Navigating the SD-WAN Firewall Landscape: Trends and Insights

The graphic provided sheds light on the current landscape of SD-WAN firewalls, revealing the various approaches organizations are taking to secure their networks. Let's delve into these trends and understand what they mean for your business.

1. 22% of Organizations are Integrating 3rd Party Cloud Firewalls with SD-WAN
A significant portion of organizations (22%) are currently integrating third-party cloud firewalls with their SD-WAN deployments. This approach allows businesses to leverage the advanced security features offered by specialized firewall providers while benefiting from the flexibility and efficiency of SD-WAN.

Key Considerations:
Customization: Third-party cloud firewalls often provide a higher degree of customization, allowing organizations to tailor their security policies to specific needs.
Advanced Features: These firewalls may offer advanced threat protection, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and other features that complement the security capabilities of native SD-WAN firewalls.
Vendor Relationships: Organizations may continue using trusted firewall vendors they have relied on for years, ensuring continuity in their security strategy.
While this approach offers flexibility, it can also introduce complexity in terms of management and integration, especially if the SD-WAN solution and the firewall are not fully compatible or seamlessly integrated.

2. 43% are Transitioning from CPE-Based Firewalls to Native SD-WAN Cloud Firewalls
The largest segment of organizations (43%) is currently in the process of transitioning from traditional Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)-based firewalls to native SD-WAN cloud firewalls. This trend reflects a growing preference for cloud-native security solutions that are fully integrated with SD-WAN architectures.

Key Advantages:
Simplified Management: Native SD-WAN firewalls are managed through the same platform as the SD-WAN, reducing the complexity of network management.
Cost-Effectiveness: Eliminating the need for separate CPE devices can reduce both capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx).
Scalability: Cloud-based firewalls scale more easily than hardware-based solutions, allowing organizations to adapt quickly to changing network demands.
This transition underscores the industry's shift towards a more streamlined, cloud-centric approach to network security, where agility and ease of management are prioritized.

3. 11% Currently Use Both CPE and SD-WAN Cloud Firewalls
A smaller segment (11%) of organizations are adopting a hybrid approach, using both CPE-based firewalls and SD-WAN cloud firewalls. This strategy may be driven by the need to maintain a high level of security during the transition to SD-WAN or to address specific use cases where both types of firewalls are necessary.

Potential Use Cases:
Layered Security: Organizations may employ CPE firewalls for on-premises security while using SD-WAN cloud firewalls for remote or branch locations, ensuring comprehensive protection across the network.
Gradual Transition: This hybrid approach allows organizations to gradually transition to a full SD-WAN cloud firewall solution without disrupting existing security operations.
While this dual approach offers flexibility, it can also increase the complexity of managing multiple security layers and ensuring consistent policy enforcement across all environments.

4. 24% Only Use CPE-Based Firewalls
Interestingly, 24% of organizations are still relying exclusively on CPE-based firewalls. These businesses may prioritize on-premises security appliances due to specific regulatory requirements, legacy infrastructure, or concerns about cloud security.

Considerations for CPE-Based Firewalls:
Regulatory Compliance: In industries with strict data protection regulations, CPE firewalls may be necessary to ensure compliance.
Performance: Some organizations may prefer the performance and control offered by on-premises firewalls, especially for mission-critical applications.
Legacy Systems: Businesses with significant investments in existing CPE infrastructure may choose to maintain their current setup rather than adopting cloud-based solutions.
While CPE-based firewalls provide robust security, they lack the flexibility and scalability of cloud-native solutions, potentially limiting an organization's ability to adapt to changing network demands.

Conclusion
The SD-WAN firewall landscape is evolving as organizations navigate the balance between security, performance, and cost. The trend towards cloud-native SD-WAN firewalls reflects the broader shift to cloud-first strategies, driven by the need for agility, scalability, and simplified management.

As your organization considers its approach to SD-WAN security, it's important to weigh the benefits and challenges of each option. Whether you opt for third-party cloud firewalls, native SD-WAN firewalls, or a hybrid model, the key is to ensure that your network remains secure, resilient, and adaptable to future demands.

Understanding these trends and how they align with your business objectives will help you make informed decisions that enhance your network's security posture while maximizing the value of your SD-WAN investment.