At GTT, we lead the way in offering secure, reliable, and scalable IT security solutions. Our goal is to help you maintain business continuity and protect your operations, data, and customer trust. Below, we outline the cybersecurity trends that will shape the future of your business and offer insights on staying secure.

The Current Cybersecurity Landscape

Cybersecurity trends are becoming increasingly complex as the way globally distributed enterprises utilize technology rapidly evolves. Cutting-edge solutions are no longer a "nice to have" feature but a strategic necessity to ensure secure connectivity and protection.

But how do you prioritize your protection efforts? A good starting point is to consider the most common culprits of data breaches. So, what are the top three trends in the cybersecurity industry? While the specific threats you’ll face will depend on your business’s type and operational model, your top concerns are likely to involve ransomware, cloud vulnerabilities, and remote workforce challenges:

• Human Error and Phishing Vulnerabilities: Human error is a leading cause of data breaches, and phishing via email remains a primary method attackers use to exploit this vulnerability. In fact, it takes less than 60 seconds for an organization to become exposed if an individual clicks on a malicious email. Simple mistakes—such as weak passwords, accidental sharing of sensitive information, or falling for phishing scams—are responsible for 88% of data breaches.
• Ransomware: Ransom attacks have surged in recent years, crippling entire organizations and costing billions in damages and lost data. A recent industry report revealed that only 16% of companies recover their data without paying a ransom, and 29% of those that do are still unable to recover their data.
• Cloud Vulnerabilities: As more businesses migrate to the cloud, ensuring secure access to data and applications is a top priority — especially considering that 79% of companies have experienced at least one cloud data breach in the past 18 months, and 43% say they’ve had ten or more.
• Remote Work Challenges: Remote environments expose your company to threats from unsecured home networks and personal devices. Phishing is still one of the leading trends in cybersecurity in a remote setting. These instances have surged by 62% due to work-from-home (WFH) business models.

While these threats dominate the current cybersecurity landscape, it's important to remember that cyber risks evolve as quickly as the technologies we rely on. Therefore, developing a comprehensive security strategy tailored to your unique business needs is essential.

Top 12 Cybersecurity Trends of 2025

Looking ahead, the cybersecurity landscape will continue to evolve. Below are 12 cybersecurity industry trends to watch out for in 2025:

1: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing the industry, allowing for faster threat detection and automated responses. AI and ML technologies can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying patterns that a human might miss.

While AI and ML are not yet central to every security solution, they are paving the way for more proactive threat detection capabilities. For instance, AI-powered threat monitoring may soon complement traditional security efforts, alleviating some of the load on internal teams. As these technologies evolve, they hold potential for integration in security strategies to counter emerging threats.

2: Zero Trust Architecture

As more and more businesses shift towards cloud-first and remote work models, traditional perimeter defenses are no longer sufficient. That's why the Zero Trust model, which operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," has emerged as a critical approach.

At GTT, all our proprietary technology is designed using Zero Trust Architecture. For instance, our SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) solutions ensure that every user, device, and application is continuously authenticated and monitored, regardless of location.

3: Rise of Ransomware Attacks

As we highlighted in the previous section, ransomware remains one of the most damaging trends in cyber security for businesses globally. As incidents become more frequent and costly, a robust defense strategy is crucial to eliminating the potentially devastating financial and reputational impacts.

GTT offers integrated security services that help detect ransomware activity early, minimizing the risk of widespread damage. Our real-time monitoring focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and securing backup repositories-often a primary target for ransomware attacks-helping ensure business continuity in the face of evolving threats.

4: Cloud Security Enhancements

With multi-cloud organizational environments becoming the norm, securing cloud access has never been more vital. The priority in any WFH or hybrid model is to protect company information against unauthorized access and breaches as data is migrated to the cloud.

To help mitigate the risk of cloud breaches, GTT offers managed SD-WAN services along with Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) capabilities. This combination provides secure, encrypted connections and ensures that only authorized users can access cloud resources, with traffic prioritization for mission-critical applications. This enables your business to safely leverage cloud benefits while maintaining robust security and optimal performance.

5: Increased Focus on Data Privacy

Hard-hitting international regulations like the GDPR and state-specific measures like the CCPA mean that ensuring data privacy is no longer optional - it's a legal requirement. Moreover, non-compliant businesses face significant fines.

