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* Products  
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  * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)  
    [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)
  
  * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)
  
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  * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cortex Exposure Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/exposure-management?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cortex Advanced Email Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/advanced-email-security?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Unit 42 Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* Solutions  
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  Secure AI by Design
  
  * [Secure AI Ecosystem](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)
  * [Secure GenAI Usage](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)  
    Network Security
  * [Cloud Network Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)
  * [Data Center Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/data-center?ts=markdown)
  * [DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)
  * [Intrusion Detection and Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)
  * [Device Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/device-security?ts=markdown)
  * [OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/ot-device-security?ts=markdown)
  * [5G Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/5g-security?ts=markdown)
  * [Secure All Apps, Users and Locations](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/secure-users-data-apps-devices?ts=markdown)
  * [Secure Branch Transformation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/secure-branch-transformation?ts=markdown)
  * [Secure Work on Any Device](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/secure-work-on-any-device?ts=markdown)
  * [VPN Replacement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/vpn-replacement-for-secure-remote-access?ts=markdown)
  * [Web \& Phishing Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)  
    Cloud Security
  * [Application Security Posture Management (ASPM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security-posture-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Software Supply Chain Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/software-supply-chain-security?ts=markdown)
  * [Code Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/code-security?ts=markdown)
  * [Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-security-posture-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-infrastructure-entitlement-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/data-security-posture-management?ts=markdown)
  * [AI Security Posture Management (AI-SPM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/ai-security-posture-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Cloud Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)
  * [Cloud Workload Protection (CWP)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-workload-protection?ts=markdown)
  * [Web Application \& API Security (WAAS)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/web-app-api-security?ts=markdown)  
    Security Operations
  * [Cloud Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)
  * [Security Information and Event Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/modernize-siem?ts=markdown)
  * [Network Security Automation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/network-security-automation?ts=markdown)
  * [Incident Case Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/incident-case-management?ts=markdown)
  * [SOC Automation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/security-operations-automation?ts=markdown)
  * [Threat Intel Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/threat-intel-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)
  * [Attack Surface Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse/attack-surface-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Compliance Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse/compliance-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Internet Operations Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse/internet-operations-management?ts=markdown)
  * [Extended Data Lake (XDL)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdl?ts=markdown)
  * [Agentic Assistant](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-agentic-assistant?ts=markdown)  
    Endpoint Security
  * [Endpoint Protection](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/endpoint-protection?ts=markdown)
  * [Extended Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/detection-and-response?ts=markdown)
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  * [Small \& Medium Business Solutions](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/industry/small-medium-business-portfolio?ts=markdown)

* Services  
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  [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Assess](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)
  
  * [AI Security Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/ai-security-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Attack Surface Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/attack-surface-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Breach Readiness Review](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/breach-readiness-review?ts=markdown)
  
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  * [Cloud Security Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/cloud-security-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Compromise Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/compromise-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
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  * [M\&A Cyber Due Diligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/mergers-acquisitions-cyber-due-diligence?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Penetration Testing](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/penetration-testing?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Purple Team Exercises](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/purple-teaming?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Ransomware Readiness Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/ransomware-readiness-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
  * [SOC Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/soc-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Supply Chain Risk Assessment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/supply-chain-risk-assessment?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Tabletop Exercises](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess/tabletop-exercise?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Unit 42 Retainer](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/retainer?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Respond](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Cloud Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond/cloud-incident-response?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Digital Forensics](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond/digital-forensics?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond/incident-response?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Managed Detection and Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond/managed-detection-response?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Managed Threat Hunting](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond/managed-threat-hunting?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Unit 42 Retainer](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/retainer?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Transform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)
  
  * [IR Plan Development and Review](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform/incident-response-plan-development-review?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Security Program Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform/security-program-design?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Virtual CISO](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform/vciso?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Zero Trust Advisory](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform/zero-trust-advisory?ts=markdown)  
    [Global Customer Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/services?ts=markdown)
  
  * [Education \& Training](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/services/education?ts=markdown)
  
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    UNIT 42 RETAINER
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* Partners  
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  * [Solution Providers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/partners/nextwave-solution-providers?ts=markdown)
  * [Managed Security Service Providers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/partners/managed-security-service-providers?ts=markdown)
  * [XMDR Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/partners/managed-security-service-providers/xmdr?ts=markdown)  
    Take Action
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  * [Become a Partner](https://paloaltonetworks.my.site.com/NextWavePartnerProgram/s/partnerregistration?type=becomepartner)
  * [Request Access](https://paloaltonetworks.my.site.com/NextWavePartnerProgram/s/partnerregistration?type=requestaccess)
  * [Find a Partner](https://paloaltonetworks.my.site.com/NextWavePartnerProgram/s/partnerlocator)  
    [CYBERFORCE
    CYBERFORCE represents the top 1% of partner engineers trusted for their security expertise.
    Learn more](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberforce?ts=markdown)

