EXPERT SPEAK operations . With network management increasingly complex in the new age of remote working , replacing manual interventions with advanced automation and analytics also provides increased visibility from a security perspective from usage through to bandwidth .
Ultimately enterprises are increasingly favouring NaaS offerings as it allows them to outsource the hardware and software components of their networks to a partner to take on the more mundane tasks , enabling their employees to focus on mission-critical , business-enabling work .
Decreasing security risks
Security remains a top concern for all organisations , especially as COVID-19 has pushed networks to support huge remote workforces over the past year .
With NaaS , most providers can ensure the security of the entire voice and data network so that all transactions , businesscritical applications and data are kept safe and secure .
As the number of IoT devices connected to networks continues to grow exponentially , especially during this new era of remote working , control and visibility issues are heightening risks and leaving networks more vulnerable to breaches . If IT staff are stuck spending time troubleshooting , it ’ s unlikely they ’ re able to police the network thoroughly .
In this sense , outsourcing your network management helps alleviate risk as well as workloads . A fully managed network security solution can also eliminate single points of failure and prevent bottlenecks and intrusions . NaaS deployment can help boost protection further by running the most up-to-date versions of security software and ensuring that hotfixes are installed as soon as they become available .
It isn ’ t just protection from external sources that companies need to be worried about . During the pandemic , the flexibility to scale up or down has been helpful as companies ’ business needs have changed . For example , if a small retailer needs to scale
The network now must embrace the Edge , where data is created , captured , and processed . down networking capacity in a retail location and increase online operations instead , a NaaS model allows them to do that . What would have been a security headache for IT teams to organise manually , a NaaS model with embedded security automation allows for a smooth and secure process .
Meeting edge expectations
The increased reliance of organisations on cloud services during the pandemic has resulted in the need for the enterprise network to extend beyond just the data centre and campus offices . This means that the network now must embrace the Edge , where data is created , captured , and processed . Businesses that can efficiently and securely connect to the Edge and leverage the data they collect there will be well positioned for the future . In fact , our research found that 72 % of global IT leaders are already actively using Edge technologies to deliver new outcomes and those with more mature Edge deployments are gaining increased business value from data .
The dramatic expansion of the enterprise network that accompanies Edge activity can strain legacy network operations and management . Fortunately , NaaS presents an opportunity for enterprises to outsource the day-to-day management of the network and gain access to the most advanced hardware and software technology . In fact , IDC expects that NaaS will be a critical enabling platform for extending enterprise networks to the Edge in the coming months and years .
The rise of the NaaS business model has been nothing short of a revolution . Often championed for its flexible approach to keeping expenses down , the subscription service is becoming increasingly recognised for a wealth of other reasons .
Moving past the OPEX versus CAPEX debate , businesses are waking up to the impact that deployment can have on IT staff workloads , stabilising security issues and unlocking Edge potential . •
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS Issue 48 55