built to meet complex enterprise outcomes by leveraging the telemetry generated across these integrated technologies.

How does SD-WAN 3.0 achieve this?