SMOAD Networks

July 4, 2024

SD-WAN for Road Warriors: Empowering Remote Workers with SMOAD secure network

SD-WAN solutions have helped millions across the globe to shift to remote business models without much hassle. The biggest challenge was with employees who were on the move. Earlier organisations had to plan for a mobile workforce using VPNs to access the data centre. As the organisation expanded, more VPNs were added, making it challenging to support. VPN is a traditional method that is unsuitable for the remote or mobile workforce. So, what is best suited for a hybrid environment? Some have moved to cloud-based zero trust network access (ZTNA), and others have moved to SD-WAN. SD-WAN provides work from anywhere to meet the organisation’s needs and enable connectivity and security.

Challenges and opportunities faced by mobile workforce
A centralised dashboard is used to control distributed workers in SD-WAN. Today, organisations can embrace remote work culture thanks to SD-WAN. A secure network is used to connect to different devices using a secure network. The employees can operate while on the move from different locations. This flexible arrangement has many benefits, such as improving work-life balance, cost-effectiveness, and productivity. But, this is not without its challenges.
Mobile workers confront issues like bandwidth constraints, security vulnerabilities, and latency, which is high when the corporate network is accessed. For this reason, SD-WAN is deployed.

Benefits of SD-WAN for mobile workforce
SD-WAN can improve connectivity for the remote and mobile workforce by extending the network edge to remote employees. Before understanding how SD-WAN solutions can help reach remote locations, let’s consider the pros and cons of an organisation’s network edge.
Mobile workers use data-intensive applications to record logs, GPS, etc., requiring robust bandwidth to stay connected with the data centre. This requires an SD-WAN connection to enhance the bandwidth and security. Without SD-WAN, it is not easy to drive deployment. Some may ask if the company has already invested in VPN or ZTNA and why they should invest additionally in SD-WAN migration. VPN is expensive and is strained when it comes to remote connectivity. SD-WAN is easy to deploy and is suitable for a mobile workforce.

Security and SD-WAN for road workers
A good SD-WAN solution should be deployable beyond the branch or home. Users may be working from anywhere, and it is important to find a good SD-WAN solution with good security for an enriched user experience. SD-WAN comes with a host of advantages for mobile connectivity. Workers can get reliable and secure corporate connectivity with SD-WAN as they can tackle the growing bandwidth demands for their latency-sensitive applications.

Mobile workers can rely on cellular connections for collaboration, communication, and real-time data access. Cellular links are enabled from the employees’ personal devices and not from the corporate WAN. SD-WAN technology opens new opportunities. It adds a software layer on top of multiple data transport options. Organisations can use broadband, cellular, fibre internet, or satellite services. The software routes the data across the global hybrid WAN depending on the application requirements and network conditions.

Organisations use cellular services to connect to their mobile workers. Cellular services are also used to backup connectivity during a disruption of the traditional WAN link. Cellular is the best option for temporary connectivity until a primary link in a remote location is provisioned.

True mobility
Organisations are embracing SD-WAN for simplified management, security, and performance, which helps cut costs. SD-WAN gives IT teams superior visibility in distributed enterprises. Adding cellular to your SD-WAN can enhance WAN connectivity for mobile users.
Mobile users find it inconvenient to connect to corporate WAN using traditional solutions like VPNs, especially while using cloud applications or services. Road warriors can reduce latency by directly connecting to cellular internet, which also reduces security risks.

SD-WAN provides centralised authentication and enforcement of policy for cellular connections. It enables integration of layered security control and also provides end-to-end encryption. Some other advantages of SD-WAN for road warriors include traffic shaping applications, WAN optimisation, and adding cellular links for uninterrupted connectivity. The bandwidth is managed and controlled depending on the organisation’s requirements.

SD-WAN can be added via routers, appliances, and gateways when cellular is a temporary or backup connection. SMOAD SD-WAN offers Soft Edge for road users to access the centralised business application securely while on the go. It also enables easy management and protects vulnerable users. Now, mobile users can access the centralised apps irrespective of their location and more while on the move.

To know more, contact us for a demo!