Partner POV | Navigating Modern Cyber Threats with Smart Out of Band Solutions

Article written by Richard Egan, Marketing Campaign and Content Manager, Opengear. 

As technology progresses and permeates all facets of modern life, the sophistication and scale of cyber threats continue to grow, presenting a formidable challenge to businesses worldwide. The consequences of a data breach can be catastrophic, meaning cybersecurity is at the top of the priority list. As such, it's imperative for organizations to find efficient and effective solutions to protect their networks, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure business continuity.

Cybersecurity Challenges in Modern Networks

With your watch, refrigerator, and car all connected online, malicious actors are continuing their assaults. Cyber threats have evolved to become more sophisticated and damaging than we've ever seen. Malware, ransomware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks – organizations face these and other threats on a daily basis. Given that, it's no wonder that total spending on information security and risk management will exceed $215 billion this year. If not properly addressed, these threats can lead to severe data breaches, loss of customer trust, financial penalties, and operational disruptions.

As if the growing wave of cyber threats wasn't challenging enough, organizations now face an additional hurdle: the recent phenomenon known as "The Great Resignation." This trend of employee departures, as detailed in recent research from Opengear, has left many industries, including technology, grappling with a shortage of skilled network engineers and cybersecurity experts. Organizations find it increasingly challenging to maintain secure and resilient network infrastructures when the available talent pool is shrinking.

The stakes have never been higher. With an increase in remote and hybrid work environments, networks are becoming more dispersed and harder to manage. This further underscores the necessity for organizations to find innovative and comprehensive solutions to bolster their cybersecurity defenses and ensure network resilience. By implementing such security protocols as advanced encryption methods, regular vulnerability assessments, and continuous employee training on cybersecurity best practices, businesses can safeguard their data and reputation. Additionally, investing in out-of-band solutions, like those offered by Opengear, provides an extra layer of protection, and can help ensure the continuity of their operations.

The Role of Out-of-Band Networks

Out-of-band (OOB) network management is a strategy that utilizes an independent, secondary pathway for network management and remediation. This method operates separately from the primary data plane, ensuring that network operations can continue even during a crisis or failure in the main data path. Out-of-band networks provide organizations with the ability to quickly isolate and contain security incidents, such as breaches or attacks, and lock down affected parts of the network. This isolation prevents further damage and allows engineers to respond rapidly and efficiently, safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining network integrity. This approach significantly enhances resilience by providing a dedicated channel for managing and troubleshooting network issues, minimizing the impact of disruptions on business operations.

Opengear's Smart Out of Band Solutions

Opengear has taken OOB management to the next level with our Smart Out of Band management solutions. They're specifically designed to meet the evolving challenges of modern network security and resilience. These cutting-edge solutions leverage the Smart Management Fabric (SMF) to provide organizations with dynamic routing and a unified management framework. Key features and benefits include:

• Secure remote connection: Opengear's solutions enable secure, remote access to IT environments, allowing network professionals to manage, monitor, and remediate network issues from any location. This accessibility is crucial for ensuring business continuity and minimizing the impact of disruptions.
• Instant awareness: With Opengear's Smart Out of Band solutions, organizations can quickly detect and respond to network incidents and outages. This capability helps minimize downtime and keeps networks running smoothly.
• Hands-on management capabilities: Opengear's solutions provide network engineers with the tools they need to perform hands-on management during critical times. This includes the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve issues, as well as the option to shut down or restart network equipment remotely for better control over network stability and security.

Overall, Opengear's Smart Out of Band solutions empower organizations to enhance their network resilience and security, providing a robust foundation for managing today's complex and ever-changing cyber threats.

Enhancing Network Management with Opengear

Opengear's cutting-edge technology provides network engineers with the robust tools they need to manage networks effectively. Through its advanced management solutions, Opengear enhances network monitoring, maintenance, and response capabilities, allowing engineers to address issues proactively. Case studies demonstrate how Opengear's solutions protect networks during security incidents by isolating compromised areas, containing threats, and ensuring the continuity of operations. These real-world applications showcase Opengear's strategic advantage for organizations, providing a secure foundation for their network infrastructure and empowering them to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

Addressing Talent Shortages with Opengear

Opengear's solutions empower network engineers to manage networks efficiently, even when facing resource constraints. By offering automation and remote capabilities, Opengear supports under-resourced teams, enabling them to optimize their work and achieve more with fewer resources. Automated configuration of network settings or parameters, monitoring, and alerts allow network professionals to focus on high-level tasks while the system handles routine maintenance and incident response.

Additionally, Opengear's technology facilitates remote work and hybrid working practices, which is a key initiative for addressing talent shortages. By enabling engineers to work from various locations, Opengear helps organizations access a broader talent pool and maintain productivity even with limited on-site staff. This flexible approach not only alleviates the pressure on network teams but also contributes to the overall resilience and robustness of the network infrastructure.

The Future of Network Resilience

Investing in Opengear's technology offers long-term benefits for network stability and security. By leveraging Opengear's solutions, organizations can address the challenges of modern cybersecurity and prepare for the future of network management.