Sorting Fact From Fiction on Network Assessments

FACT: Enterprises Have Complex Networks

In most large and even midsize enterprises, network infrastructure typically includes a blend of legacy and modern technologies. This diversity often results from mergers, system consolidations or the company’s scheduled technology refresh cycles. In many cases, much of that older technology needs to be updated through replacements or upgrades so the business can take full advantage of the features available from newer technologies they have in place.

When a business undergoes a merger or acquisition — or any event that could have a major impact on its technology suite — it’s important for the IT team to understand the network, including how robust and secure it is and what redundancies are in place. When an enterprise acquires an entity, be it a rival or a complimentary business, it will invariably need to integrate with the existing network. This can introduce vulnerabilities if the integration is not thoroughly assessed.

FALLACY: Networking Expectations Have Stayed the Same

In recent years, an increasing number of wireless devices have been connected to networks as the Internet of Things has grown in popularity. These include handheld gadgets, machine monitoring devices, security cameras and more. This can put a strain on a business’s physical and wireless networks.

Depending on the number of connected devices, network performance can suffer, which not only disrupts business operations but also negatively affects employee productivity and overall user satisfaction.

Employees and guests expect seamless Wi-Fi connectivity within business environments, while customers increasingly expect reliable wireless access in retail and hospitality settings. A shopper trying to navigate a large store on the brand’s app can’t do that if there’s no Wi-Fi. People can become significantly frustrated when there is no strong network access, especially in locations that have poor cellular connectivity. In this day and age, we expect Wi-Fi, 5G connectivity or cellular connectivity to be available and working.

To prevent a strain on bandwidth, businesses may consider adding a private 5G network. In addition to reducing the load on the Wi-Fi network, offloading your vital employees devices onto a 5G network rather than having them exist on a shared service can better protect the organization from cyberattacks. Customers and visitors can use the guest Wi-Fi network. The 5G network can also be used for disaster recovery. If the primary network drops, employees can still access vital assets via the private, fail-safe 5G network to ensure continuity of operations.

LEARN MORE: CDW can help your organization find the right network solutions to meet its needs.

FACT: AI Will Impact Network Performance

Artificial intelligence is both a benefit to and a burden on networks. AI can be used to shape, prioritize and redirect traffic on networks almost instantaneously. For example, Cisco is using AI to monitor and optimize networks based on real-time traffic patterns. Business IT teams can prioritize the most important traffic over traffic related to backups, for example.

On the other hand, AI consumption of network bandwidth is increasing. The application of AI and machine learning to existing data sets on the network, the added processing, the transmission of data back and forth, and advanced reporting mechanisms all put additional strain on the network.

FALLACY: Networks Only Need to be Checked for Upgrades

Understanding your network’s health is just as important as understanding your security posture. In fact, it’s as important as understanding the baseline health of your customer relationship management system, your enterprise resource management system or your financial applications. The network is the backbone of every business. It is the way organizations connect all of their systems. Everything your business does runs on the network; if it’s not working properly, then neither is the business.

To optimize your network, you need visibility into it. Start by identifying outdated or end-of-life hardware, then take the steps necessary for rapid improvement. Some of the things to look for during the networking health check include aging network technology that could cause a failure, how well new networking technology works with existing technology when an organization expands and the level of traffic on a network. As you might guess, we think it’s best that organizations get experienced, expert assistance with these health checks.

READ MORE: See how CDW can help your organization with a network upgrade.

FACT: Network Audits Are Basic IT Checks

Conducting regular network audits is one of the most basic IT health checks businesses should be doing. It’s the equivalent of a patient seeing their primary care physician every year for an annual checkup. That’s how critical it is.

It’s not something a business can do once and then move on. Like regular penetration tests that assess an always-changing security posture, networks require continuous attention. As businesses grow, renovate facilities, go through mergers and acquisitions, or integrate new technology devices, each change significantly affects the corporate network. If a business doesn’t have robust network governance and a team that is always monitoring it, a third-party assessment can’t hurt.