In this Digital CxO Leadership Insights interview, Amanda Razani speaks with Pascal Menezes, CTO of MEF, about the importance of Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) for digital transformation efforts, along with recent news from its GNE conference.
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In this insightful interview, Amanda Razani speaks with Pascal Menezes, CTO of MEF, about the pivotal role of Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) in the evolving landscape of digital transformation. Pascal explains that MEF, initially focused on carrier ethernet, now addresses the rising demand for cloud-centric solutions by enabling NaaS, which provides network services in an automated, cloud-like model. Through its recent conference, MEF highlighted how NaaS combines essential network components, such as SD-WAN, cybersecurity, and cloud connectivity, to offer seamless, on-demand access for global enterprises, streamlining connectivity across locations and providers.
Pascal also shares major conference announcements, including a groundbreaking cybersecurity certification for service providers, which evaluates network protection across critical functions like SD-WAN and zero-trust network access. MEF expanded its enterprise membership and launched APIs that enhance automation, enabling providers and enterprises to operate with unified standards for provisioning, maintenance, and more. By establishing these frameworks, MEF aims to create a globally connected ecosystem where enterprises and providers can interact seamlessly, providing a reliable, scalable network backbone that is essential for modern cloud-based applications and security.
Looking ahead, Pascal envisions an era where AI and NaaS converge to meet enterprise needs, particularly for low-latency applications. He discusses MEF’s efforts to support automated interactions through APIs, allowing companies to connect their services like a unified global network. For businesses, this means adaptable, on-demand connectivity with certified standards, accelerating digital transformation and delivering a consistent, reliable experience across regions.
