Enterprise networks are buckling under the pressure of cloud sprawl, hybrid workforces, and escalating cybersecurity threats. Yet most organizations are still managing them the old-fashioned way. That’s where Network as a Service (NaaS) comes in, offering a more scalable, flexible, and secure way to manage enterprise connectivity. This article dives deep into all the reasons and benefits of this relatively new approach.
The Current State Of Information Technology
The average size of IT teams has remained stable for many years. However, organizations are lately bringing in non-IT staff quicker than IT positions, leading to a greater number of employees that each specialist needs to assist. Furthermore, there is a noticeable decrease in young people acquiring expertise in networking and wireless technologies.
In addition, today’s networking requirements are more demanding than ever, with a growing multitude of connected devices, more complex capacity requirements, and increased helpdesk requests.
For example, a network for a 100,000-square-foot warehouse for a retailer in the early 2000s might have only had to support a few personal computers, some printers, and basic equipment. Today’s warehouse systems must support many devices, such as computers, sensors, and robots that operate independently.
The current state of the IT environment—where IT teams are overextended and understaffed yet expected to manage increasingly complex networks—has changed how these experts design, implement, and supervise frameworks.
What is Network as a Service?
NaaS is a cloud-centric model that allows clients to access services from third-party providers to handle their networks instead of installing and managing their physical systems. This model shifts businesses from hardware-based setups to software-defined networking.
Born from the demand for organizations to develop more dependable and high-performing wide area networks (WANs) compared to traditional configurations, NaaS offers a subscription-based approach as a cost-effective alternative to leasing telecommunications connections and building personal infrastructure. It is easy to access and add on to privately connected links between their Points of Presence (PoPs), cloud service providers, and managed services.
This facilitates business expansion in terms of connectivity and integration globally within data centres, clouds, and other geographical regions without the necessity of maintaining on-site infrastructure.
NaaS supersedes or upgrades all systems, e.g., Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), and virtual private networks (VPNs). It implies that hard copy equipment like load balancers and firewalls is not required, offering organizations additional freedom in connection methods and location, and saving them on expenditures.
The Factors Propelling The Expansion Of Naas:
Before the introduction of NaaS, organizations maintained their wide area networks (WAN) using privately deployed grids, leased lines, on-premises, and Internet VPNs. However, this was not the case when cloud services became popular. The data that flowed within corporate networks and through the internet became so inefficient that it resulted in continual inefficiency in latency, jitter, traffic congestion, and security issues.
With the evolution of networking technology, the applications earlier supported by hardware (such as a firewall and load balancer) became possible in virtual space. This method will allow employees to safely use cloud services without making them run through corporate VPNs and local WAN setups.
By outsourcing their WAN tasks to NaaS, companies will have full access to the applications and services provided by the cloud providers, which leads to better performance, easier control, and increased flexibility.
While NaaS is not an entirely novel concept, its acceptance continues to increase for several reasons:
The rise of cloud services, hybrid clouds, and edge computing has made connectivity more complex, making Network as a Service an ideal solution for easy management.
With a hybrid and remote workforce in the post-pandemic era, NaaS offers on-demand global connectivity, simplifying management across locations.
It also helps organizations with tighter budgets by reducing capital expenditure (CAPEX) and allowing scalable solutions.
Additionally, NaaS supports a multivendor connectivity strategy, enabling efficient use of different providers.
Network as a Service enables flexible security solutions for evolving cybersecurity threats. It helps fast-paced industries manage priorities with scalable bandwidth and reduces hardware reliance, promoting sustainability and ESG goals. Additionally, NaaS supports key technologies like SD-WAN, SASE, and AI applications for innovative solutions.
Benefits Of Naas Compared To Conventional Networking:
Cost efficiency
Shifting your network infrastructure from physical equipment to software allows you to avoid buying routers, switches, firewalls, and circuits with minimal upfront costs. Moreover, you will continue to decrease capital expenses over time by linking to data centers, clouds, and partners without needing colocation space or physical connections.
A usage-based model lets you pay only for the connections you need. This approach helps you better manage your budget and adjust your connectivity to reduce operating costs.
Reliability
Software-defined networking has built-in options for backup and failover to minimize downtime. If a connection fails, the system quickly redirects traffic to keep everything running smoothly. Different routes across several data centers and regions help maintain high availability. Private NaaS connections avoid the unpredictable nature of the public internet, which helps eliminate slowdowns.
Many Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) providers offer reliable service agreements because they provide clear benefits. This gives your team confidence and improves the experience for your clients.
Scalability
Elastic NaaS connectivity lets businesses quickly change their needs without needing physical equipment. You can easily increase or decrease your capacity, which helps avoid wasting resources. You can also add or remove network connections in just a few minutes.
Furthermore, you can integrate and enhance your cloud network by linking various cloud providers and data centers, and you can automate grid adjustments for shifting workloads. This can be achieved on a pay-as-you-go model without any long-term commitments.
Simplified management
Transform hardware-dependent processes into a cohesive, software-based management system that enables you to oversee all your global connections from one interface. Rely on the service provider to handle hardware oversight, updates, and troubleshooting, while enhancing your team’s productivity with flexible APIs. Encryption, firewalls, and compliance tools collaborate to simplify network management.
