**Show Notes:** In this episode, Bryan sits down with experts Austin Hawthorne and Michael Kowal from Nile to unpack the intriguing topic of networking as a service. Dive into the discussions that span from defining the technology to its market implications and challenges. **Topics Covered:** - Introduction to Networking as a Service:   - Defined as tech always ready for business needs without complexities and costs.   - Other definitions including broadband, outsourcing IT, and managed services.    - Market Expectations:   - Influence of cloud adoption disrupting the market.   - Need for alignment of spend based on business performance.    - Challenges:   - For incumbent vendors to adjust due to tech debt, customer, and market demands.   - Complexity of delivering network as-a-service compared to other as-a-service offerings.    - Speed Benefits:   - Frequent software upgrades, faster fixes, and reduced failure radius.    - Network Deployment:   - Standardizing approaches for predictive outcomes.   - Secure networking involving zero trust and RADIUS.    - Automation & Configuration:   - Addressing underlying complexities before introducing automation.   - Reducing bugs through streamlined testing and the concept of a digital twin.    - Vendor Challenges:   - Existing codebase sizes, feature support, and delay in fixes and new features.   - Documenting profiles for new QS features and identifying bug dependencies.    - Security Aspects:   - Approaches to network edge security.   - Challenges between security and network teams.   - The trade-off between risk, complexity, and cybersecurity insurance.    - Zero-Trust Principles:   - Challenges with implementing dynamic ACLs, roles, and more.   - Importance of encryption, authorization, and enforcement.   - Limitations of traditional networking setups using VLANs.    - Firewalls:   - Machine-to-machine traffic and security benefits.   - Local switching and RADIUS and DHCP server roles.    - Network Access Control (NAC):   - Definition and implementations.   - SSO as a form of NAC and Zero Trust constructs for the network layer.    - Nile Network:   - Payment models and Proof of Value (POV) offerings.    - Network Implementation & Automation:   - Benefits of automation over manual approaches.   - Introduction of soft bots and Nile service block.    - Closing Notes:   - Visit the show's website, rate, and review the episodes, and reach out with questions, comments, or suggestions. --- **Links:** - Nile Secure - www.nilesecure.com - Join the Discord - discord.conft.show - Driven - www.driven.tech Thanks for tuning in to Conf T with your SE! If you found this episode informative and entertaining, please consider rating and reviewing our show on your favorite podcast platforms. Your support helps spread the word!