FEATURE: NETWORKS AND SECURITY
leaves gaps that don’ t account for the fluid nature of modern work.
The answer to this dilemma is to stop piling on point products and start delivering platforms that make decisions easier. AI-driven platforms help evaluate behaviour in real-time, mitigating risks before they become incidents while reducing the burden on security teams.
Bharani Kumar Kulasekaran, Director of Technology, ManageEngine
While the convergence of network and security platforms stands as
brings with it a unique set of challenges.
a strategic priority for modern organisations, it
Integrating data from disparate tools is inherently
complex, and achieving true visibility across the environment is often a struggle. Additionally, there’ s always a delicate balance to strike; tightening security controls can sometimes risk compromising performance or the user experience. Without the right talent and tools, even the most well-intentioned convergence efforts risk falling short of delivering true agility and resilience. platforms. Legacy systems often struggle to integrate with modern solutions, causing compatibility and operational complexities. There has also been concern over visibility gaps across hybrid environments, inconsistent policy enforcement, and increased threat surfaces.
Skills shortages have made it difficult to manage sophisticated converged systems, while vendor lock-in risks and high transition costs have raised strategic concerns. Furthermore, balancing performance with security in real time has remained a persistent struggle, especially under pressure to deliver uninterrupted access and user experience.
AI and Generative AI have significantly streamlined operations for NOC and SOC administrators by automating detection, triage, and response processes. These technologies have enabled predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and dynamic playbook generation, reducing the cognitive load on analysts.
Managing the convergence of network and security platforms has required a multifaceted skill set. Professionals have needed deep knowledge in cybersecurity principles, network architecture, and cloud infrastructure. Proficiency in automation tools, scripting languages, and policy-based orchestration systems has been essential. Additionally, familiarity with compliance requirements, incident response processes, and risk management frameworks has been necessary.
Managing the convergence of network and security platforms requires an understanding of network architecture and its integration with security frameworks. Professionals must be adept at developing and enforcing security policies, such as access controls, data encryption, and endpoint protection that support business continuity and risk management.
The ability to align these policies with organisationlevel network security goals is critical to ensuring that technical decisions drive positive business outcomes and compliance. A strong understanding of automation, orchestration, and cloud security principles is also essential for operational efficiency.
Ehab Adel, Director of Cybersecurity, Mindware
CIOs and IT administrators have faced several challenges with the convergence of network and security
Bassel Kachfeh, Digital Solutions Manager, Omnix
CIOs and IT administrators face challenges in the convergence of network and security platforms.
One of the key hurdles is merging legacy infrastructure with modern platforms such as SASE or XDR and this leads to significant technical hurdles. Incompatible systems, data silos, and migration misconfigurations often lead to security gaps and service disruptions, delaying deployment and increasing costs.
Converged solutions require cross-disciplinary expertise in both networking and cybersecurity. Global talent shortage estimated at 4 million unfilled roles slows adoption and increases dependence on expensive third-party consultants.
We also see that limited budgets to cover aspects such as licenses, hardware upgrades, or cloud services
44 INTELLIGENTCIO MIDDLE EAST www. intelligentcio. com