GTT can help you meet international standards like GDPR and CCPA, ensuring that data privacy is built into your network security infrastructure.

6: Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure

Businesses in the energy, healthcare, and transportation sectors face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, often from malicious actors targeting vulnerabilities in third-party vendors and supply chain partners. To prevent disruptions to essential - and sometimes lifesaving - services, real-time defenses, and automated responses must protect your critical infrastructure.

GTT’s global platform and DDoS Mitigation services offer round-the-clock safeguarding against targeted attacks, ensuring always-on to secure your mission critical infrastructure.

7: Mitigating Insider Threats

Insider threats - whether intentional (i.e., espionage and sabotage) or accidental (e.g., employees using external storage devices or accessing data unrelated to their jobs) - are among the most challenging cybersecurity trends to manage. So, along with enhanced security measures, comprehensive employee training is essential.

GTT's SASE solutions include DLP capabilities, providing identity-based access controls and continuous monitoring to detect unusual data movement. With real-time visibility into user activities, businesses can better protect sensitive information, reducing the risk of data breaches from insider threats.

8: Quantum Cryptography

With the advancement of quantum computing, traditional encryption methods are becoming vulnerable. Quantum cryptography is emerging as an invaluable solution in the fight to secure communications in this new era. By exploiting the naturally occurring properties of quantum mechanics to encrypt data, you can eliminate hacking by ensuring only the person with the correct quantum key can access and decrypt it.

GTT is proactively exploring quantum-resistant encryption to help businesses protect their data and communications against future quantum-based threats.

9: Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

Phishing and social engineering attacks that exploit human vulnerabilities remain among the most common data security trends. As phishing attacks become more sophisticated, the likelihood of human error increases, necessitating real-time protection.

GTT’s AI-powered threat detection tools recognize and respond to phishing attempts as they occur, ensuring your employees and systems are always protected.

10: The Internet of Things (IoT) Security

The rapid adoption of IoT devices in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and smart city design has significantly expanded attack surfaces. Some organizations have hundreds of thousands of connected devices, making protection against data breaches, malware, and DDoS attacks vital.

GTT provides robust security solutions to ensure secure IoT deployment across various sectors. Our network infrastructure supports scalability while simultaneously mitigating potential vulnerabilities.

11: Mobile Security

With the rise of mobile device use for both personal and professional purposes, businesses face increasing risks of mobile-based cyberattacks like phishing, malware, and unsecured app use. Mobile devices are a particularly essential focal point due to the tasks they are frequently utilized for, such as financial transactions and personal communications.

As the mobile workforce grows, mobile security will become even more critical. GTT's security solutions offer multi-layered protection for mobile devices, ensuring secure access to corporate networks and sensitive data, whether employees are working remotely or on the go.

12: Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology is gaining traction for securing transactions and preventing data tampering. As cyber threats evolve, blockchain's decentralized nature makes it a valuable tool for enhancing cybersecurity frameworks, especially in finance and supply chain management.

As with all other rising cybersecurity trends, GTT is exploring blockchain’s potential to provide stronger, more secure infrastructure so we can continue to offer our customers peace of mind when managing sensitive data in industries requiring high levels of trust and transparency.

How to Prepare for Future Cybersecurity Challenges

Securing your business goes beyond addressing today's IT security trends and threats; it's about future-proofing your operations. Here are some key actions you can take to stay ahead:

• Implement 24/7 Threat Monitoring: Cyberattacks can occur at any moment. Real-time monitoring ensures that threats are detected and addressed immediately, minimizing damage and disruption.
• Automate Incident Response: Automation speeds up incident response times by reducing manual efforts, allowing for swift containment and minimal downtime.
• Conduct Regular Security Assessments: Ongoing assessments help you identify vulnerabilities and address potential gaps as they occur — and, most essentially, before they can be exploited.
• Prioritize Backup and Disaster Recovery: Cyber resilience isn’t just about prevention. It’s about recovery, too. Effective data recovery plans are necessary for bouncing back after an attack.
• Train Employees to Recognize Threats: Human error is a leading cause of breaches. Ongoing training programs ensure that employees can effectively recognize and respond to potential threats.
• Conduct thorough vendor assessments: Evaluating the cybersecurity protocols of supply chain partners is essential to ensure they meet your company’s standards and do not introduce additional risk.
• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods before gaining access to your systems.

