ONUG Fall 2023, hosted by GSK in the vibrant heart of New York City on October 24th and 25th, concluded with unprecedented success, etching a new milestone in the Conference’s esteemed legacy. The event achieved the largest attendance in ONUG’s history. With attendee registration reaching nearly 1,400, ONUG Fall marked a significant 35% growth from the previous year. This was the 24th iteration of the ONUG Conference, which has now become an essential congregation for networking, security and cloud professionals, thought leaders and innovators across the globe.

With 38 sponsors and 85 speakers, ONUG Fall 2023 provided an unmatched platform for intellectual exchange and practical demonstrations, featuring 35 Tools & Technology PoCs. These demos were crucial in empowering network engineers as they continue to integrate cloud infrastructure with their on-premises systems—a challenge that is ever-evolving and demands constant innovation.

The heartbeat of the conference was the converging of network and security technology and markets. This convergence is not merely a trend; it is a revolution in the industry, creating massive new transformation projects. It is reshaping IT organizational designs and the very fabric of infrastructure operations within the large enterprise market.

One of the most electrifying presentations was GSK’s approach to “dynamic edge segmentation” in the OT and IT integration space. This concept is at the forefront of today’s enterprise transformation areas, demonstrating how the integration of operational technology (OT) with information technology (IT) can be dynamically managed to enhance security and efficiency.  In essence, GSK has found a way in its smart manufacturing to de-risk the infrastructure as it includes OT devices, resulting in massive savings and better management.

Moreover, the event delved into the transformative process of Network Operations Centers (NOCs) and Security Operations Centers (SOCs). These typically siloed operational units are now merging into unified incident response centers, facilitated by the strategic application of AI. This integration signals a tectonic shift in how enterprises approach “lights out” operations, with AI paving the way for more streamlined and effective operations.

The discussions weren’t confined to the theoretical. Emerging technologies such as Network as a Service (NaaS), private 5G, automation, Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), and AI drew large, engaged crowds eager to understand how these innovations can be implemented within their organizations. These technologies are on the cusp of redefining what is possible in modern infrastructure that integrates networking, cloud and security, offering unprecedented agility and control.

Highlighting the interactive and competitive spirit of ONUG Fall 2023, the CSNF group orchestrated a “Multicloud Cybersecurity Space Jam.” This “capture-the-flag” event provided both a fun and insightful experience, allowing participants to test their skills in a simulated cybersecurity battleground. The event was not only highly attended but also accentuated the collaborative essence of the ONUG Community. Many thanks to World Wide Technology and Splunk for their support of Space Jam.

The overwhelming success of ONUG Fall 2023 is a testament to the community’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and its commitment to leading the charge in transforming enterprise infrastructure and its operations. The conference’s robust growth and the dynamism of its sessions and workshops reinforce the ONUG platform’s pivotal role in this ever-evolving industry.

As we reflect on the remarkable achievements and the collaborative spirit that defined the ONUG Fall 2023, anticipation builds for the next gathering. ONUG 2024 is set to broaden its horizons even further, with two locations on the docket: Dallas–May 15 and 16, and New York City–October 23 and 24, hosted by Citi. These upcoming conferences promise to build on the successes of this year’s event, delivering an even more enriching and expansive experience for all attendees.

ONUG Fall 2023 was more than just a conference; it was a clear indicator of the future–a future where technology not only connects us but also secures and propels us forward. As we move towards ONUG 2024, the excitement is palpable, and the promise of innovation continues to drive the community towards new frontiers in network, cloud and security technology. See ya in Dallas!