Yo, check this out. AI is doing its thing, making everything faster and smoother for businesses, right? But don’t get it twisted, network security is still the number one priority. That’s straight from the latest report from Duxbury Networking, based on Extreme Networks’ “CIO Insights Report.” Even with all this new tech popping up, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) ain’t letting their guard down when it comes to protecting their networks.
So here’s the deal. The study pulled in feedback from 200 IT professionals, and guess what? Even with AI taking over some of the operations, security’s still the big boss. These tech heads want to see AI, networking, and security all come together on one platform. That’s what they’re pushing for — a setup that keeps things running smooth, but also locks down their systems from any threats.
34% of the CIOs said that securing the network was their top focus. Another 22% said they need to bring networking and security together, not separately. And a whopping 96% of ‘em agreed that if the network ain’t secure, then everything else falls apart. That just goes to show that network security is the backbone of any solid cybersecurity strategy.
But yo, don’t think it’s all smooth sailing. Even though AI is everywhere, it’s bringing its own set of problems. 40% of CIOs are worried about data security when it comes to AI. We’re talking about serious concerns, man. You can’t just roll with AI and ignore the security side of things. The future’s gonna need platforms that don’t just push AI forward but also keep the hackers at bay.
Then there’s this whole movement towards platformisation. Big word, but it just means businesses want to roll with one system that does everything — networking, AI, and security all in one. 88% of CIOs are down for that, and 86% are looking to upgrade their systems in the next 18 months. It’s all about making sure their networks are ready for the next wave of tech, whether it’s AI, cloud, or whatever else comes next.
Plus, with all this new tech like AI and IoT taking over, the pressure’s on IT teams. They’ve gotta handle more devices and make sure everything plays nice together. It’s a lot, no doubt. And let’s not forget about sustainability. 88% of the folks in the survey said IT’s gotta play its part in making businesses more eco-friendly. It’s all connected, man.
In the end, businesses here in South Africa, just like everywhere else, gotta step up their game. AI is changing the game, but they need to have that security mindset locked in. It’s not enough to just have fancy tech. If you don’t secure your network, you’re asking for trouble. The move is clear: businesses need platforms that handle everything — networking, security, and AI — together. That’s the future. If you’re not on that, you’re falling behind.
