"Inflow Technologies foresees network security opportunities as a key business driver"

The pandemic has completely changed the way organizations used to work. The biggest challenge during the pandemic was business continuity and delivering secure remote work solutions. Many organizations are struggling to cope up with business challenges. Security has also been an important aspect these days. With the increase in security breaches, securing the network environment becomes important and it opens up huge opportunities for the partner ecosystem.       

Aruba with its solution offerings can help organizations face new IT challenges. Aruba’s ESP solution, a next-generation, cloud-native architecture, helps organizations to hasten the digital journey. In a chat with VARINDIA, Byju Pillai, Group Managing Director, Inflow Technologies talks about opportunity in the network based security space, NaaS solution adding value to partners, Aruba’s ESP solution useful for network modernisation and much more - 

How does Inflow Technologies foresee opportunities into network based security in the country? 
Network security is one of the most important aspects to consider when working over the internet for any organization. In addition to protecting assets and the integrity of data from external exploits, network security can also manage network traffic more efficiently, enhance network performance and ensure secure data sharing between employees and data sources.

Being one of the fastest-growing value-added distributors in India, cyber security and network based security has always been our main product offering in our vast portfolio. As we see a lot of disruption in technology and the need for a secure environment, Inflow Technologies believes in giving solutions to the problems which have always been a big opportunity. 

Inflow Technologies foresees network security opportunities as a key business driver and has therefore moved security to the top of the list since inception.

IDC forecasts that worldwide cyber security spending will reach to $ 174.7 Billion in 2024 with security services the largest and fastest-growing market segment, in which a significant part of this spend will be towards network security. As per CERT, enterprises in India witnessed a threefold increase in cyber security related incidents in 2020 compared to 2019, recording 1.16 million breaches and it is further expected to increase.

Eco-systems involving cybersecurity vendors, distributors and system integrators/channel partners have a key role in providing the right solutions to customers so that they are protected from threats.

How is Aruba adding value to its partners by offering Network-as-a-Service?
Aruba’s Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) provides the hardware, software and services based on its subscription model. Payments are based on requirements, including the pay as you use option, thus saving the capital for the customers, while they also have the flexibility to scale the network. The Aruba NaaS has the option of third party management, as this will bring in the necessary skills and experience of network experts to manage the network. For partners who have been trying to make the jump into managed services, cloud-based services, remote solutions and business continuity, Aruba’s offerings will help start the conversation with their customers.

This model ensures a consistent connection with the end customer and also becomes a recurring revenue opportunity for partners. 

How is Aruba enabling its partners to address new IT challenges post pandemic?
One of the biggest IT challenges during the pandemic and post-pandemic has been to sustain business continuity and to deliver secure remote work solutions to the distributed workforce. Most businesses around the world are struggling to adapt to “the new normal,” but Aruba can help make it easier. Post-pandemic, businesses will also be reimagining their office setups altogether, office layout and frequency of employee visits that are more on-demand and modular. This type of next-generation space poses challenges to traditional networking and security infrastructure intended for a static work environment, Aruba ESP (Edge Services Platform) solution enables the partner to address these new IT Challenges. 

Aruba ESP is a next-generation, cloud-native architecture that enables organizations to accelerate digital business transformation through automated network management, edge-to-cloud security, and predictive AI-powered insights.

Kindly share how Aruba ESP solution is useful for network modernisation?
Aruba ESP is an edge services platform that combines unified infrastructure and management with AIOps and Zero Trust Security. Aruba ESP is specifically designed to address the challenges that come at the edge of the network and is the backbone of all Aruba technology and solutions. Its cloud-managed orchestration across wired, wireless and SD-WAN infrastructure gives the IT department a complete view of the network. 

Aruba ESP’s AIOps reveal and resolve issues before they can happen, the unified infrastructure brings in management and troubleshooting in a single platform, and Zero Trust Security addresses all new vectors of attacks with IoT coming into the network.

How do you see the adoption of edge to cloud technology among organizations?
Edge-to-cloud computing can improve operational responsiveness, increase energy efficiency, and drive business model innovation. It will be able to modernize the network and transform decision responsiveness. To remain competitive, organizations in the industry will need to evolve from a centralized cloud approach to one that includes edge technology.