By combining these proactive measures with a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, your business can stay one step ahead of potential threats, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure that both prevention and recovery are built into your operations.

Strengthen Your Cybersecurity with GTT

Cybersecurity trends are a moving target, and staying secure requires more than just technology — it requires a trusted partner. GTT offers a full suite of solutions, including Managed SD-WAN, DDoS Mitigation, SASE, Professional Services, Secure Remote Access, and Managed Firewall, to safeguard your network and critical infrastructure.

Are you ready to navigate today’s cybersecurity challenges with confidence? Talk to our experts to learn how GTT can protect your business from current and future threats.

What is Networking and Security as a Service (NSaaS)?

NSaaS combines networking and security services into one integrated solution, allowing you to manage your network infrastructure and security protocols through a single platform. Unlike traditional network and security models, which often require separate, on-premise systems, NSaaS centralizes functions in the cloud, simplifying operations and reducing infrastructure costs.

With traditional setups, organizations deploy and maintain distinct hardware for networking and security, such as routers, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems, each requiring dedicated management. By shifting network and security services to the cloud, NSaaS eliminates the need for extensive on-site infrastructure and multiple truck rolls while centralizing management and streamlining IT operations.

How NSaaS Works

NSaaS platforms offer a suite of connectivity and security services designed to manage and secure your enterprise network via a centralized dashboard. Las características clave incluyen:

• Network monitoring: Continuous oversight of network traffic to detect anomalies and maintain performance.
• Traffic management: Efficient resource allocation to optimize data flow and prevent congestion.
• Threat detection: Identification of security risks through advanced analytics and real-time monitoring.
• Firewall protection: Control of incoming and outgoing traffic with enforced security policies to prevent unauthorized access.

With real-time insights and unified control, organizations can reduce the complexity of handling multiple systems, allowing IT teams to respond swiftly to incidents.

Key Benefits of NSaaS for Enterprises

NSaaS technology is built to be scalable, efficient, and secure to meet the needs of modern enterprises. Key advantages are:

Cost Efficiency

NSaaS solutions eliminate the need for substantial upfront investments in physical hardware and costly on-site security costs. But that's not the only way NSaaS adoption can boost your bottom line:

• The subscription-based pricing model allows you to budget more effectively while avoiding unexpected maintenance and upgrade costs.
• Labor overheads are reduced, as multiple teams are no longer needed to oversee independent network and security infrastructures.
• Your in-house IT team has more time to focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth rather than getting bogged down by routine maintenance.

The overall result? Your business can shift from a capital expenditure (CapEx) model to a more predictable operating expense (OpEx) model.

Seguridad mejorada

By using NSaaS, enterprises gain access to a constantly evolving suite of security measures without the need for manual intervention, making it easier to keep up with—and stay ahead of— the latest cyber threats:

• Real-time threat monitoring, automated detection, and instant response mechanisms help you proactively address security incidents.
• Advanced threat detection tools use AI and machine learning to identify patterns indicative of malicious activity.
• The speedy identification and containment of potential breaches protect your sensitive data and prevent costly disruptions.
• NSaaS platforms regularly update security protocols and patch vulnerabilities, ensuring you remain compliant with industry regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.

The cloud-based nature of NSaaS ensures that security updates and patches are deployed promptly, further minimizing vulnerabilities and bolstering organizational defense.

Scalability and Flexibility

With NSaaS cloud security, scaling up as you expand your reach or increase your digital presence is much simpler than traditional solutions. Primary operational benefits include:

• The adaptability to handle greater workloads and effortlessly cater to new user access needs
• The flexibility to vary network usage across different regions.
• The ability to onboard new users, add new applications, and extend services without overhauling existing infrastructure.
• Seamless scaling of resources is in line with growth and seasonal demand fluctuations without further capital investment.

Scaling in real-time improves enterprise agility, allowing organizations in fast-moving markets to gain a competitive advantage.

