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SD-WAN vs SASE for a Hybrid Workforce

How SD-WAN and SASE Empower Hybrid Workforces

How Managed SD-WAN and SASE Deliver Secure, Flexible Connectivity for Hybrid Work

Enterprises with hybrid workforces need network solutions that offer agility, reliability, and security as employees work from offices, homes, and remote sites. Traditional MPLS networks and VPNs can be too rigid and costly in this world of SaaS applications and remote users. Modern architectures like SD‑WAN and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) address these needs in complementary ways. In this article, we explain what SD‑WAN and SASE are, how each supports hybrid work, and how they compare. We also highlight key features of managed SD‑WAN services and how choosing the right SD‑WAN or SASE provider can future‑proof your network. Finally, learn why working with Digital Carbon’s experts can help your enterprise optimise connectivity and security.

What Is SD-WAN and Why It Matters

SD‑WAN (Software‑Defined Wide Area Network) is a network overlay technology that abstracts network connectivity and control into software. Instead of relying on costly fixed circuits (like MPLS) or unmanaged Internet links, SD‑WAN lets enterprises use any mix of broadband, LTE/5G, and even satellite links to connect sites. It automatically steers traffic over the best path based on real‑time link quality. For example, VeloCloud SD‑WAN Edge can aggregate multiple links (cable, DSL, 4G/5G, satellite) and use “Dynamic Multipath Optimization” to route voice, video, and data across the optimal paths.

This software‑driven approach provides several advantages for hybrid work:


  • Flexible Connectivity: Branches and home offices can be provisioned quickly using local broadband or wireless connections. A managed SD‑WAN edge device can be zero‑touch deployed – just plug it in and it automatically connects to the cloud controller with no manual config.

 

  • Intelligent Traffic Steering: SD‑WAN continuously monitors each link and applies policies so that critical applications (e.g. VoIP, video conferencing, ERP) use the lowest‑latency path. If a link degrades, traffic shifts to a better link seamlessly, ensuring consistent application performance.

 

  • High Reliability: By aggregating multiple inexpensive links (including broadband and LTE/5G), SD‑WAN creates a virtual high‑bandwidth “pipe.” If one link fails, others keep traffic flowing. Digital Carbon’s managed SD‑WAN, for example, can combine several 4G/5G links into a secure, high‑speed WAN for critical applications.

 

  • Centralized Control: All sites – whether headquarters, branches, or remote workers – are managed through a cloud orchestration portal. Administrators set global business policies (for routing, QoS, security, etc.) from a single console. VeloCloud’s cloud‑based SD‑WAN Orchestrator can apply one‑click business policies across thousands of sites and give visibility into each site’s performance.

 

  • Application Performance: SD‑WAN recognizes thousands of applications and can apply app‑aware QoS. For instance, Digital Carbon’s managed SD‑WAN provides granular control for over 3,200 applications, so voice and video get priority and maintain quality.

 

  • Cost Efficiency: SD‑WAN allows a mix of links. Enterprises can reduce expensive MPLS use by offloading internet and cloud traffic to broadband or 5G, without sacrificing reliability. The virtual overlay makes multiple low‑cost links behave like an enterprise network.

 

In short, SD‑WAN improves connectivity for hybrid work by boosting speed, reliability, and control. It turns consumer-grade Internet into an enterprise‑grade WAN with minimal hardware. It is ideal for branch offices, pop‑up sites, and remote workers needing consistent access to cloud and data center applications.

Key Benefits of SD-WAN for the Hybrid Enterprise

  • Rapid Deployment of Branches: SD‑WAN eliminates long lead times. A branch can be live in minutes using local Internet links. Digital Carbon’s managed SD‑WAN Edge arrives pre‑activated – a field user just plugs it in and it auto‑configures via the cloud.

 

  • Resilience and Redundancy: Using multiple paths (broadband, 4G/5G, etc.) gives built‑in failover. SD‑WAN’s dynamic multipath steering continuously shifts traffic to maintain SLAs.

