Fujitsu 'Sets Standard' with Holistic Approach

Digital transformation is certainly front of mind for firms large and small, far and wide but big question looming around IT department water coolers is in regard to security. The cloud era presents opportunity but also poses the threat of vulnerability. Thankfully modernizing your WAN does not mean short changing security.

In advance of next week’s SD-WAN Expo, I had the chance to catch up with Fujitsu (News - Alert) Head of Digital Services Ralph Santitoro. If you are curious about learning more about SD-WAN, as a member of MEF (News - Alert), Santitoro was instrumental in developing MEF 3.0. So, grab your popcorn. We’ll scratch the surface here, but this is simply finger food compared to the cornucopia of insight to come at the event.

For Fujitsu, the focus is “helping customers realize the same level of security they currently have, but we’re taking away the need for dedicated upfront capital and ongoing asset management while helping companies optimize their cashflow,” explained Santitoro.

Santitoro works on the bleeding edge, and in terms of security recent months have illustrated a growing movement toward SASE, and it is changing perspective on security. Santitoro explained quite succinctly, “Secure Access Service Edge (not self-addressed stamped envelope) must encompass networking, cloud, security, reliability and customers are expecting solutions. They want one vendor they can trust to implement and manage a solution. We manage each solution as a ‘release’ including all of the component hardware and software. If anything changes in that solution, we test and retest to make sure there are no hiccups with the service.”

Piggybacking the trend of SASE, Santitoro continued, “Holistic approach to the networking, cloud and security versus technology niche. Customers want more than just a narrow application of SD-WAN. They see it as a platform that brings more than just the underlying technology, it brings outcomes.”

The greatest challenge for SD-WAN vendors is navigating the tight rope of “driving bigger changes versus ‘adding’ SD-WAN technology.” Service providers need to re-evaluate network design and cloud integration with security remaining a priority before moving forward with SD-WAN technology.

2019 was a banner year for SD-WAN for a number of reasons with one of the more prominent being MEF 3.0. As Santitoro highlighted, “This is the first step towards driving interoperability which allows/permits more flexibility along with multi-vendor, open solutions.” While 2019 saw an expanded impact of SD-WAN on customers approach to the network, cloud and security, looking ahead, 2020 could be the year we see “SD-WAN features in all access equipment,” but he didn’t stop there. The next 12 months may also be when we see an Internet standard draft.

At the end of the day, Fujitsu keeps its eye on the prize – providing customers with the appropriate solution to provide the expected performance without sacrificing security. Not all SD-WAN solutions are the same, and SD-WAN Expo offers the opportunity to educate the masses from some of the best in the business. Santitoro put it best, saying “We want to help people make the right choice when choosing SD-WAN and we will have some of the country’s best educators in attendance. Whether they choose SD-WAN, SD-Branch or a DIY installation, we can help. “

See Santitoro take the stage on Wednesday February 12, 2020 at 1pm with fellow MEF member Vice President of Connectivity Solutions Comcast (News - Alert) Business Jeff Lewis for the session, “Seeking an SD-WAN Standard.”

See you in sunny South Florida!