The Network Modernization Imperative
A CIO guide to design, build, and operate AI-ready networks
Your enterprise network is becoming the control layer for AI at scale
As AI moves from pilots into production, the enterprise network has a bigger job to do. Distributed AI workloads, GPU clusters, agents and real-time applications are changing how data moves — putting new pressure on performance, security and network operations.
IDC research shows that 72% of organizations expect connectivity technology to be extremely important or mission-critical to business success within two years. Yet only one in five AI initiatives includes IT in ROI planning, creating a growing disconnect between AI ambition and the infrastructure required to deliver it.
The new IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by NTT DATA and Cisco, explores why network modernization is no longer a routine technology refresh. It provides a secure, software-defined blueprint for modernizing datacenter, WAN and campus networks — using automation, observability and agentic operations to boost performance, resilience and control.
Download the IDC InfoBrief to understand how network modernization can help turn AI investment into outcomes at scale.