* Company  
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  Palo Alto Networks
  
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  * [Precision AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security?ts=markdown)
  * [Our Platform Approach](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/why-paloaltonetworks/platformization?ts=markdown)
  * [Accelerate Your Cybersecurity Transformation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/why-paloaltonetworks/nam-cxo-portfolio?ts=markdown)
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    Careers
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    Read more](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/press/2021/palo-alto-networks-secures-top-ranking-on-newsweek-s-most-loved-workplaces-list-for-2021?ts=markdown)

* More  
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  * [Threat Vector Podcast](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-threat-vector-podcast/)
  * [Packet Pushers Podcasts](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/packet-pusher?ts=markdown)  
    Connect
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1. [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
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3. [Breaking Down the Real-World Benefits of SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan?ts=markdown)  
   Table of contents

* [What drives SD-WAN adoption?](#what-drive-sd-wan-adoption)
* [Application performance and reliability](#application-performance-and-reliability)
* [Reduced connectivity and operational costs](#reduced-connectivity-and-operational-costs)
* [Agile branch and site deployment](#agile-branch-and-site-deployment)
* [Consistent security posture](#consistent-security-posture)
* [Centralized visibility and control](#centralized-visibility-and-control)
* [Optimized access to cloud and SaaS applications](#optimized-access-to-cloud-and-saas-applications)
* [SD-WAN benefits FAQs](#sd-wan-benefits-faqs)

# Breaking Down the Real-World Benefits of SD-WAN

6 min. read  
Table of contents

* [What drives SD-WAN adoption?](#what-drive-sd-wan-adoption)
* [Application performance and reliability](#application-performance-and-reliability)
* [Reduced connectivity and operational costs](#reduced-connectivity-and-operational-costs)
* [Agile branch and site deployment](#agile-branch-and-site-deployment)
* [Consistent security posture](#consistent-security-posture)
* [Centralized visibility and control](#centralized-visibility-and-control)
* [Optimized access to cloud and SaaS applications](#optimized-access-to-cloud-and-saas-applications)
* [SD-WAN benefits FAQs](#sd-wan-benefits-faqs)

1. What drives SD-WAN adoption?

* [1. What drives SD-WAN adoption?](#what-drive-sd-wan-adoption)
* [2. Application performance and reliability](#application-performance-and-reliability)
* [3. Reduced connectivity and operational costs](#reduced-connectivity-and-operational-costs)
* [4. Agile branch and site deployment](#agile-branch-and-site-deployment)
* [5. Consistent security posture](#consistent-security-posture)
* [6. Centralized visibility and control](#centralized-visibility-and-control)
* [7. Optimized access to cloud and SaaS applications](#optimized-access-to-cloud-and-saas-applications)
* [8. SD-WAN benefits FAQs](#sd-wan-benefits-faqs)  
  ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan.jpg)  
  close

The benefits of SD-WAN include:

* Application performance and reliability
* Reduced connectivity and operational costs
* Agile branch and site deployment
* Consistent security posture
* Centralized visibility and control
* Optimized access to cloud and SaaS applications

Each of these reflects measurable outcomes, not just features. Taken together, they explain why SD-WAN remains central to enterprise networking strategy.

## What drives SD-WAN adoption?

In 2025, [SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-sd-wan) is no longer a new technology. It's become the way many organizations keep pace with a network environment that has shifted dramatically. Legacy WAN models, built for centralized applications and predictable traffic, just don't match how businesses operate today.

The most immediate driver is the dominance of cloud and SaaS.  
"92% of workloads are now hosted on some form of cloud platform, indicating a significant shift from traditional on-premises solutions. Only 8% of workloads remain solely on-premises, showing a substantial move towards cloud-based infrastructure across various industries."  
[- Rackspace, The 2025 State of Cloud Report](https://www.rackspace.com/lp/2025-state-cloud-report)

Productivity, collaboration, and line-of-business apps now run almost entirely outside the data center. Backhauling that traffic over MPLS introduces latency and undermines performance.

