Data is moving faster and in greater volumes than ever before, and the demands on network infrastructure are at an all-time high. AI is fuelling an explosion of data, while cyber threats grow more sophisticated by the day.

 

By 2025, global data creation is expected to reach 181 zettabytes, up from just 64.2 zettabytes in 2020 (IDC). With AI-driven traffic growing at a staggering rate, AI workloads alone will account for a significant share. Meanwhile, cyber threats continue to escalate, with ransomware attacks increasing and quantum computing threats fast approaching.

 

The problem? The very encryption designed to protect this data is now slowing networks down.

 

Four Trends Reshaping Network Speed & Security

 

1. AI’s Data Surge – AI models need to process enormous datasets in real time, putting unprecedented pressure on networks, so without high-speed, high-security infrastructure, AI-driven services will struggle with delays, bottlenecks, and security vulnerabilities.
2. Rising Global Cyber Threats – Ransomware, state-sponsored attacks, and cyber espionage are more sophisticated than ever, which means stronger encryption is crucial to safeguarding sensitive data, but traditional methods can slow down network performance.
3. The Race to Quantum-Safe Security – Quantum computing will render many encryption standards obsolete, requiring new cryptographic approaches. Organizations that don’t prepare now risk being exposed to “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where encrypted data is stolen today and cracked once quantum technology matures.
4. Demand for Low-Latency Applications – Real-time financial transactions, 5G networks, and remote collaboration all require sub-millisecond latency. Legacy encryption solutions add too much processing overhead, making them unsuitable for modern low-latency use cases.

 

The Trade-Off Nobody Talks About

 

Right now, many network operators, cloud providers, and data centres are being forced to choose between encryption and speed. The more robust the encryption, the slower the network. To maintain throughput, security risks being dialled back, exposing critical data in motion to risk.

 

Key problems and solutions

1. AI-driven data growth is pushing networks to their limits.

Invest in high-performance infrastructure that can scale with AI-driven demands. Harness advanced encryption solutions designed to keep up with the demands of high-speed, high-volume data transmission.

 

2. Encryption is slowing networks down, forcing compromises on security.Stop choosing between speed and security, demand solutions that deliver both.

Plan for hardware-based encryption that secures data in motion without impacting network performance.

 

3. The post-quantum era will demand even more computing power.Start PQC migration planning now to future-proof your network. PQC-ready encryption that ensures long-term security without disrupting existing infrastructure.

 

4. Speed and security must go hand in hand, not compete.Prioritize solutions that eliminate trade-offs, rather than accepting performance losses. Engage partners with purpose-built encryption technology that accelerates security without adding latency.

 

5. Hardware-first encryption is the only way to achieve both.It’s time to move away from software-based encryption that slows data transmission down. Dedicated encryption hardware that delivers scalable, high-speed protection for evolving network demands is a must have.

 

The Future of Network Security Starts Now

The AI-driven data explosion, rising cyber risks, and PQC demands aren’t future problems, they’re here today. Don’t let security be the bottleneck that holds your business back. With the right encryption approach, you can secure your network at speed. Are you ready?

 

Sitehop. Engineered for speed. Built for the future.

Sitehop Achieves Cyber Essentials Certification

 

Sitehop is proud to announce that we are now officially Cyber Essentials Certified, a government-backed recognition that validates our commitment to protecting organisations against the most common cyber threats.

In an age where resilience and trust are non-negotiable, Cyber Essentials is more than a badge. It is a signal that Sitehop’s internal processes, systems, and products meet a robust baseline of security standards set by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This matters not only to our customers, but to every partner relying on next-generation encryption that is secure, scalable, and future-ready.

 

Why Cyber Essentials Matters

 

Cyber Essentials is critical for any business working with public sector organisations or critical national infrastructure. For Sitehop, this certification reinforces our alignment with UK government cybersecurity standards, especially as we continue to work with clients across defence, government, telecoms, and enterprise networks.

 

It also further validates the integrity of Sitehop and our SAFE Series, built to deliver ultra-secure, low-latency, crypto-agile encryption that protects data in motion, even in post-quantum environments.

 

Building Trust Across Government

 

Government agencies today require encryption that is engineered for long-term resilience, scalable deployments, and compliance with the evolving threat landscape. Whether it is national defence, public services, or cross-border communication, Sitehop’s approach has always been engineered for trust.

 

Now with Cyber Essentials certification, our capability to deliver trusted security solutions is formally recognised. Find out more about Sitehop’s approach to government and critical infrastructure here.

 

See Us at CyberUK

 

Sitehop will be exhibiting at CyberUK 2025 (Stand F13, Manchester Central, 6 to 8 May), the UK’s flagship cybersecurity event hosted by the NCSC. Join us there to see our latest SAFE Series demos and discover why Sitehop is the perfect partner for the new era of network security.

 

Future-proof your encryption, maximize performance, and stay ahead of tomorrow’s cyber threats—today. Talk to us about deploying the SAFE Series in your network.

 

Sitehop. Engineered for resilience. Built for the future.

Call us on: +44 (0)114 478 2366

Or email info@sitehop.com