Reimagining SD-WAN Dominance: The Rise of Cisco and Fortinet

Shift in Reader Engagement: SD-WAN to Secure SD-WAN and SASE

The Changing Landscape

According to recent data from SDxCentral, there has been a significant shift in reader engagement within the field of Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN). Traditional SD-WAN solutions are no longer sufficient in addressing the increasing security threats faced by enterprises and service providers. As a result, there has been a growing interest in secure SD-WAN and Single-Vendor Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) offerings, which prioritize security from the design phase.

Signs of Transformation

The data analysis conducted by SDxCentral reveals the changing preferences among readers. Definitional pieces on SD-WAN and SASE are popular among those beginning their research journey. Analysis and feature articles discussing specific technologies are favored by those narrowing down their options. Additionally, news and analysis stories about vendors and their solutions attract readers in the adoption or implementation phase.

Notably, there has been significant growth in readership from geographies that traditionally adopt technology later, indicating the maturity of the SD-WAN market. This trend is reminiscent of the engagement witnessed during the peak adoption curves of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV).

Vendor Rankings and Observations

SDxCentral assessed the level of attention vendors garnered from readers by analyzing page views of articles tagged with SD-WAN or SASE. Vendors were then ranked based on the adjusted data, factoring in the amount of coverage specific to each company.

The rankings for the first quarter of 2023 are as follows:

1. Cisco
2. HPE Aruba Networking
3. Fortinet
4. VMware
5. Palo Alto Networks
6. Juniper Networks
7. Cato Networks
8. Versa Networks
9. Check Point
10. Netskope

While Cisco secures the top spot, it is important to note that a significant portion of their engagement stemmed from an article about an SD-WAN product outage. Excluding that article would have affected their ranking. Traditional SD-WAN vendors like HPE Aruba Networking, Juniper Networks, and VMware witnessed declines in reader engagement. On the other hand, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cato Networks, Versa, and Check Point experienced surges in interest, highlighting the importance of secure SD-WAN and SASE offerings.

Although not in the top 10, companies such as Zscaler, Cloudflare, and Graphiant have seen increased engagement throughout the year.

Implications and Takeaways

Security Takes Center Stage

The shift in reader preferences indicates a growing concern for security. Readers are now turning to secure SD-WAN and SASE solutions to protect their businesses. This is evident through the increased engagement with security-centric vendors such as Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cato Networks, Versa, and Check Point.

Geographic Market Maturity

The engagement growth from regions and countries that typically adopt technology later in the tech adoption curve, such as Oceania, Southern Europe, Brazil, and Indonesia, underlines the maturation of the SD-WAN and SASE markets.

The Decline of Traditional Leaders

In contrast, traditional SD-WAN market leaders like Cisco, VMware, and HPE Aruba are witnessing decreased page views and engagement from readers. This offers insight into the changing landscape and the growing demand for alternative solutions.

Looking Beyond the Hype: Buyer Considerations

Product Offering and Compatibility

As the SD-WAN and SASE markets continue to evolve, it is crucial for buyers to look beyond the hype and carefully assess vendors. When conducting research, it is advisable to consider a vendor’s overall product offering, their compatibility with other vendors’ products, and the alignment of their service offerings with the specific needs of your company.

While the data indicates a shift in reader engagement towards secure SD-WAN and SASE providers, traditional vendors should not be discounted outright. Each vendor has unique strengths and capabilities, and the decision should be based on an organization’s specific requirements.

This changing landscape offers opportunities for organizations to reassess their networking and security strategies. By staying informed about emerging solutions and understanding their implications, enterprises can make informed decisions that support their long-term goals.