Excellent connectivity is the backbone on which all digital transformation hinges. To utilise the new tools and modernised infrastructures that will keep us productive, agile and competitive, we depend on reliable, fast networks that can fend off any security threat.
Has your organisation added to its IT infrastructure and technology estate in the last couple of years but made minimal changes to its network architecture? Your connectivity solution may be at risk of impacting continuity someday soon.
As something that functions almost entirely out of sight, it’s easy to forget the strategic importance of connectivity, and its modernisation can get overlooked. If a connectivity conversation is long overdue in your organisation, it’s vital to ensure your network connectivity isn’t exposing your organisation to these three critical continuity risks.
1. UNPLANNED DOWNTIME
In many cases, an application that is running too slowly may as well not be running at all. Availability might seem like an obvious one when it comes to network continuity.. But, in a post-pandemic world, budget and strategic focus are gradually tilting more heavily toward integrations, applications and services that keep our staff highly productive.
On its own, this is no bad thing. However, as more change happens above the network layer and more time passes, your connectivity solution may begin teetering on the edge of serious downtime. And where’s the good in productivity if systems access is off the table?
The downtime effect may be sudden and severe, or perhaps smaller increments of downtime steadily weaken your continuity position. Either way, be diligent about your network’s vulnerability to downtime and take swift action to increase its speed, reliability and resilience.
This action could comprise minor reconfigurations or a new networking connectivity solution altogether. Read about Node4’s flexible products and consultancy solutions here.
2. SECURITY BREACHES
Security is built in layers with a network at the pyramid’s base. If a dogged cyber attacker intends to target your organisation, disrupting your network may cause all the cards to fall. As a result, network attacks are highly incentivising.
And, as cyber attackers hone their focus on the mid-market (it’s easier to avoid detection by targeting more businesses with more minor attacks), the likelihood of becoming a victim skyrockets.
Your network could be an enabler or a hindrance for a would-be attacker. Either providing unrestricted and unfiltered connectivity to all IT assets within your business, or by implementing a more intelligent network such as Secure SD-WAN or Zero Trust Network Access, your network could be an additional and effective barrier to lateral attack movement.
Also, the network never lies – for example, it’s quite common for malware, ransomware and other attack vectors to cover their tracks. If you harness the visibility and data from a modern network, you can empower your business to shorten the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) should you fall victim.
There’s never a wrong time to re-evaluate your organisation’s network connectivity security posture. Doing so promptly could save you from a significant business continuity incident. As a starting point, confirm with your internal teams and security partners whether the following network security measures are in place. Again, they could save you from a continuity disaster:
- DDOS Protection
- Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)
- Unified Threat Management (UTM)
- Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Network Access Control (NAC)
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
3. HAMPERED BUSINESS AGILITY
First-class network connectivity can empower your growth. Conversely, poor network connectivity will hold you back.
Let’s say that your organisation needs to pivot without delay, perhaps in response to market pressure, to prepare for new regulations, or to find efficiencies quickly. Would your network cope if you faced any of these scenarios today? Could it handle the increased workloads securely? Could it scale without losing performance? Can it reach new sites and are your staff able to work as before?
Only your organisation can answer these questions. A network that’s slow to evolve can pose serious continuity threats and put your business on the back foot for an unknown length of time. However, implementing the first stage of change is straightforward with zero-touch, agile and scalable solutions such as Node4’s SD-WAN.
NETWORK CONTINUITY AND THE BIG PICTURE
It’s always helpful to remind ourselves about our business technology big picture. Connectivity and network can be easily taken for granted, despite putting in so much heavy lifting as mission-critical IT.
To discuss ideas for introducing more resilience into your business with network modernisation, arrange a chat with a Node4 expert. Email info@node4.co.uk, and we’ll be back in touch shortly.