SD-WAN vendor Aryaka Networks has significantly changed their business model, from their traditional SD-WAN approach to a unified SASE system.
Nick Alagna, Aryaka’s global channel chief,
Aryaka Networks, which has been a significant player for multiple years in the SD-WAN market, has significantly changed their business model. The company has changed from their traditional SD-WAN approach to a unified SASE system, where they are able to take a more aggressive to the market.
“We have changed our focus from SaaS as service to SASE, and we have added quite a bit to that approach as a result,” said Nick Alagna, Aryaka’s new global channel chief, who joins Aryaka with over 20 years of experience driving significant growth for leading technology companies and startups. “We have evolved from SD-WAN and built it out so that it is wide and robust.”Aryaka’s updated Unified SASE Service was in their Winter ’25 release.
Alagna indicated that the Aryaka Networks managed SD-WAN is unique from other vendors’ SD-WANs because its infrastructure is made of Layer 2 network connections. Aryaka’s Unified SASE as a Service converges and delivers four critical design elements: Aryaka OnePass Architecture enables distributed policy enforcement through a distributed data plane, unified control plane and single management pane.Aryaka Zero Trust WAN traverses Aryaka’s global private network backbone, which operates in more than 100 countries.The new Aryaka SmartSecure has a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with secure web gateway (SWG), anti-malware and intrusion prevention system (IPS).Flexible Delivery empowers businesses to choose their preferred approach to delivery (Aryaka or third-party) and implementation (managed, co-managed or self-managed).
“What we doing here is part of a major launch of process and packaging,” Alagna said. “The big shifts are on the security side – all SD-WAN plus others like SWG, CASB and DLP. We are able to secure all traffic – all on our own stack, which is extremely reliable. The SmartManage aspect of Aryaka’s SD-WAN provides the foundational abilities that support the SmartServices platform. From a physical standpoint, this consists of the network’s points of presence (PoPs), physical connections, and Aryaka network access points (ANAPs).
In November 2019, Aryaka announced a considerable revision to its SD-WAN marketing strategy, saying the SD-WAN is now heavily integrated with the cloud and has a multi-cloud architecture. Also included in the announcement was the expansion of its SD-WAN for regional deployments rather than just global ones.
“My own background is deep in cybersecurity, and that’s why I’m so bullish on Aryaka’s growth,” Alagna indicated. “We are also leveraging AI to get better at detecting threats.” Alagna will lead the charge in building and scaling Aryaka’s global channel ecosystem, empowering partners to deliver customer value with Aryaka’s Unified SASE solutions. His expertise spans global go-to-market strategies and partner ecosystem development for cutting-edge solutions in cybersecurity and cloud technologies.
Alagna laid out the company’s strategy going forward.
“We are looking to do more in North America, and then build out a global scale,” he said. “We want to double down and help make it successful.”
He indicated they seek customers who are looking for a platform play and a full unified platform.
“We are definitely looking to create more strategic partners – not partner relationships that are a mile wide and very deep,” Alagna said.
This includes integration with Aryaka field teams, which include dedicated channel sales directors, enterprise and commercial sellers, solutions engineers, business development reps and customer success managers working closely with partners in each territory.
“We are also announcing investments in new partnerships, leadership and programs in Asia Pacific region and beyond,” Alagna continued. “Aryaka has entered into a new partnership with network systems integrator Nippon Information and Communication to bring the benefits of fully integrated networking and security to organizations across Japan. Aryaka has also announced a partnership with ASV Platforms, a premium strategic partner for Aryaka across Australia and New Zealand. ASV Platforms designs and delivers cutting-edge cloud-first software and cybersecurity solutions in the Australian and New Zealand markets to help their global customers ensure high performing secure networks. Together, the two will deliver Aryaka’s Unified SASE as a Service offerings to both enterprises and governments in the region.
“At our core, we are looking to build longstanding relationships in a better together strategy,” Alagna stated. “We are channel first, and that will remain our approach to the market.”As a partner-led company, Aryaka understands that an ‘all or nothing’ approach to SASE is impractical for channel partners to recommend to business clients that already have invested in security solutions. With Aryaka, partners now have the technology and service platform to help companies evolve their network security at their own pace regardless of their starting point.”
The Aryaka Channel overdelivered on its plan by nearly 20 percent, and channel pipeline creation at the end of FY ’24 was higher than ever in company history.
