A survey by A10 Networks reveals the effects of the pandemic: German service providers are seeing a massive increase in demand. Demand, work processes and planned investment intentions of German communication service providers are experiencing far-reaching strategic adjustments due to the effects of COVID-19.
A current, international survey by A10 Networks reveals various adjustments in the strategy of communication service providers from Germany and the EMEA region. Due to the special focus on the effects of higher network loads due to the corona pandemic, the research results are also gaining relevance and show the strategic orientation of leading telecommunications service providers for the coming years.
Communication landscape with weak points
The results illustrate the weak points in an increasingly complex and diverse communication landscape. In addition, the findings of the study also make it clear that the topic of cybersecurity is moving further into the focus of decision-makers and those responsible and is becoming increasingly relevant. Over 1.200 participants from five countries and regions, including Germany, Great Britain and France, answered questions about essential challenges in the areas of cybersecurity, multi-cloud management and remote working as part of the study. In addition, their assessment of a return to normal was determined and plans for current investment intentions were examined in more detail.
Focus on data and network bandwidth
More than half (55 percent) of the German service providers stated in the A10 survey that they had expanded the infrastructure in their entire network due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, 57 percent had to increase their network capacity at certain locations with high demand and 52 percent of those surveyed decided to reallocate the network capacity in order to meet the changes in demand.
All of the 251 people surveyed in Germany stated that the pandemic had increased their demand for data and network bandwidth. In detail, 64 percent of those questioned even agreed with the statement that the increase was between more than half and three quarters more than the previously recorded occupancy rate. On average, demand increased by 56 percent.
Investment plans of German communication service providers
A10 Networks survey reveals the effects of the pandemic: German service providers are seeing a massive increase in demand (Image: A10Networks).
One consequence of this increased workload is that the investment plans of German communications service providers have changed significantly. More than half of the respondents (51 percent) plan to invest more heavily in cybersecurity in the future than before - a fact that can also be attributed to increased digital attacks on employees in the home office. In addition, almost two thirds of those surveyed (58 percent) want to cut back on investments in their own network and push the use of public cloud providers more strongly than before.
"How heterogeneous the expectations of the service providers are for the future can be seen particularly in the investment plans," explains Heiko Frank, Principal System Engineer at A10 Networks. “Around 42 percent of those surveyed stated that their investment plans are currently on hold. On the other hand, 49 percent stated that investments in their own network are currently being increased. "
Relocation to the home office remains a big trend
Another finding from the survey is that the world of work is increasingly adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and that means such as home office and the provision of digital platforms for customer loyalty are becoming more and more central. More than half (56 percent) of those questioned saw an increase in the demand for online platforms, such as B. Customer self-service portals noted. In addition, around half of those surveyed said that customers are now more concerned about business continuity and resilience. This may be due to the fact that almost half of the respondents (49 percent) also had to process a larger pool of customers and subscribers due to the pandemic.
74 percent want employees to work from home
The working environment is also clearly in a phase of upheaval, which is likely to last longer. 74 percent of the German respondents stated that their customers continue to employ their employees from home. Only 26 percent of those surveyed expect a return to normality after the pandemic, as it was before the pandemic.
Heiko Frank, Principal System Engineer at A10 Networks
"It is understandable that the topic of cybersecurity is moving even more into the focus of many companies due to the development towards home offices," explains Heiko Frank. “So it's not surprising that 64 percent of those surveyed see optimized endpoint security as the most pressing problem at the moment. Overall, we could see a higher awareness of cybersecurity issues. This is a good development, which can mainly be explained by the challenges of the modern working world. ”This trend is also confirmed by the fact that training programs for employees (55 percent) and multifactor authentication (45 percent) continue to move into the focus of the respondents .
Cybersecurity remains the foundation
In terms of corporate strategy, the focus on cybersecurity issues is also clear from the survey by A10 Networks. 56 percent of German providers see upgrading firewalls and other security tools against new threats over the next two years as their top priority. In addition, almost half of the German respondents - i.e. 46 percent - stated that DDoS defense in the entire network infrastructure (core and edge) continues to have priority for them. In addition, protection against ransomware also plays a major role for corporate customers.
“A fundamental focus on functioning cloud services and cybersecurity measures must be an essential part of the company's future strategy,” explains Heiko Frank. “Many companies have already taken the first important step: They have recognized that a far-reaching concept is crucial for the provision of their services. When implementing the corresponding concepts and solutions, you can rely on reliable partners such as A10 Networks in a targeted manner. "
Directly to the survey evaluation at A10Nnetworks.com
Via A10 Networks A10 Networks (NYSE: ATEN) provides secure application services for on-premises, multi-cloud and edge-cloud environments at hyperscale speeds. The company enables service providers and companies to deliver business-critical applications that are secure, available and efficient for the transformation to multi-cloud and 5G. A10 Networks enables better business results that support investment protection, new business models and future-proof infrastructures, and enable customers to deliver a secure and accessible digital experience. A10 Networks was founded in 2004, is based in San Jose, California, and serves customers worldwide. More information is available at www.a10networks.com and @ A10Networks.