Networking

Can Small Businesses Build Scalable Networks Without Breaking the Bank?

With limited time and resources, IT leaders consider a combination of zero-trust architectures, software-defined-WAN and artificial intelligence.

Donna Marbury

Donna Marbury is a journalist and award-winning social media and content strategist specializing in healthcare, technology, smart cities and culture.

Many small businesses are grappling with how to build scalable, secure and reliable network infrastructure without breaking the bank.

IT leaders want enterprise-grade protection and performance, but they need to achieve it with limited time and resources. Luckily, advances in cloud-managed networking, zero-trust architectures and artificial intelligence-driven tools can help.

But how teams deploy these tools to modernize their network may vary. Experts say the key is to build smart.

“Understand your business needs and don’t lock into rigid solutions,” says Eve-Marie Lanza, senior security solutions marketing at HPE Aruba Networking. “Scalability, integration and simplicity should guide your decisions.”

As AI, automation and cloud-native technologies continue to evolve, the opportunity for small businesses to harness enterprise-grade networking is more achievable. With a thoughtful approach and the right partners, even the smallest business can build strong networks.

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Be Smart About Security

So far this year, small businesses accounted for 43% of all cyberattacks annually. And many report that their teams lack the skill set to keep phishing, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, and insider threats at bay. And a patchwork of disjointed tools can be costly and make businesses even more vulnerable.

“Trying to combat these threats by coordinating security controls across multiple disjointed platforms not only increases cost and complexity but also can lead to inadvertent gaps in protection,” Lanza says. “A simplified approach, especially one that integrates advanced security controls with connectivity, can make it easier for small businesses to enforce protections without bolting on endless solutions.”

Adds Mike Spanbauer, field CTO for security at Juniper Networks, “Limited staff and expertise can make complex security measures overwhelming. AI-driven tools that act as additional ‘manpower’ are crucial for effective defense,” he says.

A simplified approach, especially one that integrates advanced security controls with connectivity, can make it easier for small businesses to enforce protections without bolting on endless solutions.”

Eve-Marie Lanza Senior Security Solutions Marketing, HPE Aruba Networking

Embrace Cloud-Managed Networking

Cloud-managed platforms including Cisco Meraki and HPE Aruba Networking Central are becoming more appealing options because they deliver built-in security without the need for onsite IT.

“These platforms offer centralized policy management, integrated threat defense and data protection — all accessible through an intuitive interface,” Lanza says. “This removes the complexity of managing multiple tools and allows small businesses to scale security as their operations grow.”

Platforms like Meraki “reduce the need for separate security appliances and lower operational expenses. AI-powered automation ensures consistent performance and security across distributed environments,” says Hugo Vliegen, vice president of product management for Cisco SD-WAN and Secure Networking.

Adopt Zero-Trust Network Access Principles

IT leaders are also turning to a zero-trust network access approach, which follows the principle of “never trust, always verify.”

For resource-constrained small and medium businesses, Spanbauer says a practical first step in adopting ZTNA is the widespread implementation of strong multifactor authentication for all applications and users.

“By requiring multiple verification factors, even if a password is compromised, unauthorized access is significantly reduced, aligning with the foundational ‘always verify’ aspect of zero trust,” Spanbauer says. “Small businesses can leverage cloud-based identity management services with granular access controls to start adopting ZTNA principles.”

FIND OUT: Why a network assessment boosts operational efficiency.

Scale Faster With SD-WAN and Wi-Fi 7

For small businesses expanding to multiple sites or embracing hybrid work, SD-WAN offers a flexible and cost-effective solution. “It centralizes network management, optimizes traffic, and embeds security — all while reducing operational overhead,” Spanbauer says.

Because SD-WAN solutions can be managed via the cloud, they’re easier to deploy and maintain, Vliegen says. “Predictive path recommendations and end-to-end visibility ensure network and application performance stay optimal, even across cloud and SaaS environments,” says Vliegen.

Meanwhile, next-gen wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are setting a new bar for performance and protection. “Wi-Fi 7 delivers faster speeds, lower latency and WPA3 security, making it ideal for secure onboarding and heavy application use in small offices,” Vliegen adds.

Fold in Network Security Tools to Manage Access

Many cloud-managed switches and access points now offer simple, user-friendly network access control features, and they are an important step to controlling who has access to a SMB’s network.

“Start by creating separate guest networks and use device profiling to define access rules,” Spanbauer says. “Many tools make this as easy as point and click.”

Firewall as a Service is another option gaining ground, says Lanza. When integrated with ZTNA and other tools via a single dashboard, FWaaS enables enterprise-grade security from anywhere.

“Unlike traditional firewalls that add to IT sprawl, FWaaS protects data and devices across locations without the expense or complexity of appliances,” Lanza adds.

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