Choosing the right SD-WAN or SASE solution isn’t just about selecting the provider with the most features—it’s about ensuring the platform integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure and aligns with your long-term business strategy.
By asking these key questions, you can identify a secure, scalable, and high-performance solution that meets your organization’s needs—without hidden costs or unexpected limitations.
1. How Well Does the Solution Integrate with Our Existing Infrastructure?
A next-generation SD-WAN or SASE platform should seamlessly integrate with your current network architecture, security framework, and cloud environments. Ensure it works with existing firewalls, VPNs, identity access management (IAM) tools, and major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
2. What Security Features Are Included Out-of-the-Box?
A robust SASE solution should incorporate essential security components such as:
- Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN)
- Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Ensure these features are included natively, not as costly add-ons.
3. How Does the Solution Handle Scalability?
Your SD-WAN/SASE solution should scale effortlessly across locations and users, both domestically and globally. Verify if key security and networking functions (like traffic inspection, encryption, and threat protection) remain consistent across all PoPs (Points of Presence) and cloud regions.
4. What Level of Visibility and Control Do We Have Over Network Traffic?
Look for centralized management, deep analytics, and real-time monitoring to maintain full control over your network traffic, security posture, and application performance. A good SASE solution should offer an intuitive management portal with AI-driven insights to streamline operations.
5. Does the Provider Offer Integrated Threat Intelligence and Real-Time Protection?
Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Your SASE platform should leverage:
- AI-driven threat intelligence
- Real-time anomaly detection
- Automated response mechanisms
Ensure the provider has a proactive approach to cybersecurity, using machine learning and threat intelligence feeds to prevent malware, phishing, and zero-day attacks.
6. How Does the SASE Solution Ensure Data Privacy and Compliance?
Security and compliance go hand in hand. Ensure the platform supports industry standards like:
- GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS
- FISMA, FedRAMP, and regional data sovereignty laws
Ask about data encryption, access controls, and policy-based governance to safeguard sensitive information.
7. What Is the Performance Like for Remote and Mobile Users?
An effective SASE solution should optimize performance for remote workers, hybrid teams, and branch offices. Evaluate:
- Latency and jitter across multiple locations
- Uptime and SLA guarantees
- User experience across mobile, desktop, and IoT devices
8. Can the Solution Support Multiple Cloud and IaaS Environments?
Your SASE/SD-WAN provider should be cloud-agnostic or integrate seamlessly with major cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Ensure consistent security policies across on-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
9. What Support and SLAs Does the Provider Offer?
Strong customer support and clear SLAs are critical for maintaining network uptime and security. Look for:
- 24/7 support with rapid response times
- US-based account managers
- Performance and uptime guarantees in SLAs
10. What Are the Total Costs, Including Hidden Fees?
Beyond the base price, analyze the total cost of ownership (TCO), including:
- SD-WAN, FWaaS, SWG, CASB, ZTNA, and DLP pricing
- Bandwidth costs and cloud egress fees
- Portal access, management, and analytics costs
- Deployment, integration, and ongoing maintenance fees
Find the Right SD-WAN/SASE Solution with Technology Navigation
Choosing a secure and scalable SD-WAN or SASE platform is a complex process—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Technology Navigation, we help businesses evaluate and implement best-fit networking solutions tailored to their security, performance, and cost requirements. Contact us today to ensure a seamless SD-WAN/SASE transition with expert guidance.