Simplified Management and Monitoring

Unifying network and security functions into a single, easy-to-manage platform removes the need for multiple interfaces, software applications, and devices to maintain and secure your operations. With NSaaS, you can:

• Oversee all network and security tasks from one centralized dashboard for enhanced visibility.
• Access real-time insights into network performance, security incidents, and user activity.
• Reduce the likelihood of human error through automation, improved reporting, and AI-powered processes that simplify complex workflows and eliminate redundant steps.
• Quickly detect issues, adjust configurations, and implement security measures without switching between tools or physically accessing hardware.

These time-saving advantages streamline your operations, allowing your team to focus on strategic goals and milestones.

Real-World Use Cases of NSaaS

NSaaS meets varied organizational needs across different industries, providing unique benefits in scenarios such as:

Enterprises with Remote or Distributed Teams

As remote work and hybrid models become more common, maintaining access to corporate networks from any location is critical. NSaaS addresses the unique challenges of remote and globally distributed teams by providing consistent, secure, and seamless corporate network access while enforcing Zero Trust principles to verify every user, device, and application.

Highly Regulated Industries

Industries with strict regulatory requirements-such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, media, and eCommerce-face significant challenges regarding networks and data security. NSaaS offers a reliable way to enhance overall security posture while simultaneously ensuring compliance with stringent standards like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and more.

Why Choose NSaaS over Traditional Network and Security Models?

While traditional solutions may have sufficed in the past, the demands of digital businesses require a more integrated approach. With NSaaS, as technology adapts and evolves, the networking and security infrastructure deployed will also adapt and evolve, providing a competitive advantage.

Infrastructure Requirements

Traditional network and security models require substantial investment in physical hardware-and extensive IT support to manage them. This setup is costly, labor-intensive, and often inflexible. By shifting network and security functions to the cloud, NSaaS offers:

• Significantly reduced cost and complexity in maintaining hardware, freeing up resources for more business-critical investments.
• Accelerated and simplified deployment with options to add/adjust functionality without on-site installation or downtime.
• Greater flexibility to adapt your network and security needs based on real-time demands.

This agility is particularly invaluable if rapid growth, seasonal demand spikes, or evolving technology requirements epitomize your organization.

Security and Network Management

One of the standout differences between NSaaS and traditional methodologies is the shift in responsibility away from in-house teams. Benefits include:

• A newfound ability to leverage advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to detect anomalies and respond to threats in real-time.
• Automated updates and patches ensure comprehensive system security and reduce the risk of configuration errors without the need for manual input or maintenance.

The result? Consolidating network and security management into a single, outsourced platform allows your enterprise to focus on core operations while maintaining a robust and resilient security posture.

Costs and Long-Term Value

NSaaS provides the flexibility and resilience that modern enterprises need to stay competitive in a fast-paced, tech-driven world:

• Upgrades and maintenance are handled on your behalf, eliminating the need for frequent investments related to equipment upgrades, software licensing, and personnel training.
• The fixed subscription fee allows for more precise budgeting and financial planning, minimizing the risk of unexpected expenses related to managing network and security costs.

The cost savings of an NSaaS approach allow you to future-proof your network and security while freeing up capital to invest in innovation and growth.

How to Implement NSaaS in Your Enterprise

Successfully transitioning to a NSaaS model requires a strategic approach to ensure your integrated solution operates smoothly while meeting your specific business needs. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to implement NSaaS effectively.

Assessing Your Current Network and Security Needs

The first step is conducting a thorough assessment of your current network and security infrastructure to identify areas where NSaaS may bring the most value. You'll need to:

• Identify pain points and specific challenges within your current setup.
• Evaluate your scalability requirements by assessing factors like organizational growth, geographic expansion, and seasonal demand spikes.
• Critically analyze the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading your current infrastructure compared to adopting an NSaaS model.
• Evaluate your current supply chain and partner ecosystem to ensure your network meets diverse operational and compliance requirements.

These initial assessments set a clear foundation, allowing you to make informed, data-driven decisions based on your business’s trajectory.

