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APM in 2020: Prepare for Security and WAN Technology to Take Center Stage

Michael Cabra
Cybera

Many variables must align for optimum Application Performance Management (APM), and security is certainly among them. I offer the following APM predictions for 2020, which revolve around the reality that we will definitely begin to see much deeper integration of WAN technology on the security front. Look for this integration to take shape in the following ways:

First, connectivity and security will continue to become more reliably seamless — so that companies will be able to function with greater agility across application ecosystems — with the help of SD-WAN technology. SD-WAN won't just link devices with sites but will also help with security needs and application requirements for the enterprise.

In addition to boosting performance and security, software-based networking will reduce both the complexity of new app and service delivery, as well as the cost. I predict this year more and more IT departments will merge their networking and security groups into one united team. There will also be heightened IT focus on analytics tools and machine learning.

Second, the Zero Trust model will gain traction this year, spurred on by ongoing security issues that result from virtual private network (VPN) systems. The Zero Trust model safeguards against VPN vulnerabilities by allowing only authorized users access to specific applications, rather than giving all users the run of the network or exposing apps to the Internet. One result of these built-in Zero Trust precautions is a surface that's safe from the type of attacks that frequently plague VPNs. Think of Zero Trust as offering a distinct "protect surface" for your company's most sensitive apps and services. With a microperimeter around this protect surface, the only users that can get their mitts on this critical data are the ones that IT has specifically approved.

Third, expect digital transformation to grow legs in the New Year, moving beyond the buzzword to become a true business advantage, driven by the expansion of IoT. Enterprises can now finally effectively deliver optimized personal experiences to consumers by leveraging the seamless security mentioned above through a plethora of connected devices with speedy connectivity.

To summarize, 2020 will advance past the historical pattern of the network coming first, with security a mere protective appendage. We're rapidly entering a time — spurred along by the deeper integration of security with WAN technology — where security will become the enterprise's top priority, even ahead of connectivity. This is very different than the original intention of the Internet!

All in all, it's good news for the enterprise in 2020, as the security shortfalls of VPNs gradually take a backseat to the zero-attack surface of the Zero Trust model, and businesses can take greater advantage of the digital transformation and IoT through the integration of WAN technology with security.

Michael Cabra is Senior Product Manager, Global and Emerging Markets, at Cybera

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APM in 2020: Prepare for Security and WAN Technology to Take Center Stage

Michael Cabra
Cybera

Many variables must align for optimum Application Performance Management (APM), and security is certainly among them. I offer the following APM predictions for 2020, which revolve around the reality that we will definitely begin to see much deeper integration of WAN technology on the security front. Look for this integration to take shape in the following ways:

First, connectivity and security will continue to become more reliably seamless — so that companies will be able to function with greater agility across application ecosystems — with the help of SD-WAN technology. SD-WAN won't just link devices with sites but will also help with security needs and application requirements for the enterprise.

In addition to boosting performance and security, software-based networking will reduce both the complexity of new app and service delivery, as well as the cost. I predict this year more and more IT departments will merge their networking and security groups into one united team. There will also be heightened IT focus on analytics tools and machine learning.

Second, the Zero Trust model will gain traction this year, spurred on by ongoing security issues that result from virtual private network (VPN) systems. The Zero Trust model safeguards against VPN vulnerabilities by allowing only authorized users access to specific applications, rather than giving all users the run of the network or exposing apps to the Internet. One result of these built-in Zero Trust precautions is a surface that's safe from the type of attacks that frequently plague VPNs. Think of Zero Trust as offering a distinct "protect surface" for your company's most sensitive apps and services. With a microperimeter around this protect surface, the only users that can get their mitts on this critical data are the ones that IT has specifically approved.

Third, expect digital transformation to grow legs in the New Year, moving beyond the buzzword to become a true business advantage, driven by the expansion of IoT. Enterprises can now finally effectively deliver optimized personal experiences to consumers by leveraging the seamless security mentioned above through a plethora of connected devices with speedy connectivity.

To summarize, 2020 will advance past the historical pattern of the network coming first, with security a mere protective appendage. We're rapidly entering a time — spurred along by the deeper integration of security with WAN technology — where security will become the enterprise's top priority, even ahead of connectivity. This is very different than the original intention of the Internet!

All in all, it's good news for the enterprise in 2020, as the security shortfalls of VPNs gradually take a backseat to the zero-attack surface of the Zero Trust model, and businesses can take greater advantage of the digital transformation and IoT through the integration of WAN technology with security.

Michael Cabra is Senior Product Manager, Global and Emerging Markets, at Cybera

Hot Topics

The Latest

According to Auvik's 2025 IT Trends Report, 60% of IT professionals feel at least moderately burned out on the job, with 43% stating that their workload is contributing to work stress. At the same time, many IT professionals are naming AI and machine learning as key areas they'd most like to upskill ...

Businesses that face downtime or outages risk financial and reputational damage, as well as reducing partner, shareholder, and customer trust. One of the major challenges that enterprises face is implementing a robust business continuity plan. What's the solution? The answer may lie in disaster recovery tactics such as truly immutable storage and regular disaster recovery testing ...

IT spending is expected to jump nearly 10% in 2025, and organizations are now facing pressure to manage costs without slowing down critical functions like observability. To meet the challenge, leaders are turning to smarter, more cost effective business strategies. Enter stage right: OpenTelemetry, the missing piece of the puzzle that is no longer just an option but rather a strategic advantage ...

Amidst the threat of cyberhacks and data breaches, companies install several security measures to keep their business safely afloat. These measures aim to protect businesses, employees, and crucial data. Yet, employees perceive them as burdensome. Frustrated with complex logins, slow access, and constant security checks, workers decide to completely bypass all security set-ups ...

Image
Cloudbrink's Personal SASE services provide last-mile acceleration and reduction in latency

In MEAN TIME TO INSIGHT Episode 13, Shamus McGillicuddy, VP of Research, Network Infrastructure and Operations, at EMA discusses hybrid multi-cloud networking strategy ... 

In high-traffic environments, the sheer volume and unpredictable nature of network incidents can quickly overwhelm even the most skilled teams, hindering their ability to react swiftly and effectively, potentially impacting service availability and overall business performance. This is where closed-loop remediation comes into the picture: an IT management concept designed to address the escalating complexity of modern networks ...

In 2025, enterprise workflows are undergoing a seismic shift. Propelled by breakthroughs in generative AI (GenAI), large language models (LLMs), and natural language processing (NLP), a new paradigm is emerging — agentic AI. This technology is not just automating tasks; it's reimagining how organizations make decisions, engage customers, and operate at scale ...

In the early days of the cloud revolution, business leaders perceived cloud services as a means of sidelining IT organizations. IT was too slow, too expensive, or incapable of supporting new technologies. With a team of developers, line of business managers could deploy new applications and services in the cloud. IT has been fighting to retake control ever since. Today, IT is back in the driver's seat, according to new research by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) ...

In today's fast-paced and increasingly complex network environments, Network Operations Centers (NOCs) are the backbone of ensuring continuous uptime, smooth service delivery, and rapid issue resolution. However, the challenges faced by NOC teams are only growing. In a recent study, 78% state network complexity has grown significantly over the last few years while 84% regularly learn about network issues from users. It is imperative we adopt a new approach to managing today's network experiences ...

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Broadcom

From growing reliance on FinOps teams to the increasing attention on artificial intelligence (AI), and software licensing, the Flexera 2025 State of the Cloud Report digs into how organizations are improving cloud spend efficiency, while tackling the complexities of emerging technologies ...