June 24, 2022
Future-proofing your enterprise network
In today’s digital world, IT managers need secure technologies which prepare business networks for the future. An enterprise network needs to be built to change, both in scale and capacity. A network’s life cycle is characterised by its agility and ability to meet the needs of an ever-evolving data generation.
Prolonging a network’s life cycle ensures that businesses can manage IT costs. Constantly having to rehaul enterprise networks can be a massive drain to budgets. Digital transformation has become the backbone of corporate success, but businesses need to ensure that their networks include enhanced capabilities that can adapt as new requirements emerge.
SEACOM Business offers enterprises a networking solution that is set for success. Through this agile partnership, large organisations can take advantage of our highly skilled network engineers who design tailored solutions.
A future-proof enterprise network is one that can withstand market shocks, cater for a distributed workforce and is secure in the face of cybersecurity threats. SEACOM Business has cloud-ready networking solutions that make South African enterprises globally competitive and ready for whatever the future brings.
Virtualised enterprise network that is ready for the future
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is used in networking to route data traffic via secure preset paths. Although widely used, MPLS has its short-comings. It is difficult and expensive to scale networks. The increased use of cloud computing means that MPLS is no longer a viable option for routing business data in the modern era.
The use of public internet, public clouds and public data centres help to drive down IT costs and increase performance. MPLS is typically a private connection, so it is becoming more common for network engineers to use software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) as an alternative to MPLS. SD-WAN supports expansion into cloud environments, offering a future-proof networking solution.
SD-WAN for a future-ready enterprise network
SD-WAN is a virtualized networking solution that offers high performance and lower costs. As with MPLS, SD-WAN chooses the best path for data traffic, but includes both public and private networks. Using machine learning technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), SD-WAN resolves latency issues and bottlenecks. If part of the network isn’t optimal, SD-WAN chooses an alternative route with no downtime or disruption. This is essential for fluid customer experience and workflow efficiency.
SD-WAN offers excellent visibility into what is happening on a large-scale business network. Centralised management means that IT teams have better control over the whole network, including operational workflows, physical infrastructure and human resources. Configuration can happen remotely within a matter of minutes.
Human error and manual configuration do not have their place in the future. With the increased use of automation, the risk of human error is reduced, meaning that SD-WAN is the perfect networking solution for an AI-driven future.
Cloud-integrated enterprise network
A cloud-based network gives enterprises new levels of scalability. With the pay-per-use pricing structure, as offered by SEACOM Business, enterprises enjoy maximum flexibility with burstable capacity. Sudden changes to traffic volumes at peak times of the year are supported by cloud-orientated business models.
The cloud offers new ways of working; connecting distributed workforces, branches and data centres. Seamless integration of local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) give enterprises better control over workflows. Daily operations, production lines and supply chains can be monitored through the cloud, offering a future-proof approach to interconnectivity.
Evolving customer and workflow demands are supported by the cloud because it is an adaptable environment. SEACOM Business offers tailored cloud services that ensure South African enterprises enjoy the longevity of a cloud-integrated network.
Future-proof for remote work
Remote collaboration has been a new challenge for businesses, particularly in terms of cyber security. The hybrid workplace is here to stay, so enterprises need a future-proof digital ecosystem that ensures secure connectivity while protecting corporate data. As such, more businesses are adopting cloud-based virtual private networks (VPNs) to protect their networks, servers and business data.
With a cloud-based VPN, employees working from any location can connect to the business network. The benefit of a cloud VPN over traditional VPN is streamlined set-up, configuration and management via a centralised console. User permissions and authorizations can be changed without tedious manual intervention.
Cloud VPNs offer high mobility and security, with advanced encryption and next-generation firewalls. As we have all witnessed in the last few years, global events potentially cause a major disruption to business operations. An enterprise network is only sustainable if it can cater for an unpredictable future.
Secure technologies for the future
While digital transformation offers multiple benefits, it also requires a more robust approach to cyber security. Distributed denial of services (DDoS) attacks can cripple big organisations. Large enterprise networks are the main target for such attacks. Aimed at de-stabilizing business networks, hackers launch a DDoS attack to gain access to corporate data or hold a company to ransom.
The management of new threats, including new types of DDoS attack, should be a high priority for large enterprises. Partnering with SEACOM Business gives enterprises access to world-class cyber security experts and solutions. In South Africa, there is a massive skills shortage in IT security, but with the right partnerships, businesses can rest assured that their digital platforms will remain secure.
The data explosion demands a versatile enterprise network that offers programmable solutions via automation. DDoS Protect, which is part of the SEACOM Business security services, uses cloud-based technologies and machine learning to provide the most up-to-date and secure protection for enterprise networks.
Faced with an accelerated pace of change, building a solution that is future-proof is essential for business success. Virtualised networks support rapid innovation with intelligent systems such as SD-WAN and DDoS Protect. Cloud-based VPNs give businesses the flexibility they need to support remote workforces and geographically dispersed locations.
A future-proof enterprise network is virtual, both in terms of performance and security. For more information or to get a quote for enterprise connectivity services, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.
SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.
SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.
For more information on our internet and voice solutions, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Keep an eye on our news section for insightful articles and relevant news stories on African ICT, internet connectivity and our leading cloud and security solutions.
Need internet for your home? Our subsidiary, WonderNet, brings fast and cost-effective broadband internet to all Africans with a fibre-to-the-home offering.