"Network design is being transformed faster than ever, as firms move to meet workers in new environments, apply simplified security on top of complex infrastructure and embrace cloud-native work. This article is part two of a three-part series, exploring the trends reshaping networking. In part one, we unpacked the rise of cloud-native networking, where service meshes, , and open standards are reshaping connectivity. However, agility alone is not enough. As threats multiply and data spreads across clouds, branches, and home offices, networks must be secure by design. This means building in principles, embracing frameworks like secure access service edge (SASE) and security service edge (SSE) , as well as preparing for a quantum-safe future."
"Zero trust must be the baseline The idea that a strong perimeter can protect networks is no longer credible. Remote work, SaaS adoption, and multi-cloud strategies mean attackers can exploit weaknesses far beyond the corporate firewall. Zero trust flips the model, requiring continuous verification of every user, device, and workload. "Zero trust isn't a buzzword, it's a survival strategy," says Axel Maisonneuve of the BSV Association. He cites the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack as a stark reminder that a single weak login can bring down critical infrastructure. "The biggest barriers are not technical, but cultural: moving from 'inside equals safe' to 'every access must be verified, always.' That shift requires leadership buy-in and a willingness to rethink legacy assumptions about trust.""
"Kevin Curran, professor of cybersecurity at Ulster University, tells ITPro that while zero trust is realistic, organizations "typically struggle most with identity management, followed by network segmentation""
Network design is shifting rapidly as organizations adapt to remote work, distributed environments, and cloud-native architectures. Simplified security must be layered atop increasingly complex infrastructure while embracing frameworks such as SASE and SSE and preparing for quantum-safe cryptography. Zero trust is required as a baseline, enforcing continuous verification of users, devices, and workloads and replacing perimeter-based assumptions. Cultural change and leadership commitment are essential to move from implicit trust to continuous verification. Identity management and network segmentation are common practical barriers that must be addressed to make secure-by-design networking effective.
Read at IT Pro
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