Enterprises are revamping their on-premises networks to accommodate hybrid work by increasing bandwidth, upgrading Wi-Fi connectivity, and unifying network access controls. Nearly 80% of IT professionals reported that hybrid workers have increased overall bandwidth demand, necessitating upgrades to both LAN infrastructure and WAN links.

The shift to hybrid work has significantly increased reliance on real-time communication applications, such as voice and video tools. Nearly 90% of IT professionals observed a rise in the consumption of these applications since the COVID-19 pandemic, with usage of platforms like Microsoft Teams increasing from 50% to 100%.

Hybrid work has created complexities in network access controls, as many organizations now manage separate access policies for on-premises and remote work. About 76% of IT professionals indicated a need to unify these policies, but only 27% are satisfied with the progress. This unification is essential for reducing friction for end users and enhancing overall network security.