Navigating the networking horizon
ZYXEL Networks expects 2024 to be a year of further progressive innovation in networking; it also expects it to be a year in which customers will make serious (and, in many cases, much-needed) investments to upgrade wireless technologies.
It will be the year in which WiFi 7 emerges, of course — and we expect to see a lot more uptake of WiFi 6 and 6E. There are already a number of WiFi 7 access points on the market (We were one of the first to announce and make a product available.), and many more will be launched over the course of the year.
WiFi 7 is significantly faster and better at delivering consistent and reliable connectivity in dense environments. In considering the networking needs of SMBs and smaller offices, it is evident that while WiFi 7 offers remarkable speed and connectivity benefits, it might pose budgetary challenges for some entities within this category. As a more cost-effective alternative, WiFi 6 or 6E emerges as a prudent investment, providing comparable performance advantages.
Furthermore, it is crucial to highlight that a significant number of WiFi 6/6E devices and all WiFi 7 devices are equipped with WPA3 protection. This advanced security protocol plays a pivotal role in fortifying the overall security posture, offering robust defense mechanisms for the network infrastructure and wireless devices, thereby ensuring a secure and reliable networking environment.
Another big trend will be the continued move to multi-gigabit switches that have the capability to deliver speeds of 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps to connected devices. Zyxel Networks is poised to expand its multi-gig range in 2024, enhancing Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities to meet the growing power demands of devices at the network’s edge. This includes WiFi 6/6E and WiFi 7 access points and high-quality IP surveillance cameras with panzoom-tilt capabilities.
With network security, the key trend will be simplification. Every year, the threats to networks multiply, and this has led to the development of digital security solutions, which are becoming more and more complex. While it is absolutely essential, that can be off-putting, especially for smaller businesses with no technical or cybersecurity expertise.
We see two parallel trends here, in fact: a growing desire to make protecting the network simpler and a greater willingness to place the administration and management of security in the hands of professional experts.
Zyxel Networks responds to this by introducing the Connect and Protect initiative, offering pre-defined cybersecurity setups for seamless deployment. The Nebula cloud management and cybersecurity cloud platform provide proactive protection against a myriad of threats, displaying features like collaborative detection and response (CDR).
Moreover, speaking of cybersecurity, the implementation of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) stands out as a significant focus for enhancing overall security measures. Ensuring a more proactive stance against potential threats, our approach involves prioritizing the isolation, thorough scanning, and robust security of guest networks. This not only prevents the introduction of threats into the main network but also acts as a crucial defense against network abuse and the spread of malware through compromised devices.
Furthermore, in exploring the security landscape of 2024, a multi-layered defense strategy assumes a crucial role. This comprehensive approach involves integrating cutting-edge hardware, software, and cloud-based solutions. Leveraging advanced AI technologies, our objective is to monitor, identify, react, and promptly resolve security risks or threatening behaviors. This holistic strategy is crafted to effectively counter the ever-evolving and novel threats inherent in the dynamic networking environment of 2024, ensuring a robust and forward-looking security posture.
Overarching all of this will be a move to higher bandwidth right across the network; the sophistication of applications, content and cloud-based services requires that now. In 2024, it will be time to bring the network up to speed.
We will also see a continued move toward remote monitoring and management of networks, extending to configuration and installation. Far from being a new development, this growing trend has been driven for some time by the increasing acceptance of managed services, a scarcity of advanced technical skills, and the increasing dependency that all organizations have on their IT systems, connectivity and networks.
With its enhanced capabilities — the extra security functions and the use of AI and machine learning to aid fault finding and resolution in particular — Nebula is becoming an all-encompassing, endto-end solution through which the entire network (or multiple networks) can be monitored.
Upon the explosion of the development of AI, we will begin to see more instances of AI being used to automate networking processes. As it currently stands, machine learning is already being deployed to help analyze security threats in real time; however, over time, AI will take on the additional role of auditing networks to optimize features such as bandwidth management, application performance, and network.
This is the longer-term direction for networking. Devices will be installed, configured, and managed remotely, and there will be much greater collaboration and sharing of functionality between switches, wireless access points, and security appliances.
In 2024, we will see networks progressing to the point where performance tuning and digital cybersecurity are fully integrated across all devices and everything is monitored and managed through the cloud.
In conclusion, a collective understanding envisions a future where security, connectivity, and artificial intelligence converge to shape a resilient and responsive networking industry in 2024.