Complexity at branch locations is the primary factor that makes securing and managing WAN a major struggle for organizations.
Versa Networks has issued the results of a Dimensional Research survey that reveals that nearly all participants stated that maintaining security policies and practices, network devices and complexity due to cloud and mobile applications are the most difficult aspects of managing the WAN.
This complexity is exacerbated by the number of physical network and security devices respondents have to manage in a typical branch. At branch offices, 66% of respondents have to manage six+ networking devices per site. A full 88% of respondents say these devices are from multiple vendors at each office.
Yet, less than a quarter of those surveyed have a project plan to simplify and consolidate the branch network and security device sprawl.
But it’s not just complexity that’s the bugbear here. Almost all (97%) said they face multiple challenges to managing their WAN. Aside from managing multiple network and security devices at branch locations, mitigating information security risks at branch locations and deploying new network and security solutions at branch locations top the list.
More than one third of companies fail to have proper security measures at branch locations, and 76% have no immediate plans to fix the issue.
In terms of specific security concerns, networking professionals struggle primarily with maintaining security policies, managing multiple network devices and controlling sensitive information.
A possible solution may in the form of software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and security (SD-Security). A full 80% of respondents would prefer an integrated SD-WAN and security solution. Participants also expect that a managed service approach could reduce tasks, costs and save resources: Nearly 6 out 10 companies would consider SD-WAN managed service offering.
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