Cybercrime is expected to exceed $10.5 trillion in 2025. To put that into perspective, the total U.S. GDP in 2023 was $21 trillion. So why is cybercrime so profitable? The answer lies in the ‘perfect storm’ of conditions we currently face. Today’s organizations are totally reliant on their digital assets to function. This dependence gives bad actors the opportunity to extract data, digital assets, and money once they are inside a network—often without human intervention.

As businesses increasingly adopt Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions to enhance connectivity and performance across their branch offices, a common question arises: “Do I just need Security Service Edge (SSE) security for the branch?” The answer is a resounding “no”. While SSE provides essential security features, it is not sufficient on its own.

The AI hype is undeniable. Buzzwords like ‘machine learning’, ‘deep learning’, and ‘artificial intelligence’ have permeated boardrooms, media, and tech conferences. However, recent market movements suggest that AI might be at the ‘peak of inflated expectations’. Nvidia, a leading player in AI hardware, has seen its stock plummet by about 20% over the last month (8th July to 8th August 2024).

The rapid evolution of work models and security requirements has prompted questions about the relevance of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology. In their insightful report, ‘Is SD-WAN Dead?’ Jonathan Forest and Andrew Lerner of Gartner explore these dynamics, concluding that while SD-WAN is far from obsolete, its role is shifting.

It’s 2 am on a Saturday, you’re sound asleep, and suddenly your phone lights up, ringing and buzzing loudly on your nightstand. You know it won’t be good news, but it’s worse than you could have imagined—your network and systems have suffered a ransomware attack. As you quickly change and start driving into the office, you keep asking yourself one question—didn’t we pass our annual security audit three months ago with flying colors?

In the ever-evolving landscape of networking, there are a plethora of three-letter acronyms that make up the wonderful alphabet soup that is a part of every engineer’s vocabulary. Whether it’s TCP, UDP, SSH, or one of the many other dozens, one acronym is commonly left out of the discussion: DDI. These seemingly simple letters are often overlooked or rarely thought of, but they are a crucial foundation for managing a stable, secure, and efficient network.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have the potential to revolutionize IT infrastructure and operations (ITOps) by automating routine tasks, enhancing system reliability, and improving efficiency. However, the term “Artificial Intelligence” can sometimes be misleading in this context. A more accurate description might be “Automated Intelligence” because these tools often automate predefined tasks and processes rather than exhibit true cognitive intelligence.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, AI-powered attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. To counter these threats, organizations must adopt advanced security technologies that leverage AI technology as part of a multi-layered approach to security.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the year 2024 presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, the need for robust security measures has never been more critical. New and emerging threats posed by Generative AI, Unsecured API integrations, agile cloud environments, and easy access to sophisticated nefarious code creation are driving the increase in the frequency, volume, and success rate for cybercriminals.

Let’s set the table a bit. As you know, in the U.S., Thanksgiving is coming up. And recently I had a conversation with my 83-year-old mother about Thanksgiving. Of course, we came across the inevitable parallels between Thanksgiving dinner and network security! That’s what you would be thinking when talking about Thanksgiving dinner with someone right? Before we dive into the feast, let me set the table.