The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence applications is transforming enterprise networking in ways few could have predicted. A new white paper from the VeloCloud division of Broadcom, VeloRAIN: Next-Gen Security for AI-Driven Networks, examines these shifts. Organizations adopting AI applications are discovering that traditional network architectures, designed primarily for client-server web traffic, struggle to handle the unique demands of AI workloads. These challenges extend beyond just network performance issues. They represent fundamental shifts in how networks must be architected and secured.
The new networking reality of GenAI
Generative AI applications exhibit characteristics that break conventional networking assumptions. Unlike traditional web traffic, which primarily flows downstream to users, AI workloads generate symmetrical traffic patterns with comparable upload and download volumes. These applications are remarkably sensitive to latency, with even minor delays potentially disrupting distributed AI processing and leading to unreliable results. Add to this the unpredictable, bursty nature of AI traffic, and it becomes clear why organizations need to rethink their network infrastructure.
Emerging security challenges
The security implications are equally profound. As AI applications become more prevalent, they introduce new attack surfaces and vulnerabilities that traditional security measures weren't designed to address. Organizations must now contend with threats like adversarial attacks on AI models, data poisoning attempts, and the emergence of shadow AI — the unauthorized use of AI tools that could expose sensitive corporate data. Traditional threat detection methods, which rely heavily on signature-based approaches, simply cannot keep pace with these evolving challenges.
Security solutions from VeloCloud
To address these complex demands, the VeloCloud division of Broadcom has a suite of solutions anchored by the innovative VeloRAIN architecture. Short for VeloCloud Robust Artificial Intelligence Networking, VeloRAIN represents a fundamental reimagining of how enterprise networks should operate in the AI era.
At the foundation is VeloCloud SD-WAN, which provides robust security through multiple layers of protection. The solution implements strong encryption between all network components, enables sophisticated network segmentation to isolate different types of traffic, and includes advanced inspection capabilities through its Enhanced Firewall Service. These features ensure that AI workloads remain protected while maintaining the performance levels they require.
Complementing VeloCloud SD-WAN capabilities is Symantec SSE for VeloCloud, the cloud-based security service that specifically addresses the challenges of protecting distributed AI applications. Key features include:
- Machine learning-based malware detection that can identify and block emerging threats
- High-speed decryption and re-encryption of SSL/TLS traffic to uncover threats hidden in encrypted communications
- Inline cloud access security broker (CASB) capabilities to combat shadow AI risks
- Advanced data protection leveraging AI-powered data loss prevention (DLP) engines
VeloCloud SD-Access delivers path-optimized zero-trust networking specifically designed for distributed users and AI workloads. The solution provides end-to-end encryption using advanced protocols, supports encrypted peer-to-peer traffic essential for distributed AI processing, and implements granular, identity-based access controls that ensure only authorized users and devices can access sensitive resources.
Balancing security with simplified management
The business benefits of this integrated approach are substantial. Organizations gain not only enhanced security against emerging threats but also improved performance for their AI workloads through intelligent traffic management and optimization. Centralized management and visibility across security components simplifies operations, while the architecture's inherent flexibility ensures it can adapt to future changes in the threat landscape.
As AI continues to reshape the enterprise technology landscape, organizations need partners who understand both the opportunities and challenges this transformation brings. VeloCloud's comprehensive security solutions demonstrate our commitment to helping customers navigate this new reality safely and successfully. By combining advanced threat protection, intelligent network optimization, and zero-trust principles, we're enabling organizations to embrace AI innovation while maintaining the highest levels of security and performance.
To learn more about how VeloCloud solutions help secure AI-driven network infrastructure, read the full white paper.