In the Cyber Resilience Arena, Network Automation is a Team Sport

Originally published in SDxCentral on May 28, 2026.

Traditionally, the NetOps (Network Operations) and SecOps (Security Operations) teams have operated in isolation, focusing on their responsibilities and collaborating only to the extent necessary. The NetOps team plays a critical role in keeping the network operational and efficient. This includes a thorough understanding of network devices, continuous monitoring for performance issues, and implementing measures to ensure the network remains available to users.

On the other hand, the SecOps team is dedicated to safeguarding the organization against security threats. Their responsibilities include identifying potential vulnerabilities, implementing measures to prevent breaches, hardening devices to protect against attacks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Despite their distinct functions, both teams share a common interest in enhancing the network’s cyber resilience and work together to achieve this objective in ways that complement each other.

Unfortunately, differing goals and the established principle of separation of duties — designed to enhance security and control — have perpetuated a divide between these teams. This isolation has hindered their ability to fully understand and collaborate on their shared missions. Now is the crucial moment for change, encouraging these teams to unite their efforts to build a more robust, secure network environment.

Read the complete article to learn how teams are finding ways to collaborate. Fortunately, enterprises are making progress and using network automation to do so.

For more information about the BackBox network cyber resilience platform, visit our BackBox Platform page. Ready to get started? Request a demo to see our solution in action.