Cisco has released updates to its SD-WAN platform, aiming to simplify day-to-day operations for IT teams.

The release, which spans Catalyst SD-WAN 20.18 and Meraki MX OS 19.2, focuses on reducing configuration complexity and consolidating network and security tools that traditionally required separate management interfaces.

The updates include features focusing on seamless cloud integration.

Through existing Transit Gateways (TGWs) on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco customers can now use Cloud OnRamp automation to connect their SD-WAN to their cloud space.

Cisco's Catalyst 8000V virtual router now supports Oracle Cloud Infrastructure with up to 10 Gb/s encrypted throughput, while Google Cloud deployments gain access to N4 and N2 compute instances.

Cisco has also introduced a Cloud OnRamp UX 2.0 workflow that enables its SD-WAN routers to automatically monitor and optimize performance for both standard and custom applications, selecting optimal paths across cloud workloads.

“The cloud is no longer a destination – it’s an integral part of the enterprise network,” Sunakshi Tickoo, a Cisco product marketing manager, wrote in a blog post. “Our latest updates ensure your SD-WAN seamlessly extends to and optimizes connectivity across multicloud environments.”

The multicloud updates mark yet another shift in the vendor tailoring its SD-WAN offerings toward multicloud networking, despite analyst suggestions late last year that the market had lost initial momentum.

On the security front, Cisco has integrated its Catalyst SD-WAN Manager with Cisco Security Cloud Control, allowing security teams to manage branch office firewall policies from a single dashboard rather than switching between separate network and security interfaces.

The update introduces custom signature sets for intrusion prevention systems, designed to “empower security teams” to tailor firewall policies to their specific threat environments, instead of relying on generic out-of-the-box configurations.

Cisco also added version control for security policies, which allows IT administrators to create versioned copies of firewall rules, perform one-click rollbacks, and compare policy versions. The vendor claims this will help to reduce recovery time when policy changes cause issues across multiple branch locations.

Beyond cloud and security, the Cisco release introduces several management features aimed at reducing deployment and troubleshooting time.

The release also includes a global search function that provides access to devices, templates, policies, and logs across Cisco’s SD-WAN environment. A new Day-0 manager tool, meanwhile, aims to get new deployments up and running with ease through a simplified setup process.

“This new release of Cisco SD-WAN isn’t just about keeping pace – it’s about equipping your IT and network teams with the tools they need to stay ahead of the pace of change,” Tickoo wrote. “Whether you’re rolling out new branches, integrating multicloud services, or evolving your security strategy, these updates are purpose-built to help you deliver secure, high-performing connectivity, anywhere, anytime.”