The addition of new technologies means IT becomes increasingly siloed

Wide Area Networking This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing Webinar: Securing up network access Learn how token-based, one-time password authentication systems can help enterprises reduce business risk, better comply with regulations, are easy to manage and most importantly keep networks secure. Tune in to this webinar. Network World's Wide Area Networking Newsletter, 09/11/07 The addition of new technologies means IT becomes increasingly siloed By Steve Taylor and Jim Metzler In recent newsletters (see the links below) we discussed some of the organizational issues that limit the success of the overall IT function and place a lot of stress on the network organization. In particular, we discussed how many IT organizations still continue to approach troubleshooting from a defensive perspective. A prime example is that in many IT organizations when an application is degrading it is still common to assume that the network is at fault. As such, valuable time is lost as the network group strives to prove that the cause of the degradation is not the network. We are concerned that the ongoing stratification of the IT function will continue to make effective IT operations more difficult. Our concern stems in part from the fact that a lot of enhanced capabilities have been added to the IT function in general, and to the network in particular over the last few years. Within the network this includes security functionality such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, identity management and network access control. It also includes quality of service, storage-area networks, virtualization as well as optimization techniques such as compression, caching, differencing and protocol acceleration. Each new component of functionality brings along a set of unique technologies and processes. As a result, the IT organization is becoming increasingly comprised of silos. By the term silos, we mean groups of people who do not share tools, processes and goals. In many cases, there is also no common language across the silos. For example, inside the typical IT organization the term service is used in myriad ways. In previous newsletters we stated out belief that senior IT management needs to implement the kind of organization and process changes that will minimize the impact of silos. However, to date we have not seen that happening. For example, in a recent survey we asked 253 IT professionals if their company had done a good job of aligning its IT infrastructure organization (networks, servers, security) with the application development organization. Only 14% said yes. We also asked if their company planned and funded IT initiatives holistically across all of IT. Only 8% said yes to that question. Network World Buyer's Guides Find the right products for your enterprise - fast. With seven categories - security, storage, convergence and VoIP, network infrastructure, network applications, wireless and LAN/WAN management - you can quickly pinpoint the hardware or software you need. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features and make the best purchase decisions for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Buyer's Guides now. In the next newsletter we will look at the specific topic of combining security and network operations. In the mean time, we would appreciate your input. Has your organization made any attempt to combine network and security operations into one group? If so, has it been successful? If you have not combined these functions, why not? Further reading: When apps are slow, net managers are wrong until proven right; How to fix application performance issues: Organize an IT pow-wow   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter, connect to Webtorials, the premier site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and market research. Taylor can be reached at taylor@webtorials.com Jim Metzler is the Vice President of Ashton, Metzler & Associates, a consulting organization that focuses on leveraging technology for business success. Jim assists vendors to refine product strategies, service providers to deploy technologies and services, and enterprises evolve their network infrastructure. He can be reached via e-mail. This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing Webinar: Securing up network access Learn how token-based, one-time password authentication systems can help enterprises reduce business risk, better comply with regulations, are easy to manage and most importantly keep networks secure. Tune in to this webinar. ARCHIVE Archive of the Wide Area Networking Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007