In the ever-evolving landscape of digital infrastructure, the maturity of a network plays a crucial role in determining its ability to meet organizational goals, adapt to technological changes, and ensure robust security. A Network Maturity Assessment Model (NMAM) serves as a comprehensive framework for evaluating the current state of a network, identifying areas of strength, and highlighting opportunities for improvement.

The NMAM provides a systematic approach to assess various aspects of a network, including its architecture, performance, security, scalability, and management practices. By using a structured set of criteria and metrics, organizations can benchmark their network’s capabilities against industry standards and best practices. This model not only helps in understanding the current maturity level but also guides strategic planning and investment decisions to enhance network performance and resilience.

The key objectives of the Network Maturity Assessment Model include:

• Performance Optimization: Ensuring the network operates efficiently and can handle current and future workloads.
• Security Enhancement: Identifying vulnerabilities and implementing measures to protect against cyber threats.
• Scalability Planning: Preparing the network to scale seamlessly as the organization grows and technological demands increase.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlining network management processes to reduce complexity and improve reliability.
• Strategic Alignment: Aligning network capabilities with business objectives to support organizational success.

By adopting the Network Maturity Assessment Model, organizations can gain valuable insights into their network infrastructure, enabling them to make informed decisions that drive continuous improvement and long-term success in a digital-first world.

What is considered here as Network?

Network is an infrastructure that connects a set of endpoints, enabling communication of data between the digital entities reachable through them (ISO/IEC 20924:2024)

Essentially, Network is an open communications medium including typical channels such as enterprise internal networks, wireless networks, and the Internet as well as other potential channels such as cellular and application-level channels used to transport data and messages. (Zero Trust Model)

What Network Maturity Model?

• In the current times where-in normal human life is dependent on Internet and effective running of the networks
• The Network Maturity Assessment Model (NAMM) addresses the need for a process-based approach to ensuring network quality.
• Application of the model to enterprise networks will provide gains in terms of over all quality, process reliability and positive impacts on customers.

What will NMAM consist of?

• NMAM will be a process for defining and implementing business decisions about
• allocating development resources for network,
• engineering decisions about network layout and performance,
• management decisions about network operations
• Including sound business and engineering practices from the disciplines of systems engineering and project and quality management to the design and operation of complex networks

Elements of NMAM

• Network Segmentation
• Network Traffic Management
• Traffic Encryption
• Network resilience
• Network Visibility
• Network Automation
• Network Security
• Governance.

Proposed Scope

• The scope of the proposed standard is a comprehensive framework for Network maturity assessment covering:
• processes to understand Enterprise network goals, relevant network elements and needs
• Network Elements maturity assessment process
• establishment of opportunities for improvement