Choosing the Right NSaaS Provider

A dependable managed security service provider (MSSP) delivers secure and scalable technology that aligns with your organization's unique needs, positioning NSaaS as a strategic advantage. Here's what to look for and why GTT stands out as the ideal choice:

• Purpose-built for at-scale security: Your solution must deliver secure, scalable networking and security across a distributed operational network. GTT’s robust EnvisionCORE is built on one of the largest global IP backbones, along with its EnvisionEDGE device offers unparalleled visibility, insights, orchestration, and control accessible via one portal with EnvisionDX. By securing hardware, software, and maintenance services in a single package, you can bypass the high initial expenses of purchasing network and security hardware.
• Experience and industry acumen: A commitment to collaborative transformation is essential in unburdening your IT staff and encouraging teams to focus on new strategic initiatives. GTT brings a wealth of industry experience and technical leadership providing access to innovative technologies that address the most pressing networking and security challenges.
• Global presence with localized support: Your NSaaS provider should combine international reach with local expertise to ensure success across all regions. At GTT, our globally distributed teams work closely with clients to deliver reliable support and tailored service at every step, providing solutions that meet your organizational mission.

In summary, choosing GTT as your NSaaS provider means partnering with a team dedicated to unlocking potential, empowering people, and delivering a superior networking and security experience.

Integrating NSaaS with Existing Systems

Seamless integration is essential for preserving data continuity, avoiding workflow disruptions, and maximizing the effectiveness of NSaaS technology. Here are some best practices to consider:

• Verify that your existing hardware, software, and tools are compatible with the NSaaS platform.
• Consider a phased approach with staged rollouts of specific functions and gradual expansion as your team becomes more comfortable with the new platform.
• Leverage provider support to optimize your new technical setup and minimize the in-house resources required for a smooth transition.

By following these steps, you can achieve an efficient unified network and security integration that compliments your existing operations.

Leverage NSaaS for Growth and Security

For organizations looking to stay agile and competitive, NSaaS represents much more than a cost-saving measure. It's a strategic investment in resilience with built-in innovation.

As you navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape of continuously evolving cyber threats, NSaaS presents a clear path to optimized network performance and fortified security. By integrating networking and security management into a single, cloud-based solution, you can increase your total cost of ownership,, improve scalability, and enhance your posture-all while reducing the burden on your IT teams.

At GTT, we offer a comprehensive suite of secure cloud networking solutions, all explicitly designed to meet the needs of modern enterprises. Examples include:

• Managed SD-WAN: Our SD-WAN solutions provide secure, reliable connectivity across global networks.
• SASE (Secure Access Service Edge): Our proprietary SASE solutions enable secure access to distributed applications and data, regardless of location.
• DDoS Mitigation: Our DDoS mitigation solutions help protect your organization against disruption by providing operational continuity and safeguarding against financial losses.
• MDR (Managed Detection and Response):  Our MDR solution integrates human and digital cybersecurity providing monitoring, analysis and response to breaches to ensure your organization’s safety.

When you choose GTT as your trusted partner on your networking and security journey, you get more than just an NSaaS provider. You gain a committed ally for your digital transformation journey.

Are you ready to unlock your network’s full potential? Talk to our experts today to discover how we can empower your enterprise.

GTT’s latest research-based white paper, Trends and Solutions for a More Secure Perimeter: Integrating SASE, SSE and SD-WAN Solutions, revealed that companies receive a wide range of benefits by jointly managing SD-WAN and SASE solutions. Like in our previous blog, The Big Takeaway: 97% Say Cybersec & Network Integration is the Logical Next Step, these insights were based on a survey, conducted by Hanover Research across the US, UK and Europe, fielding questions to decision makers of SD-WAN, SSE, or SASE.

Major Insights

• Most companies need Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to help them fill skills gaps to handle complex, integrated networking and cybersecurity solution design and deployment.
• These companies also desire MSPs to share their knowledge with in-house technology teams, combining the benefits of deep technical expertise with deep understanding of the business, which leads to improved deployments.
• A solution that is co-managed with a 3rd party provides the level of confidence companies need, furnishes the right mix of solutions and services, and offers knowledge and expertise that compensate for customer deficiencies, allowing those companies to focus on their core business.

Survey Data Shows Co-Managed Solutions Are Most Popular

The chart below shows that overall, most companies co-manage complex solutions with a 3rd party, enabling them to retain some control. Few (<20%) have outsourced their solutions entirely to an MSP while the remainder still manage them in house. The co-managed joint arrangement is becoming more common as services become more complex and more integrated. In our experience and that of the survey respondents, MSPs typically assign a single point of contact, either remotely or at times, embedded with the customer's team for a period of time to develop relationships and work face-to-face with the internal team.

