Enterprise Technology Spotlight: Digital transformation, public sector, Internet of Things

As the technology landscape continues to shift dramatically, digital transformation is now a pivotal part of business strategies across all industry sectors and markets. This month, IDC predicted that two-thirds of CEOs of G2000 companies will have digital transformation at the center of their corporate strategies by the end of 2017*.

Network is at the center of digital transformation because it will enable and support the IT services and applications that will change how businesses operate, interact with and service their customers. To that end, Verizon launched its first set of global virtual network services. Where traditional networks worked well when market demands on enterprises were less dynamic, today, businesses have to be more innovative and agile. Working with key tech partners (Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper Networks, Palo Alto Networks, Riverbed and Viptela), Verizon’s solutions enable enterprises to transition to a virtual infrastructure model, providing greater agility and on-demand resources in a fully managed environment.

Additionally, digital transformation is picking up across the public sector in America. Digital government initiatives are enabling federal agencies to streamline operations, boost employee productivity, and deliver better programs and services to constituents, in a consistent, secure and cost-effective way. This has been underscored by a recent announcement detailing how Verizon has been awarded Networx contract extensions from the U.S. General Services Administration.

We conclude this week’s spotlight article with best practice tips for securing IoT. This comes in the wake of governments, organizations and standards bodies, such as the Internet Engineering Taskforce (IETF), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), discussing and creating guidelines for IoT security.

Here are the top stories from this week…

Verizon unveils ‘virtual network services’

Verizon’s Victoria Lonker discusses what the new network services mean for customers. “The enterprise CIO tells us they want to worry less about the network itself and more about their customers’ experience,” says Victoria Lonker, director, product and new business, at Verizon. “This means they need solutions that offer an integrated management option all the way from the app to the cloud in a very simple way that hopefully reduces total cost of ownership.” (Network World)

GSA extends Verizon’s federal network, communication services contracts

Verizon has been awarded Networx contract extensions from the U.S. General Services Administration. The contract extensions will provide federal agencies with the ability to continue procuring network and communications services from Verizon while the government transitions to a new, comprehensive solution-based contract, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions, or EIS.

Understanding the need for internet of things security standards

With the increase of cyber threats across the world, there is a need for the creation of a standard framework for IoT security. George Japak, Managing Director, ICSA Labs gives his views and also provides recommendations for best practice for secure IoT. (EBN Online)

*Digital Transformation Obstacles and How to Overcome Them, IDC Whitepaper, July 2016