Dimension Data Releases 2nd Annual Network Barometer Report

In 2008, Dimension Data developed the Technology Lifecycle Management (TLM) Assessment – an IP-based service that provides organizations with the compass they need to navigate and chart the IT assets on their networks, enabling fundamental security, configuration and end-of-life network device issues to be proactively addressed. To stay abreast of the latest security issues and configuration trends in the network environment, a global Network Barometer report on the network readiness status is published annually to cover the results of these TLM Assessments. Datacraft is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dimension Data.

The 2010 Network Barometer Report, which covers the results of 235 TLM Assessments, highlights three key findings. They include 1) vulnerabilities are generally known but not effectively addressed; 2) organizations need to align to published best practice standards to minimize risk; and 3) more planning discipline is required in network asset management.

The good news is that device security vulnerabilities have declined from 73% (2009) to 38% in 2010. However lifecycle milestones of IT assets are not being managed efficiently, with 35% of all network devices reaching technology obsolescence. The report also indicated that there are 40.7 configuration violations per network device.

While many more organisations are waking up to the fact that such a mission critical infrastructure needs careful management, there remains a lack of understanding as to where attention and resources should be focused in order to effectively mitigate risk and maximise return on investment.

According to Matthew Gyde, General Manager for Network Integration and Security Solutions, Datacraft Asia, “Sweating network and IT assets beyond obsolescence places organisations at risk which could have an impact on overall business strategy, especially if organisations are looking for the cost efficiencies of cloud based services.”

“Networks are the backbone of an organization. Optimized networks ensure smooth business function, connectivity and provide a strong platform for taking advantage of cloud computing. While the cloud is an exciting development in the IT industry, organizations with less efficient networks may experience lags on the value of cloud based services,” explains Gyde.

Meanwhile, the Network Barometer Report 2010 highlights some additional positive findings. “In the past year alone, we’ve seen an uptake in the number of organizations wanting detailed assessments of their networks. This indicates that organizations are starting to adopt a philosophy towards network optimization. The reality is that organizations must pay more attention to their networks and adopt network planning as a tool for greater productivity,” Gyde concludes.

For more information about Datacraft, and to download the free Network Barometer Report 2010, visit http://www.datacraft-asia.com/networkbarometer

About Datacraft

Datacraft is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dimension Data plc (LSE:DDT), a US$4 billion leading global IT solutions and services provider. Datacraft operates in over 50 offices across 13 Asia Pacific countries. We help clients plan, build, support, manage, improve and innovate their IT infrastructures. Datacraft combines an expertise in networking, security, data centre, storage, Microsoft solutions and converged communications & contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration, training and managed services to craft IT solutions for businesses. For more information, please visit www.datacraft-asia.com

About the Network Barometer Report 2010

The Network Barometer Report 2010, published by Dimension Data on the status of networks globally, aggregates data from 235 organisations and the Technology Lifecycle Management (TLM) Assessments conducted by Dimension Data around the world during 2009. The Report reviews networks’ readiness to support business by reviewing the security vulnerabilities, end-of-life status and configuration variance from best practice of network devices.

About the Technology Lifecycle Management (TLM) Assessment

The Technology Lifecycle Management (TLM) Assessment is an IT infrastructure asset assessment service that discovers, catalogues and analyses assets on the network. It identifies basic configuration, end-of-life and security issues so that they can be proactively addressed.