 

  • Simplified WAN Management: A unified cloud console provides network‑wide policies and monitoring. Changes are done once and propagated to all edges, avoiding per‑site configuration. This centralised orchestration is a hallmark of SD‑WAN.

 

  • Optimised Cloud Access: SD‑WAN can often attach branch sites directly to cloud gateways (SaaS on‑ramps) for services like Office 365 or BIM (building information modelling) in the cloud. By selecting the best regional cloud gateway, the SD‑WAN eliminates inefficient backhauls, improving latency.

 

  • Enhanced Local Security (Optional): Many SD‑WAN solutions include basic firewalling, VPN, and IDS/IPS features at the branch. VeloCloud’s SD‑WAN Edge, for example, has an “Enhanced Firewall Service” based on NSX, which lets organisations remove old branch firewalls without losing protection.

 

For IT leaders, these SD-WAN solutions mean predictable performance for employees, whether they are in the office, at home, or on the road. By handling traffic intelligently, SD‑WAN ensures that voice calls stay clear, video streams don’t lag, and cloud apps remain responsive even when network conditions change. Gartner and industry analysts often cite SD‑WAN’s ability to increase agility and lower WAN costs as the primary benefits of a cloud‑managed WAN.


What Is SASE and Why It’s Important

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a concept introduced by Gartner in 2019 that unifies network and security services into a single cloud‑based platform. In practice, SASE builds on SD‑WAN’s networking foundation by adding a full suite of security capabilities delivered from distributed cloud points of presence (PoPs).

A typical SASE architecture converges:

  • SD‑WAN Networking: The core SD‑WAN overlay that connects users, branches, and data centres over any transport.

 

  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Identity‑based, context‑aware access controls ensure users only reach the applications they are authorised to use.

 

  • Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Next-Gen Firewalls deployed in the cloud edge to inspect and protect traffic at scale.

 

  • Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Cloud‑delivered web filtering and threat protection for Internet traffic.

 

  • Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Monitoring and enforcing policies on SaaS and cloud apps.

 

  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Threat Protection: Integrated security services to detect and prevent data breaches or malware.

 

  • Unified Management: A single console that administers both network and security policies across the enterprise.

 

Seraphic Security explains that SASE “merges WAN functions with security services (SWG, CASB, FWaaS, ZTNA)” via a cloud approach. Instead of backhauling branch traffic to a data centre for security inspection, SASE pushes security closer to users at the edge. These cloud PoPs are globally distributed, so whether an employee is in London, Lima, or Lagos, their traffic hits a nearby SASE node. The result is lower latency and consistent policy enforcement, since the security stack lives in the cloud rather than on premises.

In practical terms, SASE extends SD‑WAN by embedding security directly into the network fabric. According to an industry analysis, “SD‑WAN remains part of the foundation, but SASE goes further by embedding native security” such as ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and FWaaS. This means that traffic – whether SaaS, internet, or private app – is both optimised and inspected end‑to‑end. Gartner and vendors now emphasise SASE as the architecture for modern enterprises, especially given increasingly distributed work patterns.


Key Advantages of SASE for Hybrid Work

  • Built‑in Security Everywhere: With SASE, security is not an afterthought; it is part of the network. A user’s Internet traffic is filtered by SWG, their access to private apps is controlled by ZTNA, and all data can be scanned by DLP as it leaves or enters the enterprise. This uniform approach reduces gaps in security that can happen when branch firewalls and cloud controls are managed separately.

 

  • Zero Trust Principles: SASE platforms apply “never trust, always verify” at every connection. User identity, device posture, and context drive access decisions in real time. This is crucial when people work from home or on mobile devices – if a laptop with weak security tries to connect, SASE can restrict it accordingly.

 

  • Global Performance and Scale: By operating from a cloud-native edge with dozens or hundreds of PoPs worldwide, SASE can handle traffic more efficiently than routing everything through a few data centers. This means remote workers often see better performance on SaaS apps because traffic is handled locally rather than sent across continents.

 

  • Unified Policy Management: Administrators define security and networking policies once, and they propagate automatically. No more configuring each device manually. This consistency accelerates rollout of updates and ensures compliance (such as GDPR or industry regulations) is maintained uniformly.

