The boundaries between the technology “Ops” disciplines are starting to blur and converge, reminding us of the alignment that happens in a total solar eclipse. In this blog post, we will explore the convergence of three entities: NetOps, Telecom and Secops, and the potential implications for your business.
Businesses have always relied on efficient and secure network operations (NetOps), telecommunications operations (Telecom Ops), and security operations (SecOps) to ensure smooth operations. The convergence of these operations changes how organizations manage their networks and safeguard their data, adding exciting new capabilities.
Several factors drive the convergence of NetOps, Telecom Ops, and SecOps. First, the rise of cloud computing and software-defined networking (SDN) has led to a more integrated and centralized approach to network management. As infrastructure becomes more virtualized, the boundaries between traditional network operations and telecommunications operations begin to blur. Furthermore, the growing complexity and scale of cybersecurity threats have necessitated collaboration between NetOps, Telecom Ops, and SecOps teams. By sharing insights, data, and expertise, organizations can better detect and respond to emerging security risks.
Implications for Businesses
The convergence of NetOps, Telecom Ops, and SecOps presents numerous benefits for businesses.
First, convergence enables a more holistic approach to network management and security. By breaking down silos and promoting cross-functional collaboration, organizations can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. Exciting new opportunities emerge, such as advanced and automatic network management.
Here is a decent recent MIT podcast and discussion on the subject: Technology and Industry Convergence: A Historic Opportunity from MIT professor and CSAIL director Daniela Rus and Accenture’s Kathleen O’Reilly. The point they make is that “Purposeful sustainability, insightful AI, and a meaningful metaverse can be had by merging industries and innovations.”
Now that sounds exciting — having “Insightful AI” and the “meaningful metaverse” of shared data. Is that overly ambitious language? We think not.
In addition, this technological convergence also facilitates the adoption of emerging technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT). As these technologies become more prevalent, the ability to manage and secure interconnected networks will be paramount. For example, we formerly wrote about how to protect your IoT devices, see Network OUI Squatters and IoT Devices. The convergence of NetOps, Telecom Ops, and SecOps provides a framework for effectively addressing such challenges.
Don’t forget to ensure all “converging technologies” and hence all communications systems stay safe, with a comprehensive Attack Surface Management (ASM) strategy.
Finally, the convergence allows organizations to leverage data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) for network management and security purposes. By combining data from different operational domains, businesses can gain deeper insights into network performance, identify vulnerabilities, and proactively address potential issues.
PathSolutions TotalView is a comprehensive NetOps/SecOps and Telecom Ops management tool that is a convergent technology. If you wish, you can even change your TotalView dashboard(s) to be "converged", meaning you put any monitoring tools on your dashboard that you need to monitor from a selection of NetOps, Telecom Ops and SecOps widgets. We made it easier than ever with this year's release of TotalView 14, and we continue to believe that comprehensive coverage with automated network analysis results in superior network intelligence.
