Whatdo you get when a massively distributed workforce tries tosecurely connect to a massively distributed set of applications? Massive complexity.In light of this, our latest annual Global Networking Trends Report is focused on how IT leaders and networking professionals are dealing with the challenges of connectingtheir increasingly dispersed workers to their increasingly distributed applications.And coming as a surprise to no one, when 2,500 IT leaders and professionals across 13 countries were surveyed, they verified that these challenges were their number one networking priority for 2023. 

In addition to presenting the key trends from the survey results, thereport includes six areas of essential guidance-guidance that focuses on one ultimate outcome: how best to provide distributed workforces with consistent, secure, anywhere connectivity to applicationsina multicloud environment.We also asked Cisco experts to share their point of view on how organizations should implement this essential guidance. Here are a few points I found particularly interesting. 

Use of Multiple Clouds is on the Rise

Thereport validates that organizations are, indeed,moving more of their apps and workloads to multiplecloud providers.But abigger revelationwasjust how manydifferent cloud providers organizations are using:92% usemore than two andan incredible34% host workloads with more than four cloud providers(Figure 1). Atthe same time, one in four are using more than 20 SaaS applications. And when asked why, many respondents identifiedagility as thebiggestmotivation for moving to multiple cloud services, citing it as more importantthan either cost or resilience. 

Figure 1. The use of multiple cloud and SaaS providers has become the norm.  Source: 2023 Global Networking Trends Report.

Lack of Operational Consistency is an Obstacle

The reportfound that two in fiverespondentscitelack of consistency acrossnetworking, security,and cloud domainsas a big obstacle to securely connectingusers to cloud resources.At the root of this problem is the realitythat many IT organizations still have network and security teams that plan andoperate independently. This leavesmany ITleaders challenged when trying to deliver betterand more secure user experienceswith theirexisting technology anddividedoperational boundaries.

Integrate Networking and Security from Device to Cloud  

Almost half of the respondents identified a fully integrated networking and security architecture in the form of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) as theirprimarychoice forconnecting branches and remote users to multicloudapplications within the nexttwoyears.They reportedwidespread plans to integrate cloud-basedsoftware-defined WAN (SD-WAN)connectivity and cloud securityin orderto deliver consistent secure access tobothSaaS-and IaaS-based services.  

Simplify Connectivity to Multiple Clouds 

As the number of clouds increases, the ability toprovideconsistent and efficient connectivity management and security acrossthemis becoming increasingly important.To improve connectivity to cloud-based applications from all locations, 53% of respondents said they are prioritizingSD-WANintegration with cloud services, SaaS,and middle-mile providers (Figure 2). Why? To apply policy consistently, automate connectivity, andbetter secure the applicationexperience. 

Figure 2. SD-WAN Integrations with IaaS, SaaS, and Middle-mile Providers are Vital for a Better IT and User Experience.  Source: 2023 Global Networking Trends Report.

You Can't Manage What You Can't See 

Ultimately responsible for end-user experiences, IT is increasingly challenged to deliver desired levels of service. With the majority of transactions either originating or terminating outside of traditional enterprise boundaries, IT lacks visibility into the full network path. The digital supply chain is increasingly complex, composed of multiple providers and hops that are typically invisible to IT teams. With the Internet increasingly becoming the new core network, it's no wonder that IT teams need help. In response to this need for greater visibility, 51% of IT professionals reported prioritizing the adoption of end-to-end network telemetry and visibility to achieve proactive detection and remediation of issues. 

Guiding, influencing, or implementing your own organization's direction for networking is no easy feat. Explore this year's report to learn more about how your peers are connecting and securing their increasingly distributed personnel to increasingly distributed apps and data. 

 

What is your SASE strategy? What does your own journey look like?

Find out more in the 2023 Global Networking Trends Report