Sharing Information Builds Trust, Trust Leads to More Shared Information

At GTT, we have seen how the hybrid or co-management process helps foster deep relationships and trust between in-house technology teams and their MSP. This trust further enables the two-way transfer of knowledge. Over the past several years, we have observed how the co-management process has evolved in two different ways.

1. The Permanent Arrangement. Some companies prefer to offload more management responsibilities and the technology infrastructure to their MSP as a permanent arrangement, while still being kept in the loop. This enables their internal IT staff to concentrate on handling revenue-generating activities, which run on the infrastructure that the MSP manages. The IT staff is kept informed of infrastructure changes made by the MSP and how they can apply those changes to enhance revenue-generating activities.
2. The Transition Period. Other companies prefer to use the co-management process as a transition period. In this way, the MSP upskills the internal IT staff, allowing them to become experts on a wide range of SASE and other services and to take on more day-to-day management chores, which they in turn can use to boost their revenue-generating activities.

Selecting the co-managed option, for either of these reasons, helps companies solve their challenges in ways that best fits their needs while improving performance and revenue.

Most Deployments Within a One-Year Timeframe

The survey also showed that 81% of respondents said their company will complete a SASE framework in the next 12 months. 77% will deploy various SSE solutions within the next 12 months, without a full-blown SASE framework. Looking at these percentages, GTT Senior Vice President of Product Management, Tom Major said, "We expect SASE and for those not using SD-WAN to incorporate more advanced SSE solutions to adopt a co-management structure as they bring these solutions on-line to address the complexities and provide the expertise that these infrastructures demand."

A GTT customer, Mario Paricio, IT CTO Manager at HMY Group, spoke about his own experience, saying, “GTT’s team supported us through the change from MPLS to SD‑WAN, and we leverage their technical knowledge to enhance our own skills so we can support our users in a more informed way.”

Click to find out more about the benefits of co-managed integrated SD-WAN and SASE solutions and advanced SSE.

GTT’s latest white paper, Trends and Solutions for a More Secure Perimeter: Integrating SASE, SSE and SD-WAN Solutions, supported by research commissioned by GTT and conducted by Hanover Research, revealed that 97% of SD-WAN, SSE or SASE decision makers believe integration is the logical next step of organizations with SSE and SD-WAN solutions.   The study showed that cybersecurity and networking teams that are integrated, or that regularly work together, experience simpler deployment, better communication and an overall stronger security posture than non-integrated teams.

The survey deployed across the US and EU found that most cybersecurity and networking teams (88%) are fully integrated or regularly work together. To drill down, almost half of companies (47%) report that their cybersecurity and networking teams work separately but communicate and collaborate regularly, while 41% report that their cybersecurity and networking teams are fully integrated under one management.

Of those who have integrated their teams, respondents said it had resulted in:

It’s clear that integration leads to stronger security and better processes

Among non-integrated teams, 28% reported that "Network security (was) not as strong as it could be." An outcome of non-integrated teams is the lack of passed on security knowledge from Cybersecurity to Networking, while teams that are integrated benefit from the sharing of information.

Nearly half (49%) of respondents in the non-integrated group said that lack of coordination or clarity in team responsibilities is an issue. Furthermore, 46% said that their non-integrated teams suffer from slower decision making and solution implementation.

More Benefits

The respondents also confirmed that when integration is properly executed it improves security, network and operational outcomes by:

• Improving security posture by gaining visibility into network traffic and security events by applying AI, machine learning and automation to rapidly detect and respond to threats
• Enhancing security for users, devices and applications through improved collaboration between teams and providing better oversight, Reducing latency by avoiding the routing of traffic through multiple network and security gateways
• Increasing agility by enabling companies to quickly deploy new applications and services
• Promoting simplicity by eliminating the need for multiple point products, which eases management and delivers unified experience
• Supporting digital transformation initiatives by integrating cybersecurity while protecting against evolving cyberthreats
• Reducing total cost of ownership

Beyond the above benefits, a carefully implemented integration facilitates various digital transformation initiatives. These include remote work capabilities, branch office modernization and cloud adoption strategies that many companies rely on.

