What is SDSN and why it needs to be considered in your IT Roadmap

Software Defined Secure Networking (SDSN) can transform how your entire organisation operates, not just your network.

With on-demand IT and digital services now an integral part of business operations, a secure network and IT roadmap are critical for growth and innovation. Software-defined networks (SDN) opened up the networking market to a new level of flexibility and management, and software-defined secure network (SDSN) technology is building a trusted platform for digital services.

What is a software-defined secure network (SDSN)?

A software-defined secure network (SDSN) is a network platform and services with security embedded as part of the design. Software-defined networks have been available for many years, and network services like VPNs and routing are routinely performed in software.

An SDSN can be applied to rapidly deploy network services across commodity systems and cloud infrastructure while improving the level of access control, encryption and policy management.

SDSN technology is different to traditional hardware-based networking technology in that it can be deployed and controlled at the speed of software. Gone are the long deployment and setup times associated with hardware infrastructure and SDSNs also allow more options when it comes to managing network security – from in-house staff to managed service providers.

The benefits of an SDSN for your business

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of SDSNs and why they need to be in your IT roadmap.

• Building a modern, scalable network and then trying to secure it later with add-on technologies can be extremely costly. SDSNs “flattens” the network architecture and includes a well-defined security posture from the start. This translates to fewer network components and less complexity and maintenance fees.
  
• By design SDSNs are secure, and this is very important given the frequency of cyber-attacks. A cyber-attack can easily knock out a critical business service and – as many high-profile cases have shown – it is better to be prepared than suffer the reputation and commercial damages that come with a data breach.
  
• Network manageability can hold back essential business services and stifle new developments. Networks, especially security services, require constant configuration and updates. With SDSN manageability, can be automated with less risk of errors, which can result in downtime. A good example of this is with the move to more hybrid IT where some services will be hosted on-premises and others with an MSP or in public clouds. An SDSN can be configured to facilitate secure data protection services, regardless of where they are hosted.

Deploying SDSN for a business outcome

In most cases improving security also means improving the organisation’s ability to conduct online commerce and deploy new services with confidence. Specifically, the ROI on an SDSN deployment should relate to consolidating network and security hardware and the associated resources.

It is important to consider the skills required for SDSN are inherently more software related, but there are good options for getting help with an MSP for deployment and management. An MSP can help design a secure network for today’s hybrid architecture and take on an SDSN hosting requirement.

The compelling technical and business case for SDSNs means it should be on your IT roadmap to support change and growth, without compromising security.