Modernising Network Architecture: The Evolution Beyond Physical Firewalls

In the days when staff, servers and data were onsite, appliance-based firewalls protected everything within that perimeter. They acted as a gateway between the corporate network and the internet.

But technology has moved on and so has the world. Workforces are now hybrid, with employees accessing SaaS systems (such as Microsoft Office 365, Bloomberg Anywhere and Salesforce) from multiple locations and via various devices.

For hedge funds, operations are increasingly globalised. Data is held in clouds, crossing platforms and international jurisdictions at a frequency never seen before.

So, with your people and data no longer sitting comfortably behind one firewall, how confident are you that your fund is still protected?

A solution for mobile, global teams

A1 is supporting forward-thinking hedge fund clients to leave behind fixed perimeter firewalls in favour of modernised network architecture that facilitates and safeguards mobile, global working.

Network architecture transcends physical infrastructure. It is the virtual framework that dictates how your fund secures data, connects staff, offices and investors, and scales operations across jurisdictions.

Modernising your network architecture means exchanging hardware-centred protection for cloud-delivered security systems tailored to your business needs.

These can include software-defined networking and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) technology, which scale with your growth and travel with your teams. In our experience, the most successful hedge funds are now embracing this modernisation process, bringing benefits that include:  

* Enhanced cyber-resilience  

Rather than relying on traffic routing back to a central piece of hardware, your security policies will follow users, devices and applications wherever they are.We help you deploy market-leading tools such as Zscaler Internet Access or Cisco Secure Web Gateway as part of a resilient framework that protects network resources and data.

Think of this as security without borders, yet with tighter guardrails that include zero trust. Every access request, whether from a trader’s laptop in London or an analyst’s tablet in New York, is continuously verified, reducing the risk of unauthorised entry.

* Consistent regulatory compliance – and boosted investor confidence

SEC, FCA and other authorities now expect not a static defence but layered, proactive security. This is exactly what we build for you, informed by the unique pressures of your business.

By updating your security systems for globalised, mobile working, you also signal to investors that your strategies, and their capital, are safe.

* Agility, scalability and efficiency

We build network architecture that adapts to your needs, ensuring consistent performance and minimal downtime even when onboarding new staff or strategies or opening new offices. By aligning how devices interact across your network, we minimise bottlenecks and cut your firm’s reliance on costly, rigid hardware.

Next steps

It's time to build a roadmap to modernised network architecture that protects investor trust, strengthens compliance, and ensures your fund remains agile and secure.

A1 combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of hedge fund operations: talk to us about modernised network architecture as part of your digital transformation today.