And that's one of the major reasons SD-WAN adoption continues. Because direct, policy-based paths are essential for keeping SaaS and cloud services usable at scale.  
![Diagram illustrating corporate connectivity before and after SaaS adoption. The top section labeled 'Before' shows a branch office connected through an intermediary network icon to headquarters. The bottom section labeled 'After' shows a branch office with multiple connections through the intermediary icon to headquarters, which then connects to SaaS providers including Google, Salesforce, and Microsoft, cloud platforms AWS and Azure, and consumer applications like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, labeled as best effort.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/Connectivity-pre-and-post-SaaS-1.png)

Cost pressure is another factor.

[MPLS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/mpls-what-is-multiprotocol-label-switching) circuits remain expensive and rigid. SD-WAN allows organizations to mix transports---broadband, LTE, or private lines. As well as use policy to steer traffic where it performs best. Which means network capacity can be scaled more flexibly and at lower cost than traditional WANs ever allowed.

Branch expansion and hybrid work also drive adoption.  
"80% of organizations report that they allow some level of remote and hybrid model for their employee's ways of working."  
[- Deloitte, 2024 Global Workforce Trends Report](https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/Tax/us-tax-deloitte-2024-global-workforce-trends.pdf)

Remote sites and new offices need to be online in days, not months. SD-WAN's ability to provision and enforce policy centrally makes this possible without a large field workforce.

And as always, security remains a persistent challenge.

The attack surface has grown with more devices, more distributed traffic, and new classes of applications, including generative AI.

Which is why organizations need a consistent way to enforce [encryption](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption), [segmentation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-network-segmentation), and access policies across every location and transport. SD-WAN provides that uniformity where legacy WANs fall short.

So:

While SD-WAN may not be brand new, adoption is still happening because the pressures haven't gone away. Cloud, cost, agility, and security continue to pull organizations toward SD-WAN today just as strongly as they did in its early years.  
| ***Further reading:***

* [*Traditional WAN vs. SD-WAN: What Are the Differences?*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/traditional-wan-vs-sd-wan)
* [*What is the Difference Between SD-WAN and MPLS?*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sd-wan-vs-mpls)
* [*What Is SD-WAN Architecture? Components, Types, \& Impacts*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sd-wan-architecture)

## Application performance and reliability

Application performance is one of the clearest reasons organizations continue to adopt SD-WAN. Legacy WANs depend on fixed routes that often force traffic through data centers. And that design creates latency, plus makes application behavior unpredictable.

SD-WAN improves performance by using dynamic path selection.  
![Diagram illustrating SD-WAN dynamic path selection and traffic steering. On the left, application thresholds connect to a branch office. SD-WAN traffic steering factors listed include session load distribution, path quality profile, and traffic distribution profile. From the branch office, two virtual interfaces branch out: a VPN virtual interface with IPSec connections shown in red leading to a private network, and a DIA virtual interface with Ethernet connections shown in blue leading to the public internet. Both paths connect to headquarters and internet or SaaS destinations, with callouts noting path latency, jitter, packet loss, and priority.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/Dynamic-path-selection-and-traffic-steering.png)

The system monitors available transport links in real time. So traffic can be shifted automatically to the link that best meets the application's needs.

Reliability is another outcome.

Active/active failover keeps sessions alive even when one circuit fails. This approach reduces brownouts and makes outages far less disruptive. In other words, workloads don't collapse because a single link degrades.

Service-level agreements can also be enforced.

SD-WAN continuously measures packet loss, latency, and jitter against defined thresholds. If a link no longer meets the SLA, traffic is rerouted to a healthier path.  
![Diagram illustrating a flow from a laptop labeled Application X on the left to a server on the right, with traffic passing through branch and HQ icons that each contain an SD-WAN CPE device. In the top section labeled good path quality, packets flow from the laptop through the branch over a green line labeled DSL to the HQ, then on to the server, with an alternative blue line labeled LTE shown below. In the bottom section labeled bad path quality, packets flow from the laptop through the branch and HQ with the DSL path drawn in red, and the connection rerouted via LTE marked by a blue line with arrows labeled dynamic switching before continuing to the server.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/Dynamic-path-selection.png)

Today, this is critical because SaaS, video, and AI-driven workloads dominate enterprise traffic. It's not just about avoiding dropped calls. It's about keeping business applications like Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, and inference-heavy AI models stable across global sites.

