If humans have peripheral nervous systems, enterprises have networks exchanging data. Each enterprise network likely has hundreds or even thousands of components through which network traffic flows constantly.

Managing a secure, scalable, and reliable network has become more challenging as organizations rely more on cloud services, IoT devices, and remote teams. Downtime, security breaches, and slow network speeds become prevalent, affecting productivity and the bottom line.

Taking advantage of emerging technologies and best practices is vital to maintaining a robust and adaptable network. Read through this complete guide to determine the best practices that your team can implement to improve network agility, reduce risk, and support future innovation.

Common Network Management Challenges Impacting Enterprise Performance

Network issues frustrate users, reduce productivity, overwhelm IT teams, and create challenges for network administrators. A poorly maintained network risks outages, which can be debilitating and expensive for enterprises. Various problems can affect network performance, and some are complex to identify and understand.

Frequent Downtime and Network Disruptions

User demand increases as organizations grow and add more devices, which can overwhelm their networks. Networks not designed for growth can quickly become congested and cause performance bottlenecks. These scalability issues often stem from insufficient initial planning and a lack of flexibility in network design. As a result, enterprises face slow performance during critical periods.

Complexity in Managing Hybrid and Multi-Site Networks

Managing a cohesive network has become increasingly complicated, with hybrid work models and multi-site operations becoming the norm for many enterprises. Outdated security protocols, poor segmentation, and unpatched systems expose organizations to risks like unauthorized access, data breaches, and ransomware attacks.

Essential Network Management Best Practices for Scalability and Security

A secure and efficient network is no longer a nice-to-have for organizations but a prerequisite for modern business functions. Effective network management offers organizations several benefits, including:

• Improved network efficiency and fewer unplanned outages
• Greater network flexibility
• Enhanced ROI from network infrastructure investments

To maximize your network investment and achieve these advantages, your organization must follow these best practices:

Perform Comprehensive Network Assessments Regularly

Understanding your network's current state before implementing any network improvements is always good practice, especially when you’re not working on a clean slate. Hidden vulnerabilities in your network can quietly become one of your most significant operational risks if left unchecked. 

You could conduct a network assessment when onboarding a new client or process, noticing changes in your network performance, or migrating data from on-premises to the cloud. Begin the assessment by thoroughly examining your network topology, hardware performance, security protocols, bandwidth capacity, and any external connections that pose vulnerabilities. Document your findings and take the time to compare them against the standard you have set for your networks. Keep an accurate record to track your network changes and troubleshoot potential issues.

Optimize Network Design for Scalability and Redundancy

Many organizations struggle with networks that weren't built to scale. Outdated hardware and suboptimal software can reduce available bandwidth and increase latency; unreliable Wi-Fi coverage negatively affects performance, and so on. If a network failure occurs, the entire operation will suffer from downtime.

Consider mesh Wi-Fi systems or strategically placed access points to mitigate potential outages and maintain consistent network performance. Monitor network traffic regularly to identify congestion points and adjust configurations to support smooth operations as your network scales.

Implement Advanced Network Segmentation

Network vulnerabilities extend beyond the network itself and can also compromise your data. Implementing robust segmentation strategies using VLANs or SDN technologies can isolate critical systems from less secure ones, such as guests or IoT devices. Network segmentation can improve your organization’s network traffic control and minimize security risks, particularly in spaces with high device density​.

Utilize Proactive Monitoring and Real-Time Analytics

Reactive network management often means discovering issues after they’ve already caused damage. Proactive monitoring, on the other hand, gives you visibility into your network’s performance as it happens. Monitoring network traffic, usage patterns, and performance in real-time can address problems before they escalate and help you make data-driven adjustments. 

Adopt Network as a Service (NaaS) for Flexible Management

Like most technologies, enterprise networking is becoming more complicated as new hardware, services, and security measures are introduced. Meanwhile, teams are expected to do more, from supporting regular network functions to revenue-generating initiatives.

Transitioning to a Network as a Service (NaaS) model can reduce the burden on internal IT teams by outsourcing network management to expert providers. NaaS providers, such as WZC Networking, provide ongoing support, regular updates, and scalability on demand.

WZC Networking offers Wireless Connect +, an AI-native Network as a Service solution that delivers an agile and scalable enterprise-level network. A comprehensive NaaS solution allows organizations to succeed in their network initiatives.

Take the Next Step—Build a Future-Ready Enterprise through Network as a Service (NaaS)

Effective network management is the foundation of a secure, scalable, and high-performing enterprise. Implementing these best practices will position your enterprise for efficiency and growth. 

As you enhance your network for the upcoming year, turn to the experts at WZC Networking. WZC Networking has partnered with enterprises to deliver customized solutions to optimize network performance through:

• Enterprise-class network solutions
• Advanced security measures
• Scalable infrastructure
• 24/7 monitoring and support
• Simple lifecycle management
• An AI-driven approach to smarter management

Ready to simplify your enterprise network management? Partner with WZC Networking to strengthen your network for the future.