Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 77 | Page 71

t cht lk next generation of wireless networking to become even more agile . Private 5G networks offer numerous performance advantages over other on-premises wireless technologies , including faster data transmission , lower latency , greater security and the ability to connect to more devices in a defined area .

t cht lk next generation of wireless networking to become even more agile . Private 5G networks offer numerous performance advantages over other on-premises wireless technologies , including faster data transmission , lower latency , greater security and the ability to connect to more devices in a defined area .

The technology can cover anywhere from a few thousand square feet to dozens of square kilometres . Its ability to securely power robotics , autonomous guided vehicles ( AGV ) and Virtual Reality ( VR ) remote devices and sensors support the advanced research projects for education and business entities , as well as protecting vital intellectual property .
Data storage for flexible working
In today ’ s digital economy , everyone wants to access data quickly and securely . Digitalising data via cloud-based applications creates more flexibility and navigates restrictions – such as location , time and type of device – on how and when we can access our data . Adopting cloud technologies also enable organisations to scale their storage capacity to ensure they have space readily available for their client work and documentation . Cloud storage can also be continuously monitored , maintained and improved , in comparison to local storage where the risk of security issues is much greater .
Once an organisation adopts cloud-based applications , its Wide Area Network ( WAN ) architecture experiences a huge increase in traffic accessing the applications from various locations . A WAN ’ s role was originally to connect offices , operations and data centres to each other . Now its role is more complex . It needs to connect multiple types of users with multiple types of devices to multiple cloud environments .
Software-Defined Wide Area Network ( SD-WAN ) technology combines several networking technologies – including fibre , 4G and 5G – to dynamically choose and prioritise the best available path for efficient data delivery , improved user experience and reduced IT costs . It also allows network administrators to use bandwidth more efficiently and can help ensure high levels of performance for critical applications without sacrificing security or data privacy . The cloud is just one of many key drivers for our next-generation networks .
The networks of tomorrow
Emerging next-generation technologies bring innovative capabilities that can change everyday functionality in networking . To ensure organisations can continue their own digital growth , they need to utilise these technologies to power their future networking , as well as consider the network trends that are becoming standard across the industry . This includes Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and Machine Learning ( ML ) technologies that are now becoming embedded within all the applications , services and networks we use , proving the capability to augment network operations and management tasks .
The proliferation of devices , data and people have made network infrastructure more complex than ever before to manage . The amount of data being generated is huge and cannot be a managed by human interference alone .
Without the right AI driven operations strategy , organisations will not be able to keep pace with their stringent network requirements . AI-driven analytics can allow for more informed assistance for operational management and support on network performance and optimisation on device issues . In turn , this frees up staff to work on the missioncritical tasks that matter the most , especially in emergency operations .
The growth of networking , connected devices and cloud technologies not only provide benefits for companies , but it also creates a greater threat landscape against them . Zero Trust offers an effective strategy to neutralise these AI-based threats . Zero Trust architecture adapts to dynamic modern work paradigms with stringent access controls , application aware , continuous monitoring and data-centric security . Its extensive identity verification process means that users can only access the data and systems relevant to their position within the organisation .
Bringing the network together
Connected , smart devices are prevalent in our workplaces and operational environments . The increasing number of connected devices is also increasing the complexity of network management and IT security risks . Legacy or traditional networks struggle to cope with this rapid expansion , the associated growth in bandwidth , plus the migration of data and applications to the cloud .
It is now essential that organisations opt for a networking solution that brings together the best-ofbreed new generation of networking technologies . It is paramount that they work with the right partners that have the wealth of knowledge to bring together Wi-Fi , 5G Private Networks , SD-WAN and cloud technologies seamlessly , and protect them with ultra-reliable security from multiple leading vendors . p
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