 

  • Simplified Network and Security Operations: Since networking and security functions are integrated in one platform, IT teams avoid tool sprawl. The Open Systems blog notes that without SASE, enterprises often must backhaul traffic to central firewalls, hurting performance. In contrast, SASE “converges networking and security into a unified, cloud‑delivered service,” eliminating these silos.

 

  • Adaptable to Cloud and IoT: SASE is designed for modern apps and devices, including IoT at the edge. It supports cloud adoption by giving direct, secure paths to AWS/Azure apps, and can extend protection to branch IoT traffic without separate appliances.

 

For companies with hybrid teams, these advantages mean users get fast, secure access to corporate resources no matter where they are. Check Point and Fortinet analysts have noted that SASE is “ideal” for hybrid workforce security because it combines SD‑WAN with a cloud‑delivered security stack. In fact, Arista VeloCloud highlights that SASE provides “secure, reliable, and optimal connectivity for branch locations” and extends these capabilities to remote users via client software.


SD-WAN vs SASE: Key Differences

While SD‑WAN and SASE both improve hybrid networking, they serve different scopes:

  • Core Focus: SD‑WAN primarily focuses on network performance and reliability. It gives you flexible WAN connectivity, centralised orchestration, and application‑aware routing. SASE extends SD‑WAN by adding integrated security. All SASE architectures include an SD‑WAN component, but also weave in security services at the edge.

 

  • Security Posture: Standalone SD‑WAN can include basic security (VPNs, local firewalls), but most enterprises need separate security stacks behind it. SASE natively includes advanced security (NGFW, SWG, CASB, ZTNA, etc.) delivered from the cloud. As Mark Burski notes, “SD‑WAN enhances connectivity, but it was never meant to deliver the robust, integrated security enterprises now demand”. SASE addresses exactly that gap.

 

  • Architecture: SD‑WAN often assumes a hybrid model with some on‑premise firewall or data center enforcement. SASE assumes a cloud‑first model: traffic goes to the nearest SASE PoP, where networking and security functions are co‑located. This can eliminate hair‑pinned backhaul to headquarters, improving latency.

 

  • Policy Scope: With SD‑WAN alone, network policies (QoS, routing) and security policies (access control, filtering) are typically managed by separate teams/tools. SASE provides one management plane for both. For example, Palo Alto’s Prisma SASE offers a single cloud portal for network and security, significantly reducing operational overhead.

 

  • Use Cases: If your primary need is branch connectivity (replacing MPLS, boosting site-to-site performance) and you have an existing security fabric, SD‑WAN might suffice. But if you need a fully unified solution – protecting users and data anywhere, simplifying compliance, and scaling easily to cloud – SASE is advantageous. Industry analysts predict that by 2028, 70% of SD-WAN purchases will be part of a single‑vendor SASE platform. In other words, the market is trending toward SASE for comprehensive connectivity + security.

 

Summary: Think of SD‑WAN as optimising “how your data travels,” while SASE optimises both the travel and the guardrails around it. SD‑WAN gives you the flexible overlay needed for hybrid work; SASE builds on that foundation with cloud‑delivered security services and a zero‑trust mindset. For example, Digital Carbon offers SD‑WAN managed services that provide agile connectivity for remote sites – and that same framework can be extended with SASE services when unified security is needed across the enterprise.


Arista VeloCloud Best of Breed

 

Choosing SD-WAN and SASE Solutions

For IT leaders evaluating SD-WAN solutions and managed services, consider these factors:

  • Transport Flexibility: Look for solutions that can combine broadband, LTE/5G, and MPLS as needed. Aggregating those links delivers high bandwidth and built-in failover.

 

  • Centralised Orchestration: Choose SD‑WAN providers with cloud management portals that scale. Multi-tenant dashboards or AI-driven analytics (AIOps) can provide proactive insights on user experience.

