Virgin Media Business SD WAN & SASE Cybersecurity Solutions

Virgin Media Business SD WAN Solution: Comparisons, Review, Benefits, Use Cases, Pros & Cons

Author:Netify Research Team

If you have questions about Virgin Media Business and how their capability is aligned to your needs, email the Netify research team. UK: uk@netify.co.uk North America: northamerica@netify.com

(Please use the UK email for ROW - Rest of the World - questions or inquiries)

Netify Review

Virgin Media is suited to businesses that require fully managed SD WAN and SASE security services at a competitive price. They offer end to end managed services as well as DIY for SASE, cybersecurity, and both the SD WAN underlay and overlay. This solution has offerings for any size enterprise either global or domestic and also provides services for businesses within the public sector. The Virgin Media SD WAN offering utilizes Versa Networks solutions and Zscaler security, both of which are Leaders in the Gartner Magic Quadrant. This provider’s offering is available at competitive rates though previous users note a lack of granular control relative to some competitors. Virgin Media’s solution is also limited by the use of single SD WAN and SASE vendors. Though this helps keep their price point lower, it also restricts customer choice of vendors and should be taken into consideration when evaluating potential providers.

About Virgin Media Business

Virgin Media Business (a subsidiary of Virgin Media Ltd.) was launched in 2010 and has its Head Office in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom. In June 2021 Virgin Media merged with Telefonica’s O2 to enhance their respective mobile and broadband offerings.

What are Virgin Media's Solutions?

• Business Broadband: Virgin Media offer their Voom Fiber broadband as a super fast broadband solution for business, including 4G Start-up and 4G Back-up. This comes in a number of packages.
• Internet Leased Lines (DIA): Clients are offered Internet leased lines with a dedicated Internet connection direct into client sites. The solution comes with integrated Cisco cybersecurity, constant monitoring from Virgin Media’s in-house engineers and symmetrical upload and download speeds. 
• Connecting Sites and VPNs: Virgin Media’s VPN solution is designed to allow clients to secure applications (such as intranets) across multiple sites. The service is offered UK wide direct from Virgin Media and globally via partners. VPN solutions can connect to IPVPN, SD WAN, Ethernet VPN and Ethernet Point-to-Point. 
• Voice over IP (VoIP) Solutions: Virgin Media will move communication tools to the cloud, integrating them with existing infrastructure. 
• SIP Trunking: SIP trunking optimizes secure data connections such as IP Virtual Private Networks or Managed Internet Access, meaning that only one connection is required for data tasks and voice calls.

What is the Virgin Media SD WAN Solution?

Virgin Media’s SD WAN solution is based on Versa Networks, providing both overlay and underlay as a fully managed bundle. The software overlay features include routing, firewalls, load balancing, encryption, resilience and application optimization. A number of hardware difference devices such as network terminating equipment, modems, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) with Layer 2 routing, storage and switching are included in the offering. 

Because Virgin Media’s SD WAN solution includes managed services for both underlay and overlay, as well as offering optimization and support for deployment. Virgin Media deploy SD WAN in three stages, allowing them to provide granular support throughout the entire process. First, clients can choose between an online demonstration, or a full SD WAN trial at chosen client sites, allowing Virgin Media’s engineers to configure an architecture in line with business needs. Second, the SD WAN engineers will support clients as they migrate to SD WAN and move applications to the cloud and finally Virgin Media will provide continuing support for the SD WAN network, with constant monitoring and online support from the SD WAN Knowledge Base for online advice and how-to guides. Because the solution is single-vendor, clients can communicate with Virgin Media as a single point of contact without the need for multiple providers and vendors.

What is the Virgin Media SASE security solution?

Virgin Media is partnered with Zscaler to create a SASE framework powered by the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. The SASE solution includes a cloud firewall, Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), cloud sandbox and Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP), with secure remote access functions. Further cybersecurity features include advanced protection, URL filtering, file type controls, cloud app control and antivirus. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange improves migrations to the cloud by working across SD WAN, IPVPN, WAN, public Internet connections and mobile. Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) offers clients data protection and secure branch connectivity for the Internet using local Internet breakouts. 

For more information, see our vendor listing for Zscaler here.

How does Virgin Media access cloud vendors?

Virgin Media are access agnostic and provide connectivity for a majority of cloud providers. Cloud Connect uses a VPN connection to create secure links to providers such as Azure and AWS. Cloud security is offered using a cloud-based zero trust security feature provided by the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange (see, What is the Virgin Media SASE Security Solution?). 

Virgin Media also offer a cloud-based suite of chat, voice, video and contact center solutions delivered from 8X8 Cloud Communications cloud platform, with options to integrate existing cloud applications. The solution features a contact center program called Experience Communications as a Service (XCaaS) with the capability to integrate multiple different applications. Further, applications remain in a secure environment as they are stored in a single location with management software and visibility into customer behavior patterns. Virgin Media provide management for the solution and work as a single point of contact.

Does Virgin Media offer WAN acceleration and optimization?

Virgin Media offer application optimization, which allows large organizations to access cloud applications, data and services with improved efficiency.

How does Virgin Media support remote users?

Virgin Media provide SD WAN based on Versa Networks, and therefore support for remote users is provided by the Versa Secure Access Solution (see our listing for Versa Networks here). 

Security for remote users is provided by Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), removing the need for a VPN solution. Zero trust is provided from on-premises locations to data centers and is cloud delivered with instant deployment. Application invisibility removes the need to bring users on-net or expose IP addresses, providing application specific connectivity. 

Additionally, Cloud Voice offers a suite of call features, support for video meetings and instant messaging with integrated next generation security. The solution is recommended for remote workers who remain at a fixed home office location.

What is the Virgin Media managed, co-managed and DIY services solution?

Virgin Media will cover network underlay costs for the first 6 months as well as providing support to customers through consultation, set up and management. Virgin Media offer both a DIY and Managed solution. The managed solution features hardware, software and connectivity support provisioned by Virgin Media as well as SD WAN monitoring, implementation and management on behalf of the customer through a Virgin Media technology partner. The Virgin Media DIY SD WAN solution enables customers to self manage their solution, including implementation, monitoring, management as well as connectivity, software and hardware. This allows businesses to maintain compliance in industries when regulations require complete in-house network management.

What Reporting and Management is available via the Virgin Media Portal?

Virgin Media offer a virtual dashboard via their partnership with Versa Networks that provides control and visibility across the SD WAN at an individual application level.

What is the Virgin Media Business SLA?

Below is a table displaying the main focus points of the Virgin Media Dedicated Internet Access  (DIA) Service Level Agreement (SLA).