The Last Great Cloud Transformation

Better Connectivity and Security Through Network Modernization - The Last Great Cloud Transformation EP5

As enterprises shift applications to the cloud and adopt hybrid work models, traditional networks have struggled to keep pace, becoming more complex, less agile, and unable to deliver the security, performance, and manageability needed for modern demands. Legacy designs don’t adequately support today’s cloud-centric and distributed work environments, leaving organizations in need of a cloud-era network approach. Cloud-delivered networking offers a solution, providing connectivity and security close to users while enhancing performance and protection. A connectivity cloud enables seamless, secure connections across global edge locations, granting administrators centralized visibility and control. By leveraging its flexibility, organizations can modernize incrementally, adapting their network to evolving requirements and creating a foundation for ongoing cloud-driven innovation.

Regaining Control Over your Multi-Cloud Environment - The Last Great Cloud Transformation EP4

In today's episode, hosts Alan Shimel and Mitch Ashley are joined by Annika Garbers (Cloudflare). As nearly all enterprises embrace multi-cloud strategies, with 98% using or planning to use multiple clouds, they gain access to unique services, cutting-edge technologies, and competitive pricing. However, this approach brings significant security challenges. As organizations expand their cloud usage, they often lose visibility and control over their environments, struggling to manage disparate security tools from various vendors. Meanwhile, cyberthreats continue to rise in number and sophistication. Enter the connectivity cloud—a solution built on a global network that simplifies multi-cloud management. By providing seamless connectivity, unified security policies, and real-time threat intelligence, the connectivity cloud helps businesses regain control, ensuring security without sacrificing performance.

Reducing the Complexity of Data Localization - The Last Great Cloud Transformation EP3

As organizations accelerate their cloud journey, many are losing visibility into and control over their IT environments. That’s a problem not only for securing apps and data, but also for complying with a growing number of government regulations. In particular, governments around the world are implementing data sovereignty and localization regulations such as GDPR in the EU, CCPA in California and many others regionally that define exactly where data must be processed and stored. Global organizations often have to comply with multiple regulations, while simultaneously trying to manage and protect their increasingly complicated environments.
How can organizations keep moving forward in the cloud, and also adhere to numerous data sovereignty and data localization laws? They need a new kind of cloud — one that transforms the network, restoring visibility and control for their complex environments. A connectivity cloud delivers that transformation. By integrating enterprise networks and the Internet, organizations regain control over their environments. They can comply with laws by setting precise rules for where data is processed and stored. And they can securely route data to the right places without the performance penalties of using distant core data centers. With the connectivity cloud, data sovereignty and localization laws do not have to be obstacles on the cloud journey.

Running AI Inference at the Edge – The Last Great Cloud Transformation EP2

Organizations typically train AI models in large, centralized data centers provided by public cloud providers, but to effectively use AI in applications, it’s crucial to run these models closer to users. While small AI models can run on devices like smartphones and laptops, larger models require a robust edge network, consisting of GPU-powered data centers worldwide, to deliver fast, AI-driven insights. A connectivity cloud facilitates this by transforming networking, allowing organizations to build, secure, and run AI models at the edge, access open-source AI models, and leverage a global edge network for responsive, engaging user experiences.
Hosts Alan Shimel and Mitch Ashley are joined by Rita Kozlov (Cloudflare) and Ranny Haiby (Linux Foundation) for a lively discussion on Techstrong.TV.

Connectivity Cloud - The Last Great Cloud Transformation EP1

For 20 years the cloud computing revolution has been transforming how organizations operate and innovate. But the revolution is not yet complete. The final areas of transformation are networking and security, which have remained grounded in on-premises thinking and technologies. No longer. A majority of enterprises are planning to increase spending on network modernization. But what should the new, cloud-oriented network look like? It will be a “connectivity cloud,” an intelligent and programmable global cloud network, that enables organizations to modernize their networking and security practices, unlock new paths to innovation, and finally realize the full potential of the cloud revolution.