The outcome is simple. Less jitter. Fewer brownouts. Reliable performance for latency-sensitive applications. SD-WAN provides the transport intelligence to maintain these standards in ways that legacy WAN architectures cannot.

## Reduced connectivity and operational costs

Cost remains one of the strongest reasons organizations adopt SD-WAN. Traditional WAN models often rely on MPLS circuits. Those circuits are reliable but expensive and slow to provision.

SD-WAN introduces flexibility.

It can combine broadband, LTE, or DIA links with existing MPLS. Which means: organizations can choose the most cost-effective option at each site. The result is lower recurring connectivity spend and less dependence on long-term MPLS commitments.  
![Diagram illustrating SD-WAN connections to multiple transport services with a central teal box labeled data center in the middle, six branch office icons arranged around it in two columns of three on each side, and a cloud icon labeled internet positioned above. Lines extend between the data center and each branch office, color coded to indicate transport types: blue for MPLS, gray for 4G/5G LTE, and yellow for broadband. An additional yellow line extends from the data center to the internet cloud icon. A legend at the bottom identifies the color coding for MPLS, 4G/5G LTE, and broadband.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/SD-WAN-and-multiple-transport-services.png)

Operational savings add to this picture.

With centralized management and automation, IT teams make fewer site visits. Truck rolls become rare. Configuration changes happen once at the controller and propagate everywhere. In other words, the network requires less day-to-day labor.

Capex and opex are both affected.

Fewer dedicated appliances lower capital expense. Reduced management time and the use of more affordable circuits lower operating expense. That combination makes it easier to predict ongoing costs. And to calculate a faster return on investment.

It's worth noting, though, that many organizations aren't abandoning MPLS entirely. Instead, they run hybrid underlays that balance MPLS, broadband, LTE, and sometimes 5G. The benefit here isn't just cutting costs. It's being able to scale bandwidth up or down more fluidly while keeping spend under control.

In practice, this adds up to: Reduced reliance on costly private circuits. Lower administrative overhead. More predictable operating budgets. And faster site ROI.  
| ***Further reading:***

* [*How Much Does SD-WAN Cost?*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-much-does-sdwan-cost)
* [*What Is Hybrid SD-WAN?*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-hybrid-sdwan)

![SD-WAN calculator icon](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/sd-wan-icon.svg)

## CALCULATE POTENTIAL SAVINGS WITH SD-WAN Estimate your organization's ROI in minutes.

[Try the ROI calculator](https://tools.totaleconomicimpact.com/go/paloalto/sase/index.html)

## Agile branch and site deployment

Legacy WAN provisioning has always been slow. Adding a new branch often meant waiting months for MPLS circuits, hardware, and manual configuration.

SD-WAN changes that timeline. With [zero-touch provisioning](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-zero-touch-provisioning-ZTP) and virtualized CPE overlays, a branch can be turned up in days instead of months. So new sites no longer stall because the network isn't ready.

The impact goes beyond speed. As organizations expand globally, pursue mergers and acquisitions, or stand up hybrid workforce hubs, agility becomes critical.

Traditional WANs create delays during restructuring. SD-WAN reduces that friction by centralizing deployment, enforcing templates, and scaling configurations without heavy rework.

Why does this matter?

Because business growth is unpredictable. One quarter may require opening multiple branch sites across regions. Another may mean integrating a newly acquired company. SD-WAN's centralized model keeps provisioning consistent no matter the scenario.

There's also a reliability angle.

Automated deployment reduces human error, which lowers the chance of outages during setup. And by extending the same policies everywhere, IT teams spend less time reconfiguring devices site by site.

Here's what organizations get. Faster branch launches. Lower operational overhead. And smoother transitions when business priorities shift.  
| ***Further reading:** [What Is SD-Branch? | Centralized Security for Branch Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sd-branch-centralized-security-for-branch-office-networks)*

## Consistent security posture

SD-WAN isn't a security platform. Its role is networking. But its architecture introduces controls that strengthen how security policies are applied across a distributed WAN.

Encrypted tunnels are at the core.

Every site can connect over public or private links with traffic protected end to end. And that means [sensitive data](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data) isn't left exposed when branches use broadband or LTE instead of MPLS.

Segmentation is another building block.

With SD-WAN overlays, IT teams can isolate traffic for different users, applications, or devices. For instance, a guest Wi-Fi network can be kept separate from internal business systems. And that reduces the chance that a compromised endpoint spreads risk [laterally](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-lateral-movement).

Centralized enforcement ties it together.

