#Gtt aquires inetwork upgrade

Increasingly, AI systems will understand what needs to be done and automatically tune the network and security measures.

In the coming year, we're going to see a lot more of this, not just on the application side but also on the network and for security. There is an increasing drive towards automation in network management and SD-WAN. AI systems and automation will become more trusted in the network. In the future, this might be replaced by a 5G flat-rate model aimed at businesses that allows more sites to be brought online, with settings that only allow certain types of data to be transmitted. Traditionally, this was inordinately expensive as businesses are using the same access technology originally designed for consumers. However, some providers are going even further by looking at changing the consumption model on wireless, especially for fixed wireless, where you need connectivity in a specific location – such as IoT-enabled vending machines or wind farms. With the equipment now reaching end-of-life, telcos are starting to look to 4G and 5G as alternatives. This status quo has been lucrative for providers, who were reluctant to have ethernet portfolios added on top. Where it wasn't possible to get ethernet, telecom service providers have long installed old leased lines, frame relay circuits, or T1s for affordable access.

#Gtt aquires inetwork upgrade

However, as support for old devices comes to an end, there will now be a more significant push to upgrade to the new standards. In the past, there have usually been 5-10-year cycles for these devices to be replaced. Some have yet leapt to SD-WAN, some have already done it and will be looking to add SASE, while others will be trying to find ways to integrate SD-Branch. The rate of adoption, of course, depends on what stage of the journey enterprises are at. Industry analyst estimates have predicted that modern WAN edge would soon replace approximately half of all installed branch routers. Innovation at that level is less likely to come before the end of next year or later. In 2021, expect to see a lot of announcements for solutions billed as SASE, but look out for amalgamations of separate capabilities and not the true integrated, orchestrated, managed approach businesses want. SASE is more a concept than a reality at the moment, as most enterprises run on piecemeal security components they have purchased separately. The challenge is to integrate everything so you can also see how it performs, where the security gaps are, and where there may be bottlenecks in terms of capacity. This approach ensures you have an agent broker between the user and the cloud to make sure applications are secure. SASE involves taking SD-WAN and tying it to cloud-based security tools like secure web gateway, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker). In 2021, the emerging concept of Secure Access of Service Edge (SASE) will really pick up pace.

Secure remote access solutions have been a key component for this year’s teams, but as we look ahead, the overall security approach is shifting to one of “zero trust.” This is where no individual user is trusted unconditionally, but instead access to corporate resources is given based on end-user and device identity, the individual application, the specific security posture, as well as any agreed privileges. SASE will take security to the next level in 2021.ĭuring the pandemic, ensuring cyber security has been top of mind for many IT teams, because of the speed with which the attack surface of their corporate network perimeter grew, as many employees suddenly had to start working from outside the traditional office locations. Users can be anywhere, so security needs to be everywhere. GTT expects to complete the integration of Interoute within three to four quarters after closing.Paul Ruelas is the Senior Director of Products at GTT. The addition of Interoute augments scale, expanding its Tier 1 global IP network with one of Europe’s most extensive fiber footprints, creates a comprehensive and competitive global cloud networking platform, adds a large base of marquee multinational clients, balanced across geographies and verticals, with very high levels of recurring revenue strengthens GTT’s leadership in software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and enhances GTT’s global team with a world-class sales, operations and customer service organization.

Led by Rick Calder, president and CEO, GTT owns and operates a global Tier 1 internet network and provides a comprehensive suite of cloud networking services to any location in the world. The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

(NYSE: GTT), a McLean, Va.-based global cloud networking provider to multinational clients, completion its acquisition of Interoute, a London, UK-based operator of one of Europe’s largest independent fiber networks.