For many organisations, the network has quietly become one of the most critical components of their digital environment. It underpins access to applications, data, communications and cloud services, yet it’s often still treated as background infrastructure rather than a core part of the operating model.
As hybrid working, cloud adoption and digital services continue to expand, network environments have become more distributed and complex. That complexity is now creating a growing compliance and operational risk for IT leaders, particularly in regulated and public sector environments.
Network complexity is increasing faster than governance
Most organisations today operate a mix of legacy and modern infrastructure. In the UK, government research has shown that more than 25% of central government digital systems are still classified as legacy, costing taxpayers an estimated £45 billion each year[1]. This challenge is not limited to the public sector. In financial services, the Financial Conduct Authority reported in 2024 that 92% of firms continue to rely on legacy technology within their core environments.[2]
Combined with the shift towards hybrid working, where users connect from offices, homes and third-party locations, security controls are increasingly layered across multiple tools and platforms, adding further complexity to already stretched environments.
This level of complexity increases attack surface and makes environments harder to govern. Research from the National Audit Office[3] also highlighted a shortage of digital and technical expertise within organisations as a key factor behind wasted expenditure and slow progress in major digital transformation programmes.
More tools do not necessarily reduce risk
A common response to growing risk is to deploy additional security or networking tools. While these technologies are important, industry research from IBM shows that tool sprawl can increase complexity if not supported by a clear operating model. The fragmented security tooling and limited operational integration reduce visibility, slow response and can increase overall risk despite high levels of investment.
Many breaches and incidents occur not because a control was missing, but because it was misconfigured, poorly monitored or operating in isolation. Attackers increasingly exploit gaps between systems rather than single points of failure.
Without clear accountability and ongoing oversight, even well invested environments can become harder to manage and more exposed to risk over time.
Reframing the network as an operating model
To address this challenge, IT leaders are increasingly reframing the network as a managed operating environment rather than a collection of components. This means designing, operating and governing the network as a single estate, with security and compliance embedded into day-to-day operations. Visibility, monitoring and policy enforcement need to be consistent across users, locations and applications, with clear ownership and accountability.
Guidance from the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advises organisations to build security principles into systems early and maintain operational assurance throughout their lifecycle[4]. UK government operational resilience frameworks further stress the need to understand and protect dependencies across critical infrastructure. Together these standards show that security and compliance require continuous governance across applications and network operations alike.
Reducing risk through operational control
Addressing these challenges requires more than incremental technology investment. As network environments grow in complexity, many organisations are recognising the value of working with trusted third parties that can provide operational expertise, consistent governance and ongoing accountability. Independent partners play a critical role in helping IT leaders maintain visibility, manage risk and demonstrate compliance across increasingly distributed environments.
It’s this shift that led Cisco to introduce the Cisco 360 Partner programme, recognising partners that go beyond deployment to support customers in operating, governing and securing their environments over time. The programme reflects the reality that long term business outcomes depend not just on the technology chosen, but on how it is designed, run and managed day to day.
Why choose us, a Cisco Preferred Partner to work with?
Proven expertise and certified skills
As a Cisco Preferred Partner, we meet strict certification and competency requirements, this means:
- Our engineers are trained and certified on Cisco technologies
- We’ve demonstrated real world delivery experience
- Our designs follow Cisco best practices
For your organisation, this translates to fewer design flaws, faster deployments, and more stable networks.
Access to Cisco resources and support
As a Preferred Partner, we have direct access to Cisco that non‑certified providers don’t. This includes:
- Priority access to Cisco Technical Assistance Centre (TAC)
- Early visibility of product roadmaps and updates
- Escalation paths for complex or critical issues
For your organisation, this ensures faster problem resolution and better outcomes during outages or high‑risk changes.
Better design and scalability
As a Cisco Preferred Partner, we don’t just “install kit”, we architect networks with growth at the forefront. For you, this means:
- Scalable designs that support cloud, hybrid work, and IoT
- Security built‑in at the network layer
- Optimised performance for voice, video, and critical apps
The result is a network that can grow in line with your business, rather than needing costly re‑engineering later.
Enhanced security and compliance
As a Cisco partner, we’re trained on Cisco’s security portfolio and secure network methodologies, including:
- Zero-trust and secure access strategies
- Advanced threat detection and response
- Compliance‑ready designs (e.g., GDPR, ISO‑aligned controls)
For your organisation, this reduces cyber risk, regulatory exposure, and downtime.
Cost efficiency and investment protection
As a Preferred Partner, we focus on delivering long‑term value, resulting in better total cost of ownership (TCO) through:
- Correct sizing (no over or under specification)
- Reduced rework and fewer failures
- Access to Cisco promotions, lifecycle planning, and licensing guidance
For your organisation, this protects your investment and avoids hidden long‑term costs.
Accountability and quality assurance
Being a Cisco Preferred Partner means we’re held to Cisco’s standards, and subject to:
- Regular audits and performance reviews
- Customer satisfaction requirements
- Risk of losing partner status if quality slips
This creates a level of accountability and professionalism not always present with generic IT providers.
Strategic partnership, not just a supplier
As a Preferred Partner, we’re able to act as an extension of your IT strategy, offering:
- Technology road mapping aligned to business goals
- Advice on modernisation, cloud networking and automation
- Ongoing optimisation rather than “set and forget”
For your organisation, this supports outcomes, not just technical delivery.
In summary, our Cisco Preferred Partner status means we’re aligned with Cisco to:
- Maintain the highest levels of knowledge and expertise
- Build secure, scalable networks
- Reduce risk and downtime
- Protect your long‑term investment
We’re proud to be recognised as a Cisco 360 Partner for our ability to deliver secure, future-ready infrastructure with full end-to-end accountability, turning complex technology into measurable business outcomes.
[1] Source: Tech Monitor: UK government admits over 25% of its digital systems are outdated, January 2025: https://www.techmonitor.ai/digital-economy/government-computing/legacy-technology-costs-uk-public-sector-45bn-annually
[2] Source: LSEG Insights, June 2024: https://www.lseg.com/en/insights/data-analytics/how-much-problem-is-legacy-tech-for-financial-services
[3] Source: Tech Monitor: UK government admits over 25% of its digital systems are outdated, January 2025: https://www.techmonitor.ai/digital-economy/government-computing/legacy-technology-costs-uk-public-sector-45bn-annually
[4] Source: NCSC Risk Management: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/risk-management
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