Policies are defined once and pushed everywhere. No more device-by-device configuration drift at remote branches. The outcome is a uniform security posture whether traffic rides over fiber, 5G, or broadband.

Why is this important now?

Because the attack surface has expanded. Remote workers, IoT endpoints, and AI-driven applications all demand consistent protection. A single weak site can open a gap. SD-WAN helps by applying encryption and segmentation everywhere without exceptions.  
"We're also seeing a multi-pronged approach in attacks, as threat actors target multiple areas of the attack surface. In fact, 70% of the incidents Unit 42 responded to happened on three or more fronts, underscoring the need to protect endpoints, networks, cloud environments and the human factor in tandem."  
[- Palo Alto Networks, Unit 42 Global Incident Response Report 2025](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/research/2025-incident-response-report)

Plus, this aligns with Zero Trust principles.

[Access is least-privileged](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-least-privilege-access), and policies follow users and applications across the network. Basically, every branch, hub, and remote site operates under the same rules.

The result is network-wide uniformity. Organizations reduce gaps that often appear in distributed environments. And IT can ensure that growth---whether new branches or new workloads---doesn't dilute the overall security posture.  
| ***Further reading:***

* [*What Is SD-WAN Security? | SD-WAN Security Considerations*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-sd-wan-security)
* [*Top 7 SD-WAN Challenges: SD-WAN Risks, Issues, \& Solutions*](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sd-wan-challenges)

## Centralized visibility and control

Legacy WANs were managed device by device. Each router or appliance had to be configured separately, often through a command line. And that made policies inconsistent and troubleshooting slow.

SD-WAN replaces that approach with a single management plane.

Policies are defined once and pushed everywhere. Analytics and telemetry are built in. The effect: IT teams can see how applications perform across the entire network without logging into each site individually.  
![Diagram illustrating centralized management in SD-WAN with a box at the top labeled SD-WAN controller connected downward by dotted yellow lines labeled control plane and dotted red lines labeled data plane. Below are three icons labeled MPLS network, Internet, and Cloud services. In the center, four green horizontal boxes labeled Fiber, Dedicated internet access, MPLS, and 4G are stacked vertically with circular network icons at each end. These connect to icons at the bottom labeled Branch office on the left, Traditional WAN routers in the center, and HQ/DC/DR on the right.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/SD-WAN-centralized-management.png)

This shift reduces complexity.

Instead of juggling different consoles and vendor tools, administrators work from one interface. For example, a change in application policy can be deployed to hundreds of branches at once. And the outcome is fewer errors and faster time to resolution.

Plus, today, visibility demands have grown majorly.

Organizations now support multi-cloud environments, remote users, and thousands of IoT or AI-driven connections. Centralization helps keep this from overwhelming IT. It filters operational noise and surfaces meaningful alerts instead of raw data.

So, why is this significant?

Because faster troubleshooting means shorter outages. A standardized policy model also improves compliance. So that organizations can demonstrate that governance is consistent everywhere, no matter the transport or geography.

Ultimately, IT teams can manage networks at scale without being buried in manual tasks. They can troubleshoot issues faster, keep outages contained, and prove that policies are applied consistently across every site and connection type.

## Optimized access to cloud and SaaS applications

As mentioned, traditional WANs often backhauled traffic through data centers before reaching cloud services. And that extra hop degraded SaaS performance, added latency, and frustrated end users.

SD-WAN eliminates that bottleneck.

It allows for direct-to-cloud connectivity, steering traffic over the best available path instead of forcing it through a fixed hub. And SaaS traffic reaches cloud services without unnecessary detours that add latency or degrade performance.  
![Diagram illustrating SD-WAN cloud connectivity with a central blue box labeled SD-WAN. On the left, three cloud icons are labeled AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, each connected to the SD-WAN box with arrows pointing right. On the right, arrows extend from the SD-WAN box to four rectangular icons labeled Campus, Data center, Remote site, and Private cloud.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/SD-WAN-cloud-connectivity.png "Diagram illustrating SD-WAN cloud connectivity with a central blue box labeled SD-WAN. On the left, three cloud icons are labeled AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, each connected to the SD-WAN box with arrows pointing right. On the right, arrows extend from the SD-WAN box to four rectangular icons labeled Campus, Data center, Remote site, and Private cloud.")

The difference is especially clear for distributed and hybrid workforces.

