In today's hyperconnected world, the foundation of a strong cybersecurity strategy starts with the network itself. As businesses become more reliant on remote work, cloud applications, and edge devices, the need for seamless connectivity has never been more critical. But connectivity isn't just about speed—it plays a crucial role in fortifying your cybersecurity strategy. The network you choose directly impacts not only your operational efficiency but your ability to defend against cyber threats. From secure cloud connections to DDoS protection, the strength and resilience of your network are essential to minimizing risk.
Global cybercrime is on the rise, aided and abetted by advanced technologies such as generative AI. The average cost of a data breach has also increased, reaching $4.88 million in 2024, a 10% jump from last year.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between government and industry that aims to boost cybersecurity awareness and encourage actions that reduce risk among individuals and businesses. As cyberattacks continue to evolve, this awareness is more important than ever.
We’re increasingly connected to our work, whether in the office, at home or on the road. We’re also using more cloud applications and edge devices to facilitate communications and collaboration from anywhere. That’s why, in today’s digital-first world, the relationship between a company’s network connectivity and its cybersecurity performance is more crucial than ever.
A strong network connectivity provider can improve cybersecurity performance
Reliable connectivity is a key aspect of network design. And while it’s essential for performance, there’s also evidence it boosts cybersecurity, too. However, not all network providers offer the same level of security and infrastructure protection - choosing the right partner can make all of the difference.
Recent research involving 500 enterprise leaders revealed a strong correlation between connectivity and cybersecurity. The findings? Thirty-eight percent of organizations with “excellent connectivity” ranked as industry leaders in cybersecurity performance, significantly improving their ability to defend against attacks.
Choosing the right network provider means choosing one with a highly resilient, secure infrastructure. A robust fiber network, equipped with diverse and redundant routes, encryption, and real-time monitoring, can minimize vulnerabilities and fortify your defense against attacks that could otherwise cripple your business.
At Consolidated Communications, we go beyond delivering fast, reliable, internet. Our 60,000+ mile fiber network is engineered with security in mind- from redundant routes to protection against outages, to and available encrypted connections that secure your data across the entire network. And it doesn't stop there. We have invested over $1 billion in continually upgrading our network infrastructure to ensure it says ahead of evolving threats and demands.
Advanced network solutions
Our advanced network solutions can help to bolster your cybersecurity, improve response times to incidents, and ensure consistent data protection, all while supporting seamless business operations.
While Consolidated Communications offers a variety of network connectivity options such as Dedicated Internet and MPLS, we can also layer on next-gen security and DDoS attack protections. Managing both network connectivity and security through a single provider simplifies operations and ensures tighter security management. With every unique network design, we take the necessary steps to secure your connections and build a strong security posture.
For businesses with branch offices, our SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) allows for simplified branch implementations while delivering optimized access to cloud services, private data centers and enterprise applications simultaneously over both ordinary broadband Internet and private MPLS circuits. This provides robust, unified secure communications no matter what the underlying transport may be steered across.
For cloud connections, our Cloud Peer Connect provides a dedicated, highly secure connection to cloud providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle. By bypassing the public Internet, businesses benefit from lower latency and reduced security risks with direct connections to cloud resources.
And for securing mobile devices, our Cloud WiFi is a comprehensive cloud-based managed wireless LAN solution that provides employee or guest devices secure mobile access to the network. Our secure PCI- and HIPAA-compliant architecture has a fault-tolerant design and is field-proven in high security and mission-critical networks.
Partnering with a single provider for both network access and security streamlines security management. Issue triage and repair often happen faster when both access and security are handled by the same provider. As a major network provider, we invest heavily in securing our own infrastructure—defending against router intrusions, DDoS attacks, and other vulnerabilities. This protection extends to our customers, ensuring their networks remain resilient.
As security threats continue to evolve, integrating network connectivity into your cybersecurity strategy is essential. Investing in a strong network isn’t just about speed—it’s a critical component of an effective cybersecurity strategy. A reliable network helps defend against threats, ensures smooth operations, and provides the backbone for long-term business success.