"Vendors are integrating networking and security solutions into a unified architecture to simplify policy enforcement, enhance visibility, and improve IT productivity."

Figure 1. Top 6 Vendor Platforms to Watch.

cisco: Networking Cloud and Security Cloud

In mid-2023, Cisco introduced its Networking Cloud—a unified management platform designed to operate both on-premises and in the cloud. The goal is to enhance visibility and enable enterprise-wide automation across campus and branch networks, data centers, compute, IoT, SD-WAN, and beyond. Figure 1 shows Top 6 Vendor Platforms to Watch.

Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) has been gradually introducing new features, including enhanced single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, deeper integration between the Meraki dashboard and ThousandEyes network intelligence, and improved cloud management support for Catalyst switches.

Extreme: One Platform for Everything

Extreme Platform One is a comprehensive enterprise connectivity solution that unifies networking, security, and inventory management—enhanced by AI-driven features and support services. The platform delivers conversational AI experiences, interactive analytics and dashboards, and autonomous agent modes. It also includes AI-assisted workflows for tasks such as network design, configuration, troubleshooting, and migration.

Inventory management within Platform One spans the entire lifecycle—from trial and purchase to renewal and upgrade. AI-assisted workflows support asset management, subscriptions, licensing, contracting, financial reporting, and forecasting.

Most recently, Extreme Networks (Nasdaq: EXTR) introduced an AI service agent and a new dashboard designed to streamline network and security operations.

Fortinet Security Platform: Integration Built-In

The Fortinet Security Fabric is engineered for seamless integration, powered by a unified architecture that includes a single operating system (FortiOS), a consolidated agent (FortiClient), one management console (FortiManager), and a centralized data lake (FortiAnalyzer). It also features open APIs and integrates with over 500 third-party products. Notably, Fortinet develops its own custom security processing units (SPUs) to optimize performance.

Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) brings networking and security together in a single platform, enabling deep automation and real-time protection across devices, data, and applications. Its integrated approach—combining Secure Networking, Unified SASE, and AI-Driven Security Operations—delivers broad, automated, and unified cybersecurity protection.

HPE Aruba: SaaS and NaaS Options

HPE Aruba Networking Central is a cloud-scale, AI-powered network management platform offered as a service (SaaS) and also available through an HPE GreenLake for Networking Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) subscription.

Following HPE's acquisition of OpsRamp, Aruba Networking Central now includes support for monitoring third-party network devices. Recent enhancements from HPE (NYSE: HPE) include an upgraded network device configuration engine, expanded observability capabilities, and AI-driven network optimization features.

juniper: Leaning on Mist and Marvis

Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform is built around Mist AI and the Marvis virtual network assistant, delivering automated root cause identification and event correlation to help operators resolve issues faster and more efficiently.

Juniper (NYSE: JNPR) integrates networking and security capabilities into the Mist AI framework, enabling unified traffic monitoring, anomaly detection, and consistent policy enforcement across the entire infrastructure. The platform also embeds zero-trust security across all networking domains for comprehensive protection.

Palo Alto Networks: Three Separate Platforms

In early 2024, Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) announced a strategic shift toward platform unification, moving away from isolated point products to a more integrated security architecture. The company now offers three specialized platforms:

• Strata – A network security platform focused on simplifying operations, enforcing policies, and defending against advanced threats.
• Prisma Cloud – A code-to-cloud security solution that protects applications from development through deployment and runtime.
• Cortex – An AI-driven SecOps platform that accelerates threat detection, investigation, and response.

Source: NETWORK WORLD

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025), Six Must-Watch Vendor Platforms, AnaTechMaz, pp. 166