A Strong Connection to Investments

Another point revealed from the study and highlighted in the white paper is the correlation between prioritizing integration and increasing investments. The current investments tend to be in integrated SD-WAN/Security solutions and cloud connectivity (67%). Respondents also stated that their organizations plan to further increase their investment, chiefly in integrated SD-WAN/Security solutions (57%) and cloud connectivity (56%).

 In reviewing the data used in the white paper, GTT Senior Vice President of Product Manager, Tom Major said, "There is a link between experiencing the benefits of integration, which includes reducing overall IT costs, and getting what one pays for." Major also noted that the data in the white paper makes clear the mission-critical nature of enterprise security solutions in regard to SD-WAN deployment and SASE framework integration. "Moreover, the respondents at companies that have deployed SD-WAN at scale and have integrated SASE frameworks at scale have done so for at least two or more years," said Major. "These forward-looking companies are taking a strong stance on integration; they're no longer playing with proofs of concept."

For companies seeking to achieve the benefits of integration, GTT will partner with them to create and deploy their ideal, integrated, secure cloud networking solution. In addition to designing and deploying the solution that fits their business needs, our customers receive a digital gateway, EnvisionDX, to manage, customize and control every aspect of their networking and security solution providing greater visibility and insights.

These statistics are a major concern for IT and security leaders, but they should be on everyone's radar. Malware comes in many forms, such as viruses, trojans, ransomware, worms, adware, and spyware. Each has its own harmful purpose-whether it's holding your data hostage, bombarding you with ads, or spying on your activities. All malware poses a threat, and the key to protecting yourself and the networks you work in is understanding how it spreads and how to stay vigilant.

Here are the most frequent methods used to infect devices, along with tips on how to stay safe online.

Phishing Emails

Email addresses are easily accessible and often used by cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks. These scams masquerade as legitimate messages from well-known companies and their goal is to steal sensitive information, such as passwords or account details, or to trick you into downloading malware by clicking on malicious links.

To avoid falling victim, there are some basic rules to follow:

• Verify the sender’s email address
• Be wary of urgent requests
• Inspect hyperlinks
• Never open attachments from unknown sources
• Consider whether the request is legitimate
• Check for odd spelling or grammar
• Report suspicious emails to your IT team

Fake Websites

Scammers can set up fake websites that appear almost identical to legitimate ones, tricking you into downloading malware. These fraudulent sites often rank high in search engine results or appear as ads, making it easy for unsuspecting users to click on them.

A good way to protect yourself is by bookmarking trusted websites or manually typing the URL into your browser. Additionally, properly configured firewalls can help prevent access to fake sites before any damage is done.

Fraudulent Apps

While app stores are generally safe, fraudulent apps can still slip through. Some may mimic popular apps to deceive users into downloading malware, while others pose as free versions of paid apps. Malicious apps can steal your data or damage your device after installation.

To avoid these, always check the app's reviews, download numbers, and developer information. Be wary of poorly rated apps with spelling errors in their descriptions, and ensure the permissions requested by an app make sense for its function.

Remote Access Scams

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows for remote access to your computer, and scammers often exploit this to steal data. Typically, they'll pose as tech support and convince you there's a problem with your device that only they can fix, gaining access to your computer in the process.

Most legitimate companies will never ask for remote access, so if someone does, be skeptical. Keeping your operating system and software up to date can also help protect against these kinds of attacks.

USB Drives

An old but still effective trick is the use of infected USB drives. These might be left in public places or given away as freebies at events, tempting someone to plug them into their computer. Once connected, the malware can install itself, compromising your system.

To stay safe, avoid using unknown USB drives and always scan external devices before opening them.

Some other things to consider when trying to stay safe and avoid malware:

• Always install updates for your operating system and any programs you've downloaded. These updates often include important security patches.
• Use strong passwords or better yet strong pass-phrases and ensure no two accounts use the same one and wherever possible, use two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
• Know the signs of infection including unusual pop-ups, slow performance, or unrecognized programs.

Whether on the road or working from your home or office, we each have a personal responsibility to keep our communications and systems free from malware and viruses. Brushing up on the latest best practices and informing your personal and professional networks of them can help us all stay productive and cybersafe. Please share this article with your networks.