Network infrastructures have long been the backbone of digitalisation. Reliable, functional – and mostly just there. Rarely were they seen as a strategic factor. But that has fundamentally changed. Today, they are at the heart of every digital transformation. They determine a company’s ability to innovate, its resilience, and ultimately its revenue. A recent report by Cisco makes it clear how costly and risky network failures can be, and what companies need to do to prepare for the future.
Outages Get Expensive: Numbers That Speak Clearly
Cisco’s survey of more than 8,000 IT and business decision-makers in 30 countries reveals the full extent: Network disruptions are more than just annoying. They pose a genuine business risk. 77% of respondents experienced at least one major outage in the past two years. These numbers show that networks are no longer merely cost centres. They are critical to a company’s success or failure.
The causes of these outages vary: overloads, cyberattacks, but also human errors in configuration. Software issues are also common. Particularly concerning: more than half of companies report direct revenue losses following such outages. It’s clear: networks are not just about technology. They are business-critical and indispensable.
Networks as Value Drivers: Recognising Opportunities
Networks can also deliver real value if used strategically. Many companies are already realising that their networks create new opportunities – higher customer satisfaction, better processes, and more room for innovation. Nearly all respondents believe that modern networks will directly impact their success in the coming year by generating new revenue streams, reducing outages, and lowering costs.
Technological Change Creates New Demands
A major driver of this change is the technology itself. Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud services, and the Internet of Things – all these place new demands on networks. Data must be processed in real time. Connections must be resilient, secure, and scalable. According to the Cisco survey, 94% of respondents believe that these technologies will soon significantly impact their networks. And nearly all agree without a modern network, digital transformation cannot succeed.
Yet reality often falls short of expectations. Many companies still struggle with fragmented network environments, lack of automation, and manual processes. These gaps not only waste time and efficiency, but they also make networks more vulnerable to attacks and errors. Only a few companies actively use AI-based networking technologies, such as automated error detection, segmentation, or adaptive control. Many still operate in the traditional mode: reactive, isolated, and labour-intensive.
One example of how network security can not only reduce risk but also create real added value is a recent project with one of our clients, a mid-sized manufacturing company. We implemented automated security processes – for example, for detecting and isolating potential threats and manage patches. This significantly reduced incident response times and almost eliminated repetitive manual tasks. This not only eased the burden on internal IT resources but also reduced human error. Significant cost savings were also achieved. For this company, investing in modern automation solutions paid off not just for security reasons but also financially.
Security Landscape: Networks as a Popular Target
A growing concern is the cybersecurity threat landscape. Networks are the foundation for nearly all processes and data. That’s exactly why they are particularly attractive targets for attackers. Failing to act early risks not only data loss but the stability of entire business operations. 98% of decision-makers view secure networks as business-critical. The awareness is there. Now it’s time to act.
Rethinking Networks
To make networks truly future-proof, a new perspective is needed. They must no longer be seen merely as technical infrastructure. They are a platform for innovation, security, and business success. IT leaders and executives must work together to develop a vision that goes beyond basic functionality. The aim is to make networks intelligent, adaptive, and resilient. Automation, AI, scalability, and security, all of these are inseparably linked.
Another key point: network security must not be an afterthought. It must be embedded from the very beginning. Segmentation, monitoring, and automated threat detection must be firmly integrated.
People also play an important role. In many IT departments, everyone still works in silos. Networking, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cloud often operate separately, without shared goals or a common data foundation. Establishing new forms of collaboration and building targeted knowledge enables companies to respond to challenges more quickly and reliably.
Transparency And Automation as a Key
Two elements make the difference, as seen in nearly all successful strategies:
- A complete overview of all network segments is essential, including cloud, hybrid models, and remote structures.
- This transparency must enable automated actions, whether in response to performance issues, security incidents, or changing business requirements.
Investments and Outlook: What Matters Most Now
The good news: most companies have recognised the problem. Over 90% plan to increase their network investments in the coming years. But money alone isn’t enough. What matters is that networks are treated with the same importance as cloud strategies, cybersecurity architecture, or customer experience.
Leading companies are already working with AI-native networks. These networks learn independently, adapt, and detect threats immediately. This creates infrastructure that is not only stable but actively drives the business forward.
Those who wait too long risk falling behind, both technologically and economically. Today, a reliable, secure, and scalable network is no longer optional. Especially when AI enters the equation, it becomes essential.
The Cisco study delivers more than just numbers. It sends a clear message: The question is no longer IF networks need to be modernised. It’s only a matter of WHEN and HOW. Those who hesitate too long will end up paying high costs and jeopardising their company’s future.
A secure, stable, and intelligent network infrastructure determines tomorrow’s success. Our experts are happy to advise you individually and help you develop a future-proof strategy for your infrastructure.