Users no longer depend on a single centralized entry point. Instead, they can connect directly from branch offices, remote sites, or even temporary hubs to whichever cloud services they need.  
![Diagram titled SD-WAN architecture illustrating a central dark box labeled Data center connected to six branch icons, three on the left and three on the right. Each branch is linked to the data center using multiple colored lines representing different transports: green for MPLS, purple for Cellular, and blue for Broadband, as noted in the key at the bottom. Above the data center, a dotted box labeled Internet contains cloud provider and SaaS logos including AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Workday. Blue broadband lines extend upward from the data center to the Internet box, showing integration with cloud services alongside branch connectivity.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/benefits-of-sd-wan/SD-WAN-architecture.png)

Plus, these days cloud-first isn't aspirational --- it's the default.

Enterprises run workloads across multiple providers, while employees rely on SaaS tools daily. SD-WAN supports this shift by enabling multi-cloud access and managing application paths in real time. And users get a stable experience regardless of geography, while IT avoids the overhead of maintaining custom routes for each provider.

It's not just about faster connections. It's about reliable user experience.

SD-WAN reduces packet loss and jitter, which translates into fewer video call interruptions and smoother application sessions. Organizations can adopt cloud services at scale without worrying that performance will drag.

Ultimately, SD-WAN ensures that cloud and SaaS adoption scales without compromising performance. Organizations gain predictable application behavior, users stay productive, and IT teams maintain control over how traffic flows across providers and regions.  
![Icon of a book](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/cyberpedia/what-is-rlhf/icon-rlhf-document.svg)

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---

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## SD-WAN benefits FAQs

#### What are the main business advantages of SD-WAN?

The main business advantages of SD-WAN include application performance and reliability, reduced connectivity and operational costs, agile branch and site deployment, consistent security posture, centralized visibility and control, and optimized access to cloud and SaaS applications. These benefits make networks more agile, scalable, and reliable compared to traditional WAN models.

#### Why is SD-WAN better than WAN?

Traditional WANs were designed for data center--centric traffic and rely on fixed circuits. That model was effective in its time but struggles with today's distributed environments. SD-WAN is transport-agnostic, centrally managed, and application-aware, dynamically routing traffic based on performance and policy to improve reliability and cloud access.

#### What are the benefits of SD-WAN over MPLS?

MPLS offers predictable performance but is expensive and slow to provision. SD-WAN augments or replaces MPLS with broadband, LTE, or DIA links, lowering costs and increasing agility. It also enables dynamic path selection, encryption, and direct-to-cloud routing, improving performance and resilience beyond what MPLS alone provides.

#### Which problems does SD-WAN solve?

SD-WAN addresses high WAN costs, poor SaaS performance from MPLS backhaul, slow branch provisioning, inconsistent security, and fragmented network management. It provides centralized control, transport flexibility, and application-aware routing, which together resolve the scalability and performance limitations of legacy WAN architectures.

#### Does SD-WAN reduce costs?

Yes. SD-WAN reduces costs by replacing or augmenting expensive MPLS with cheaper broadband and LTE links, lowering hardware needs, and simplifying operations through centralized management. This reduces both capital and operating expenses while making budgets more predictable.

#### How does SD-WAN improve application performance?

SD-WAN improves performance with dynamic path selection, active/active failover, and SLA-based routing. These mechanisms reduce jitter, packet loss, and outages. The result is more reliable application delivery across sites, especially for latency-sensitive workloads like SaaS, video conferencing, and AI-driven applications.

#### Can SD-WAN improve security?

SD-WAN is not a full security platform but supports a consistent security posture. It enforces encrypted tunnels, traffic segmentation, and centralized policy across all sites. This ensures consistent protection regardless of transport type and aligns with Zero Trust principles, reducing gaps in distributed environments.

#### How does SD-WAN help with cloud and SaaS adoption?

SD-WAN eliminates MPLS backhaul by enabling direct, policy-based paths to cloud and SaaS providers. It also supports multi-cloud access and dynamic routing. This improves performance for distributed users and ensures cloud adoption does not compromise user experience or application reliability.
Related content  
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Find out how to securely enable branch modernization with Prisma SD-WAN.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/securely-enable-branch-modernization-with-prisma-sd-wan)  
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[eBook: Set a Secure Foundation for a New World of Possibilities with Prisma SASE
See how AI-powered Prisma SASE supports today's modern hybrid workforce needs.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/set-secure-foundation-for-new-world-of-possibilities-with-prisma-sase)  
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