In the SD-WAN policy framework, which policy governs routing decisions and distribution of routes?

• A. Data Policy
• B. Security Policy
• C. Access Policy
• D. Control Policy

Answer: (D)

Routing decisions and how routes are distributed across the SD-WAN overlay are governed by the control policy. This policy controls the control plane behavior: which routes are learned, which are redistributed between transports, and how path selection and route advertisements are performed across sites. In other words, it defines how the network decides which paths to use and how those route updates propagate through the network.

Data Policy, by contrast, manages how traffic is treated once routes are installed—things like data-plane forwarding behavior, application-aware steering, QoS, and encryption decisions. Security Policy handles encryption, firewall rules, and other protective measures. Access Policy covers who or what can connect and how authentication is managed.