Don’t avoid NaaS, embrace it!
For nearly three decades, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of networking technologies. With the rapid advancement of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, our industry is experiencing another significant shift, one that storage and compute embarked upon long ago. Network engineers and IT leaders alike face transformation driven by Network-as-a-Service (NaaS). What does this mean for us keyboard jockeys? What does this mean for our organizations?
In recent years, innovative companies have redefined traditional products by distilling their essence and integrating modern technology to increase reliability and value. A few years ago, I joined Nile, a startup founded by former Cisco CEO John Chambers and other industry visionaries. Nile is reinventing enterprise networking by applying the principles of simplicity and automation to eliminate common network challenges. (Click here to read my blog about how Nile can eliminate network support tickets.)
During my two and a half years at Nile—first as a Systems Engineer and then as a Service Owner—I saw firsthand how powerful NaaS could be. Nile took a fresh, "clean-sheet" approach to enterprise networking, systematically addressing the most common networking issues. The platform eliminates layer-2 entirely, implements comprehensive end-to-end encryption, and provides automatic per-host segmentation. Leveraging AI, the Nile platform reduces human error and continuously optimizes network performance without manual intervention or complex configurations.
Shortly after joining Nile, I recall pitching NaaS to a customer (now friend) from my previous job, and his initial reaction surprised me: "Mike, I'm never bringing this to my management." He was concerned that automation and AI-driven networking could threaten his job security. This fear is understandable—technological shifts can often feel threatening—but what my friend eventually realized, and what I believe deeply, is that NaaS doesn't eliminate network engineers' roles; it elevates them.
Today, leading Cairo Networks, our mission is to help businesses and network engineers successfully transition into this inevitable NaaS future. At Cairo Networks, we've committed our focus to delivering Nile's groundbreaking NaaS solutions. Drawing from my direct experience at Nile, we provide the expertise necessary to help network engineers redefine their value in their organizations, and to help management use their brilliant engineers to advance the company’s goals. We see clearly how automation and cloud-native network services free engineers from mundane tasks, allowing them to engage in higher-value strategic activities.
Network engineers should embrace this change proactively. Rather than fearing automation, embrace that the future belongs to those willing to adapt. NaaS creates space for engineers to innovate, learn, and help their organizations achieve strategic objectives. As one of my former colleagues put it eloquently, "NaaS reduces tasks that engineers never list on LinkedIn, freeing them to focus on resume-building accomplishments they can proudly highlight."
For engineers and management alike, a practical first step is to have open conversations about future directions. Understand your organization's strategic vision and how you (whatever your current role) can support it. Prepare yourself by developing skills in cloud technologies, AI, and network security. Cairo Networks is here precisely to guide companies and employees through this evolution: reaching your personal and business goals, providing insights and best practice network design recommendations for this new way of networking, a dramatically simplified and faster implementation, and project management overview to ensure successful outcomes.
In short, the arrival of Network-as-a-Service is not a threat—it's an opportunity. It's your chance as a network engineer or IT leader to step forward, learn, innovate, and demonstrate new value. At Cairo Networks, we’re excited about this future. We're here to help you navigate and thrive in this new networking paradigm.
I invite you to reach out, share your thoughts, and explore how Cairo Networks can support your journey into the future of networking.
