As automation and digitalization continue to transform industries in New Zealand and worldwide, network engineering jobs are undergoing significant changes. The traditional roles of network engineers have, in many cases, morphed or merged with other IT positions, while new types of network engineering jobs have emerged. In this blog post, we will cover some of the likely trends and developments shaping the future of network engineering jobs in New Zealand. Increased Demands for Network Security Professionals: As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, network security will continue to be a top priority for businesses and organizations in New Zealand. Network security professionals will be needed to protect proprietary data, secure network connections, and implement protocols that prevent cyberattacks. Similarly, network engineers who have skills and experience in cybersecurity may be more in demand than those who do not. In particular, network engineers can expect to see increasing demand in the following areas over the next few years: ● Developing and implementing network security architecture. ● Configuring firewalls and various security policies. ● Conducting routine network security maintenance and managing security incidents. ● Managing the security of cloud networks and software-defined networks. ● Mastering security standards frameworks such as ISO 27001 and NIST. A Shift Towards Hybrid Networking: Traditionally, most network systems used were purely hardware-based. However, the introduction of cloud computing, IoT devices, and open-source software has enabled network engineers to use hybrid networking systems, which leverages both the hardware and software components of the network. This shift towards hybrid networking systems in New Zealand is predicted to continue, which means network engineers will be expected to have experience and proven capabilities in this area. Some of the new hybrid networking technologies that network engineers will need to master in the coming years include: ● Cloud computing and cloud networks: Migration of networks to virtual private cloud (VPC) or hybrid cloud environments. ● Microservice architecture and container orchestration. ● Software-defined networking (SDN) infrastructure and controllers. ● Network Virtualization and Overlays. Continued Growth of Network Automation: While the primary skills for network engineers have been configuration, installation, and maintenance of networks, the future of networking work will significantly involve automating network tasks using AI and machine learning. Automation will allow network engineers to spend more time focusing on the strategic design and maintenance of the network, without necessarily having to worry about frequent manual tasks. Network automation will continue to mature, and network engineers will be expected to master the following to enhance their employability: ● Automation tools and technologies including Git, Ansible, Puppet, Chef. ● Infrastructure as Code (IaC) concepts. ● Network automation frameworks such as Netmiko, Nornir, and Napalm. ● Go and Python scripting languages. Increased Demand for Network Engineers with Cloud Expertise The adoption of cloud computing is gathering pace in New Zealand as more companies move their businesses to cloud infrastructures. Network engineering experts with expertise in the cloud offerings of leading vendors such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud will be needed to help organizations integrate their systems with well-architected cloud environments. As a result, the following skills will be in high demand in the coming years: ● A rigorous understanding of cloud technologies and architectures (e.g., IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS). ● Cloud networking technologies such as Virtual Private Clouds and Cloud NAT. ● Cloud security, identity and access management, and governance best practices. ● Integration of cloud networks with on-premises infrastructure. ● Relevant cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect -Associate and Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. To sum up, the future of network engineering jobs in New Zealand looks bright. However, network engineers must keep up to date with current market trends and acquire the necessary skills and expertise to stay relevant in the industry. The key technical areas mentioned above will continue to shape the future of network engineering work around the world. So, it is worth considering these trends while building your expertise as a network engineer to succeed in the years ahead.