Improved performance
Software-defined routing lets you avoid using the public internet. Instead, it uses private, high-speed connections to clouds, data centers, and service providers. This helps your data travel quickly and efficiently along the best route.
You can adjust capacity in real time to avoid congestion and maintain top performance. Dedicated links reduce packet loss and jitter, while the quick ability to change capacity helps eliminate bottlenecks and use bandwidth best.
Additionally, having global backbones and access to several service providers ensures smooth connections with fewer steps. These benefits lead to increased uptime, improved operations, and quicker time to market.
Fast deployment
The delays and lengthy deployment procedures commonly linked to traditional telecom companies are eliminated when collaborating with a NaaS provider. Automated, software-driven orchestration replaces manual provisioning, enabling you to set up virtual connections within minutes via a self-service portal or API. Obtain immediate and on-demand access to cloud service providers, managed service organizations, and colocation centers. Moreover, you can quickly establish or modify connections as your business needs change.
Improved security
Employ dedicated connections, built-in security features, and comprehensive encryption based on a private network foundation to reduce your susceptibility to online risks. Software-defined routing helps improve Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) by controlling who can access the grid. It does this by checking users’ identities and applying the principle of minimal privilege, meaning users only get the access they truly need.
Further strengthen your security by using APIs to apply consistent encryption, segmentation, and compliance protocols across all your connections.
Flexibility
Easily connect different cloud environments with flexible multicloud and hybrid cloud systems infrastructure. Use tools like SD-WAN, SASE, MPLS, and bare metal setups to link your network endpoints and improve performance.
Difficulties associated with Network as a Service.
If you are thinking about moving from a traditional WAN network to Network as a Service, keep these challenges in mind:
Dependency on providers: Depending on a NaaS provider for critical aspects like reliability, performance, or security can expose you to their potential outages or interruptions in service. To reduce this risk, opt for a provider with multiple global locations and a strong uptime Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Security issues: While built-in security features can make companies feel safe, extra network protection is essential. This could mean using custom encryption or following specific regulations.
Customization limitations: Large organizations with complex network requirements may find that NaaS solutions provide less customization than traditional, fully on-premises infrastructures. In these situations, additional modifications might be required to optimize their NaaS configuration, but these efforts usually result in a good return on investment.
Legacy system conflicts: Moving your applications to NaaS can be more challenging if your infrastructure mainly consists of on-premises systems with outdated hardware. Look for a provider offering hybrid cloud and edge solutions to integrate NaaS effectively with your current on-premises infrastructure. Be prepared to upgrade specific components to achieve complete compatibility.
Inflexibility: Consider the systems and processes you implement around your NaaS provider’s existing operations, as this will complicate future provider changes or configurations.
NaaS Compared To Other “As A Service” Solutions
Various as-a-service models offer on-demand IT resources designed to address different needs. Below are some frequently cited offerings along with their unique characteristics.
NaaS is a cloud-centric model that focuses solely on networking services and provides on-demand solutions for businesses that need scalable, high-performance, and secure architectures without managing hardware.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud service that helps users easily build and run applications. It allows developers to create and manage applications without worrying about servers or the underlying technology.
Software as a Service (SaaS) lets you access software online without installing or managing it on your device. You can easily use these applications through a web browser. Both businesses and individuals use SaaS for tasks like productivity, communication, and collaboration. Examples of SaaS include Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a type of cloud computing that provides virtual resources like servers, storage, and networking. You only pay for what you use, which makes it affordable. Organizations looking for flexible, on-demand IT infrastructure can utilize IaaS without investing in physical hardware.
Desktop as a Service (DaaS): a cloud-based virtual desktop solution that allows users to access their desktop environment remotely via the internet. DaaS options are especially beneficial for companies with remote workforces that need secure, scalable desktop setups.
Use Cases For NaaS
Companies implementing a cloud-first approach: Achieve smooth connections to public and private cloud systems.
Real-time operating industries: Improve uptime, reduce latency, and quickly scale for urgent network demands such as streaming, financial service markets, and online retail transactions.
Worldwide organizations: Optimize interconnectivity among all your global locations and service providers.
Hybrid cloud infrastructures: Create secure and scalable connections between on-site systems and cloud services.
Remote and distributed teams: Ensure secure and fast access for every user.
Network branches: Expand your grid without needing IT staff on-site, improving connectivity for branch offices. This is particularly useful for the healthcare and retail industries.
Launching NaaS: Start your NaaS easily with an entirely virtual setup—just pick your provider and follow their steps to set up your connections.
Conclusion
As companies increasingly use cloud services and expand their IT systems, traditional networking methods struggle to keep up. Network as a Service provides a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution. It helps businesses enhance their infrastructure without purchasing hardware or managing ample resources.
NaaS does raise some concerns, such as reliance on service providers and limited customization options. However, it can simplify operations, improve performance, and quickly adapt to changing business needs, making it an attractive option for companies looking to the future. IT leaders should consider how NaaS fits into their connectivity plans and take advantage of its benefits in a cloud-focused environment.
