A wide area network (WAN) is a network that spans a large geographical area, typically covering multiple buildings or even entire cities.
While WANs offer many benefits, there are also several disadvantages to consider.
Some of the key disadvantages of WANs include issues related to cost, complexity, reliability, latency, bandwidth limitations, security concerns, compliance requirements, maintenance, distance limitations, compatibility issues, and limited control.
In this article, we will explore these disadvantages in more detail and discuss their potential impact on organizations that rely on WANs for their networking needs.
Disadvantages of wan
Cost: WANs can be expensive to set up and maintain, especially if you need to purchase or lease dedicated lines.
Complexity: WANs are complex and require a high level of expertise to design and manage.
Reliability: WANs can be less reliable than local area networks (LANs) because they rely on third-party carriers and the internet to transmit data.
Latency: WANs often have higher latency than LANs, which can result in slower data transmission speeds.
Bandwidth limitations: WANs can have bandwidth limitations that restrict the amount of data that can be transmitted.
Security concerns: WANs are more vulnerable to security threats than LANs, as they are accessible from a wider range of locations.
Compliance requirements: WANs can be subject to regulatory compliance requirements, which can be costly and time-consuming to implement.
Maintenance: WANs require regular maintenance and updates, which can be time-consuming and disruptive.
Distance limitations: WANs may not be feasible for organizations with multiple sites located in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Compatibility issues: WANs may not be compatible with all types of hardware and software.
Complexity of configuration: WANs can be difficult to configure, especially if you have multiple locations and need to maintain consistent network settings across all sites.
Connectivity problems: WANs can experience connectivity problems due to factors such as network congestion or equipment failures.
Limited control: WANs offer limited control over network performance, as they rely on third-party carriers to transmit data.
Susceptibility to downtime: WANs are more susceptible to downtime than LANs, as they are dependent on third-party carriers and the internet to transmit data.
Slow response time: WANs can have slow response times due to factors such as latency and bandwidth limitations.
Limited bandwidth allocation: WANs may not be able to allocate enough bandwidth to support all users and applications.
Incompatibility with legacy systems: WANs may not be compatible with older or legacy systems, which can make it difficult to integrate with existing IT infrastructure.
Limited scalability: WANs may be difficult to scale up or down as your organization’s needs change.
Complexity of troubleshooting: WANs can be difficult to troubleshoot when problems occur, especially if you have multiple locations.
Need for specialized expertise: WANs require specialized expertise to design, implement, and manage, which can be costly to acquire and maintain.
What are the security risks associated with WAN
Wide Area Networks (WAN) have more security risks compared to Local Area Networks (LAN) due to the following reasons:
- WANs combine many technologies, which can cause security gaps[1]•
- WANs are more susceptible to viruses, malware, adware, and phishing scams[2]•
- WANs are more dependent on third-party service providers, making them less secure and reliable [3]•
- WANs are more complex and require high-performance devices, which can be expensive to maintain
- WANs are more vulnerable to data loss, data breaches, and cyber attacks
- To mitigate these risks, it is necessary to install a firewall and antivirus software, restrict content based on corporate policies, and use secure web gateways
It is also important to understand the differences between LAN and WAN security to protect systems and data from cyber attacks
How can companies mitigate security risks in WAN
- Using encryption to protect against evil twin attacks and to protect data in transit.
- Using a virtual LAN to isolate certain sets of data or systems from the broader LAN.
- Fully protect remote sites and workers, along with communication tools that are needed to conduct daily business.
- Employ the latest security protocols to effectively protect users.
- Setting up secure VPN and WAN links.
- Installing a firewall and antivirus software to protect against hackers and viruses, as well as other security software on various WAN points.
- Appropriately configure the routers and firewalls for the WAN.
- Using a secure web gateways to restrict content based on corporate policies.
- Using virtual private networks (VPNs) to offer secure connections between the locations on the WAN.
- Rethink the way that security controls examine traffic for malicious behavior and apply content security policies.
- Keep in mind that SD-WAN’s encrypted traffic capabilities do not make it secure by default at initial deployment.
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