1
EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY
School of Computing
MSc in Computer Network Administration and Management
Challenges in Managing a Hybrid Work Environment Network Infrastructure
MSc Dissertation — Chapters 1, 2 & 3
Student: Sadaqat Hussain
Supervisor: Peter Bedar
Programme: MSc Computer Network Administration and Management
Academic Year: 2025/2026
, 2
Abstract
This dissertation explores the issues of managing network infrastructure in hybrid workplaces,
where workers divide their working time between the office and the home. Hybrid work has
become the norm in most organisations since 2020. This change has posed severe issues to IT
and network departments - particularly concerning security, monitoring, and access control -
since old network designs were created to suit offices where all its users work in a single
location. The paper will analyze recent scholarly and commercial literature, and it will also
prepare a hybrid network model with the help of Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3 to determine the
effectiveness of various security strategies. The frameworks that were analyzed are Zero Trust
Architecture (ZTA), NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), and ISO/IEC 27001. The most
important point is that there is no single tool that solves all problems. The hybrid networks
require organisations to adopt a mix of solutions, such as Multi-factor authentication, zero-trust
network access, SD-WAN, and centralised security monitoring, to effectively handle the hybrid
networks.
The keywords used are Hybrid Work, Network Infrastructure, Zero Trust, VPN, Cybersecurity,
SD-WAN, SIEM, and Endpoint Security.
Table of Contents
, 3
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 1: Introduction...............................................................................................................................3
1.1 Background........................................................................................................................................3
1.2 The Problem......................................................................................................................................5
1.3 Research Aim and Objectives.............................................................................................................6
1.4 Research Questions...........................................................................................................................6
1.5 Scope and Limitations........................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Literature Review.......................................................................................................................8
2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................8
2.2 The End of the Traditional Perimeter.................................................................................................8
2.3 Security Challenges............................................................................................................................9
2.3.1 Theft and Phishing of Credentials...............................................................................................9
2.3.2 Endpoint Security......................................................................................................................10
2.4 Network Visibility and Monitoring...................................................................................................11
2.5 Access Control and Zero Trust.........................................................................................................11
2.6 VPN Limitations and SD-WAN..........................................................................................................13
2.7 Compliance Frameworks..................................................................................................................14
2.8 Gaps in the Literature......................................................................................................................15
Chapter 3: Methodology............................................................................................................................16
3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................16
3.3 Literature Review Strategy...............................................................................................................17
3.3.1 Databases and Sources.............................................................................................................18
3.3.2 Search Terms and Criteria.........................................................................................................18
3.4 Network Simulation Design..............................................................................................................18
3.4.1 Tools.........................................................................................................................................18
3.4.2 What Was Modelled.................................................................................................................19
3.4.3 Test Scenarios...........................................................................................................................19
3.5 Data Collection and Analysis............................................................................................................19
3.6 Ethical Considerations......................................................................................................................20
3.7 Limitations.......................................................................................................................................21
References.................................................................................................................................................22
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background
EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY
School of Computing
MSc in Computer Network Administration and Management
Challenges in Managing a Hybrid Work Environment Network Infrastructure
MSc Dissertation — Chapters 1, 2 & 3
Student: Sadaqat Hussain
Supervisor: Peter Bedar
Programme: MSc Computer Network Administration and Management
Academic Year: 2025/2026
, 2
Abstract
This dissertation explores the issues of managing network infrastructure in hybrid workplaces,
where workers divide their working time between the office and the home. Hybrid work has
become the norm in most organisations since 2020. This change has posed severe issues to IT
and network departments - particularly concerning security, monitoring, and access control -
since old network designs were created to suit offices where all its users work in a single
location. The paper will analyze recent scholarly and commercial literature, and it will also
prepare a hybrid network model with the help of Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3 to determine the
effectiveness of various security strategies. The frameworks that were analyzed are Zero Trust
Architecture (ZTA), NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), and ISO/IEC 27001. The most
important point is that there is no single tool that solves all problems. The hybrid networks
require organisations to adopt a mix of solutions, such as Multi-factor authentication, zero-trust
network access, SD-WAN, and centralised security monitoring, to effectively handle the hybrid
networks.
The keywords used are Hybrid Work, Network Infrastructure, Zero Trust, VPN, Cybersecurity,
SD-WAN, SIEM, and Endpoint Security.
Table of Contents
, 3
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 1: Introduction...............................................................................................................................3
1.1 Background........................................................................................................................................3
1.2 The Problem......................................................................................................................................5
1.3 Research Aim and Objectives.............................................................................................................6
1.4 Research Questions...........................................................................................................................6
1.5 Scope and Limitations........................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Literature Review.......................................................................................................................8
2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................8
2.2 The End of the Traditional Perimeter.................................................................................................8
2.3 Security Challenges............................................................................................................................9
2.3.1 Theft and Phishing of Credentials...............................................................................................9
2.3.2 Endpoint Security......................................................................................................................10
2.4 Network Visibility and Monitoring...................................................................................................11
2.5 Access Control and Zero Trust.........................................................................................................11
2.6 VPN Limitations and SD-WAN..........................................................................................................13
2.7 Compliance Frameworks..................................................................................................................14
2.8 Gaps in the Literature......................................................................................................................15
Chapter 3: Methodology............................................................................................................................16
3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................16
3.3 Literature Review Strategy...............................................................................................................17
3.3.1 Databases and Sources.............................................................................................................18
3.3.2 Search Terms and Criteria.........................................................................................................18
3.4 Network Simulation Design..............................................................................................................18
3.4.1 Tools.........................................................................................................................................18
3.4.2 What Was Modelled.................................................................................................................19
3.4.3 Test Scenarios...........................................................................................................................19
3.5 Data Collection and Analysis............................................................................................................19
3.6 Ethical Considerations......................................................................................................................20
3.7 Limitations.......................................................................................................................................21
References.................................................................................................................................................22
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background
