January 2026
by Anthony Lobretto
Anthony Lobretto at 11:11 Systems argues that networks can no longer remain an afterthought in conversations about cyber-security.
As enterprises accelerate digital transformation, networking has become essential to business resilience, agility, and trust. Previously considered background infrastructure, it now informs every strategic discussion on risk, performance, and growth.
In a time of relentless disruption, whether through cyber incidents, climate events, or geopolitical instability, an organisation’s ability to respond, recover, and continue serving customers increasingly depends on its network. Yet in many boardrooms, the conversation about resilience still centres on data backups and recovery sites, while the network remains an afterthought.
That oversight carries real consequences. Cockroach Lab’s The State of Resilience 2025 survey reveals that organisations experience an average of 86 outages per year, with more than half encountering service interruptions weekly. Meanwhile, 11:11 Systems’ Global Cyber Trends Report highlights that network complexity and lack of visibility are now among the most cited barriers to achieving cyber resilience. These findings should prompt boards to reconsider the role of networking as a strategic asset that underpins every dimension of business performance.