The invisible backbone: Why your workplace is only as good as its network

You’re ready to start your day at your company’s sleek, state-of-the-art office, and you’ve planned to make the most of it. With decent coffee, collaboration spaces everywhere, and AI-driven tools to make everything run smoothly, you can get a lot done.

But as you start your day, things quickly go wrong: video calls keep breaking up, files take forever to send, and Wi-Fi dead zones turn simple tasks into major headaches.

The issue isn’t the technology itself — it’s the network.

In the race to modernize, organizations invest in hybrid work models, AI-powered applications and security solutions. But without a fast, secure and scalable network, these investments don’t yield decent returns.

Organizations must prioritize secured networking across campus networks and wide area networks to support edge and cloud solutions and ensure seamless, secure and intelligent employee experiences.

• ALSO READ → How to modernize your network in 2025

From desks to collaboration hubs: the changing workplace

  as employees shift seamlessly between in-person and remote interactions.

However, many organizations pour resources into digital transformation but neglect the foundation that enables it. Networks remain outdated, unable to handle new workplace demands.

Without a network that can support evolving work styles, even the most forward-thinking workplace strategies fall apart.

In addition, the latest network technologies, including observability and advanced analytics, are crucial for resolving issues fast and proactively and streamlining network performance — and, by extension, employees’ performance in the workplace.

The network is the unsung hero of employee experience

Every aspect of the modern workplace — collaboration, communication, security and productivity — depends on a high-performing network.

When networks work seamlessly, employees are productive, IT teams operate efficiently and business functions run without friction. A strong network ensures:

• Lag-free video meetings, keeping hybrid teams engaged
• Seamless access to cloud-based collaboration tools, eliminating workflow disruptions
• Secure, frictionless remote access, enabling employees to work from anywhere
• IoT-powered smart workplaces that automatically optimize everything from air quality to desk bookings

Yet, when networks fail, productivity crumbles, employees disengage, IT teams scramble and operations suffer. No workplace transformation is complete without a secure, resilient and intelligent network at its core.

Beyond connectivity: the network as an enabler of business outcomes

Modern networks do more than connect people. They also support security, sustainability and efficiency initiatives.

1. Security at the core: zero trust in the workplace

With bring-your-own-device policies and hybrid work, workplace security has become more complex than ever. Employees are connecting from multiple devices, often outside corporate firewalls.

Zero trust network access ensures that only verified users and devices can access corporate systems — whether they’re in the office or working remotely. This approach eliminates blind spots, mitigates cyber risks and keeps company data secure without limiting flexibility.

Additionally, networks should integrate AI-powered threat detection to stay ahead of evolving threats.

• ALSO READ → Why zero trust is a game changer in cybersecurity

2. The hybrid revolution: a network built for collaboration

Hybrid work isn’t going away. NTT DATA’s 2023 Global Employee Experience Trends Report showed that 72% of organizations planned to equip at least 50% of their meeting rooms with video capability and integrated unified communications, and 45% had already added videoconferencing to their meeting spaces or huddle rooms.

Many more of these meeting rooms will be video-enabled over time, and a network built for high-definition video traffic enables:

• Seamless hybrid meetings without pixelation or lag
• Cloud-based collaboration tools that function without disruptions
• Integrated digital signage and wayfinding, helping employees to navigate smart offices effortlessly

When video traffic is prioritized, hybrid teams stay engaged, clients receive professional services and IT teams don’t do battle with bandwidth issues.

3. AI-optimized efficiency: a smart and increasingly automated network

Imagine an office where critical applications are always prioritized, real-time analytics prevent downtime and network issues are resolved in a more automated way.

While traditional networks require constant troubleshooting, AI-driven networks can predict congestion, optimize bandwidth and correct a range of performance issues, thereby reducing downtime, improving security and ensuring seamless hybrid work.

And with AI-powered automation, IT teams can focus on strategy instead of firefighting connectivity issues. These smart networks continuously adapt, delivering high performance and security across the digital workplace.

• ALSO READ → AIOps injects intelligence into the heart of IT operations

4. Smart workplaces: networks also power sustainability

Energy efficiency is now a business imperative. Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows organizations to power lighting, sensors and even office furniture through the network, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Smart sensors track, among others:

• Air quality and carbon-dioxide levels
• Occupancy trends, allowing for the optimization of heating, cooling and lighting
• Energy consumption, supporting sustainability targets

A well-managed network therefore cuts costs, reduces waste and contributes to environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals as well as to employee wellbeing and performance.

The cost of inaction: a looming crisis

According to NTT DATA’s 2024 Infrastructure Lifecycle Management Report, organizations that fail to modernize in time will face:

• More security vulnerabilities as their outdated infrastructure becomes an easy target
• A network infrastructure unable to support a dynamic business
• Productivity breakdowns as slow network speeds disrupt workflows
• Skyrocketing IT costs from emergency fixes and downtime

Waiting is not an option: future-ready networks are not just about keeping up but also about staying ahead. Organizations that approach network modernization strategically will realize greater security, efficiency and business impact.

4 steps to future-proof your network

1. Assess your current infrastructure: Conduct a comprehensive audit to identify bottlenecks, security risks and performance gaps across your on-premises and cloud environments. Full visibility enables a proactive approach to modernization.
2. Align your network with your business goals: It needs to support hybrid work, AI-driven tools, sustainability initiatives and cloud-native applications, which lay the foundation for agile, long-term digital transformation.
3. Invest in scalable and secure networking solutions: Build an intelligent, secure and adaptive network by integrating campus networks, WAN edge and cloud networking solutions, with zero trust security at the core. Seamless, high-performance connectivity protects critical assets and delivers frictionless employee experiences.
4. Prioritize lifecycle management and ongoing optimization: A modern network isn’t a one-time upgrade. It needs continuous monitoring, proactive support and strategic lifecycle management. Organizations must not only refresh their outdated technology but also optimize with:

• Platform-delivered support and managed services for visibility, control, automation and flexible network management
• New commercial models like Enterprise Agreements, subscription or as-a-service models to align network investments with long-term business strategy

The bottom line: future-ready workplaces start with the right network

The workplace of the future isn’t just about where people work; it’s also about how well they are connected.

• A secure network safeguards data and ensures compliance.
• An AI-optimized network supports efficiency and productivity.
• A sustainable network reduces costs and enhances ESG impact.

Your network is more than an IT function; it also gives you a competitive advantage. By integrating network observability, AI-powered security and sustainability measures, you can be confident that your network will meet your current needs and support the growth of your organization.