 

  • Security Integration: Many vendors (Cisco, Arista, Fortinet, Palo Alto, etc.) offer SD‑WAN as part of a broader SASE portfolio. If your network requires robust security, consider “managed SD-WAN” from a provider that can layer in SASE/SSE services. The Fortinet Unified SASE and VeloCloud SASE platforms explicitly bundle SD‑WAN with ZTNA, SWG, etc.

 

  • Global PoPs: In SASE, the number and location of cloud PoPs matter. Providers like Arista VeloCloud (>200 PoPs) or Palo Alto’s Prisma are designed for global reach.

 

  • Operational Model: Many enterprises opt for managed SD‑WAN services rather than DIY deployment. A managed service means an experienced provider (like Digital Carbon) handles the day-to-day, from deployment to monitoring. According to the Tufin guide on SD‑WAN providers, IT leaders should evaluate vendors on their ability to “support managed SD-WAN service, cloud services, and consistent network management”.

 

  • Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Support: If your enterprise spans multiple clouds or plans to expand, ensure your SD‑WAN/SASE can seamlessly connect to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc. Arista VeloCloud SD‑WAN, for example, advertises easy on‑ramps to all major clouds without network redesign.

 

Among top SD-WAN providers, solutions differ in ease of use and feature set. Cisco, Arista VeloCloud, Fortinet, Palo Alto (Prisma), Versa, Aruba, Zscaler, etc., all have viable offerings. But they are not all equal for SASE. If you want a one-vendor SASE, look for a platform recognised as a SASE leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant (Palo Alto, Cisco, etc.). Alternatively, you can pair best-of-breed SD‑WAN from one vendor with third-party SSE (Secure Service Edge) from another, as Arista VeloCloud suggests.


Key questions to ask SD-WAN/SASE providers:

  • How does their solution handle remote users? Do they offer an SD‑WAN client or ZTNA agent for laptops, phones, etc.? (OpenVPN CloudConnexa and Secure Access, Cisco’s Zero Trust integration, etc.)

  • Do they have a cloud of security services (SWG, CASB) or must you add separate security appliances?

  • Can you enforce consistent security policies across branches and remote workers easily? (Look for zero trust and centralised policy management.)

  • What kind of visibility and AI does the system provide? (Cisco, Palo Alto, and Arista VeloCloud all tout AI/ML for self‑healing networks and user-experience monitoring.)

 

Remember to leverage expertise. Many enterprises opt for SD-WAN managed services to speed deployment and reduce risk. A managed SD-WAN service provider will handle installation of edge devices, configuration of policies, ongoing monitoring, and integration with your existing network. By offloading these tasks, your IT team can focus on strategy. Digital Carbon, for example, offers a Managed SD-WAN solution that modernises networks for industries like construction and engineering, dynamically steering critical apps over the best path.


Digital Carbon’s Workshop and Next Steps

At Digital Carbon, we understand that no two organisations have identical networking needs. To help IT leaders navigate the SD-WAN and SASE landscape, we invite you to schedule a workshop with our experts. In this free consultative session, we’ll:


  • Review your existing network and identify bottlenecks in connectivity or security.

  • Explain how a co-managed SD-WAN solution can optimise performance for your hybrid workforce across any transport (broadband, 4G/5G, MPLS).

  • Show how integrating SASE would embed enterprise-class security (ZTNA, FWaaS, SWG, CASB) at the cloud edge, simplifying policy enforcement and compliance.

  • Demonstrate real-world examples of improved reliability and security for organisations just like yours.

  • Discuss tailored options from Digital Carbon’s portfolio (we partner with leading SD-WAN/SASE vendors) and how a subscription-based model can control costs.

 

Hybrid work requires both robust connectivity and comprehensive security. Together, SD‑WAN and SASE deliver a unified solution. By leveraging a co-managed SD‑WAN service and SASE architecture, your enterprise can ensure remote and on-site employees enjoy fast, reliable access to the apps they need without compromising security or control.


Ready to optimise your network for the future of work? Contact Digital Carbon today to schedule your SD-WAN & SASE workshop. Our specialists will help you plot the path to a secure, agile, hybrid network that scales with your business needs.