What is Secure SD-NIC?

Published Aug 13, 2026

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Secure SD-NIC is a Versa solution that extends the security perimeter directly into compute devices by running VOS at the server or device level. It delivers ZTNA, adaptive microsegmentation, and inline traffic inspection where a network appliance can’t reach – inside multi-tenant data centers and on devices deployed outside enterprise control.

Key takeaways

  • Runs the VOS software stack directly at the server or device level.
  • Delivers ZTNA, adaptive microsegmentation, and inline traffic inspection.
  • Secures VMs and compute infrastructure inside multi-tenant data centers.
  • Extends Zero Trust to untrusted, off-network devices like ATMs and vehicles.
  • Extends the same Secure SD-WAN and SD-LAN architecture into compute.

On this page: Why it mattersHow it worksSecure SD-NIC deployment scenariosSecure SD-NIC & the VersaONE platformFAQ

Why is Secure SD-NIC important?

Traditional network security enforces policy at chokepoints – a firewall appliance, a distributed firewall VM sitting between virtual machines. That works when traffic can be reliably routed through the chokepoint, but two situations break the model. Inside a multi-tenant data center, rerouting every packet to an appliance-based or VM-based firewall adds latency and forwarding complexity at scale. And for devices that operate entirely outside enterprise control – ATMs, tactical field equipment, financial platforms, critical infrastructure – there is no network chokepoint to enforce policy at all, because the device itself is the edge.

Secure SD-NIC closes both gaps by moving enforcement into the compute device itself. Instead of forwarding traffic to a separate security function, the device’s own network interface inspects and enforces policy inline, at the server or device level, extending the same Zero Trust model enterprises already apply to their WAN and LAN.

What is Secure SD-NIC?

Secure SD-NIC runs the same VOS software stack used across all Versa deployments, but at the compute layer rather than on a dedicated branch or data-center appliance. This unlocks ZTNA, adaptive microsegmentation, and network and data security enforced at the server itself, rather than at a separate network chokepoint. Because policy enforcement lives inside the device’s network interface, traffic doesn’t need to be rerouted elsewhere for inspection – the SD-NIC inspects it inline, in place.

This server-level placement is what distinguishes Secure SD-NIC from Versa’s other networking solutions: Secure SD-WAN protects the branch-to-branch and branch-to-cloud WAN, Secure SD-LAN protects the campus and branch local network, and Secure SD-NIC extends that same consistent policy model down into individual compute devices and data-center servers.

Secure SD-NIC deployment scenarios

Secure SD-NIC addresses two primary use cases. In multi-tenant data centers, it embeds security enforcement directly into the server with inline traffic inspection, eliminating the need to reroute traffic to appliance-based firewalls or distributed firewall VMs. This improves performance and simplifies traffic forwarding paths, since all VMs and compute infrastructure on a server are secured at the SD-NIC itself rather than at a shared, external enforcement point.

In untrusted environments – devices deployed outside enterprise control, such as ATMs, tactical environments, financial platforms, and critical infrastructure – Secure SD-NIC provides inline inspection alongside connectivity, extending security policies and Zero Trust controls natively to the device or vehicle. In both scenarios, the goal is the same: consistent policy enforcement without depending on a separate network appliance being reachable in the traffic path.

Secure SD-NIC & the VersaONE platform

Secure SD-NIC is one of the networking solutions under Versa’s software-defined networking umbrella, alongside Secure SD-WAN and Secure SD-LAN, and it specifically extends that architecture to include data centers and untrusted locations. Like Versa’s other networking services, it runs on VOS and is managed through a unified console alongside security services, so policy defined for the WAN and LAN edge can be extended consistently down to the compute layer rather than managed as a separate silo.

Frequently asked questions

What does Secure SD-NIC actually run on?

VOS – the same Versa Operating System software stack used across Versa’s branch, data-center, and cloud deployments – but running at the server or device level instead of on a dedicated network appliance, so enforcement happens inside the compute device’s own network interface.

What problem does Secure SD-NIC solve in a data center?

It removes the need to reroute traffic to appliance-based firewalls or distributed firewall VMs for inspection. Instead, Secure SD-NIC enforces security inline at the server, securing all VMs and compute infrastructure on that server directly and simplifying the traffic forwarding path.

Can Secure SD-NIC protect devices that aren’t on the corporate network?

Yes. For untrusted environments such as ATMs, tactical equipment, financial platforms, and critical infrastructure, Secure SD-NIC provides inline inspection and connectivity, extending Zero Trust security policies natively to the device or vehicle even when it sits outside enterprise network control.

How does Secure SD-NIC relate to Secure SD-WAN and Secure SD-LAN?

They share the same underlying VOS architecture and policy model, just applied at different layers. Secure SD-WAN covers the WAN, Secure SD-LAN covers the campus and branch LAN, and Secure SD-NIC extends that same consistent enforcement down into individual compute devices and data-center servers.

Does Secure SD-NIC replace a traditional firewall?

Within its use cases, yes – it embeds the enforcement point in the device itself rather than a separate firewall appliance or VM. This is targeted at multi-tenant data centers and untrusted devices specifically, where routing traffic to a conventional firewall is impractical or impossible.

More on Secure SD-NIC

If you want to learn more, these are sources we trust.

Versa Networks: products Versa Networks: secure SD-WAN Versa Academy
The vendor’s product pages, including where Secure SD-NIC fits among Versa’s networking solutions. The sibling WAN service Secure SD-NIC shares its Zero Trust architecture with. Training and labs covering Versa’s Zero Trust and software-defined networking portfolio.

If you’re reading about Secure SD-NIC, these are worth looking at next.

Microsegmentation Secure SD-WAN Secure SD-LAN
The granular isolation technique Secure SD-NIC applies at the server and device level. The WAN security architecture Secure SD-NIC extends down into compute devices. The campus LAN security architecture Secure SD-NIC shares its policy model with.