TRENDING
Gary Middleton, Vice President, Networking
Go-to-Market, NTT DATA
Cybersecurity threats have also evolved considerably. Enterprise network and security operations were traditionally siloed, but organisations are increasingly following Zero-Trust principles to adopt a more integrated approach to network security.
In 2025, operating on outdated infrastructure is not just risky – it is potentially holding your business back.
Cost of delayed action
Delaying network modernisation carries significant risks that extend far beyond routine maintenance:
• Operational disruptions: Legacy networks are prone to outages and performance issues. Every minute of downtime affects productivity and may lead to lost revenue and reputational damage.
• Security vulnerabilities: Outdated infrastructure often lacks modern security features, making it more susceptible to cyberattacks.
• Regulatory compliance: Many industries – especially financial services and healthcare – must follow strict rules to secure their infrastructure and data. Unsupported hardware could result in significant fines and regulatory issues.
• Employee experience: To perform at their best, employees need easy, fast access to business applications and communication services, all of which are delivered by the network.
Strategic disadvantages
Competitors are already modernising their networks. Delays in doing so will risk falling behind in service delivery, customer experience and operational efficiency.
Legacy infrastructure also cannot fully support emerging technologies like Generative AI, limiting the organisation ' s ability to innovate and adapt. While network operations are manual today, a major shift to automated, AI-enabled processes in the next three to five years is inevitable. Furthermore, aging network equipment with inefficient power supplies and outdated features puts a spoke in the wheel of the organisation ' s carbon-reduction goals.
What does a network refresh entail?
A network operates much like a smartphone – over time, an older device becomes unable to run the latest applications or install necessary updates.
Similarly, network infrastructure follows a lifecycle that requires modernisation. However, unlike a simple phone upgrade, the stakes involved in refreshing a network are significantly higher.
It is not a case of simply replacing old hardware with new. It is a strategic overhaul that includes:
• Modernising the hardware and software infrastructure
• Redesigning the network architecture so it can scale as the business grows
• Implementing advanced security protocols
• Enabling support for emerging technologies
• Building a foundation for automation and AI capabilities
• Making it compatible with open standards and application programming interfaces, APIs
The term legacy does not solely refer to outdated technology. Even well-functioning network equipment may struggle to meet the demands of AI, cloud computing and growth in data volumes due to bandwidth limitations, high latency and an inability to scale or adapt to evolving security threats.
Network modernisation
Network infrastructure should not be replaced on a like for like basis. Simply swapping out an old switch for a new one fails to deliver significant value. Here is a different approach:
What are you dealing with?
Start with a comprehensive evaluation of the current infrastructure, including hardware, software, licenses, support coverage and lifecycle milestones.
This assessment helps to understand what ' s working, what is not and what is needed for growth. It serves both as a technical assessment and as an exercise to craft a business-ready network.
Modernise with a plan
Any network refresh in 2025 and beyond needs to include the following actions:
• Mandate automation and open APIs for operational efficiency and unlimited integration capabilities.
• Design with security principles from the ground up, including Zero-Trust and cloud-delivered security controls.
• Pilot AI-enabled capabilities for proactive network management and optimisation.
• Include sustainability as a key criterion while evaluating new infrastructure.
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