Secure, Resilient Hybrid Networking for a Global Media Organization

Problem Statement/ Definition

The client operated legacy on-premises infrastructure that could not reliably support globally distributed journalists, remote production workflows, and peak news traffic. Connectivity was constrained by limited resiliency, inconsistent performance, and insufficient security controls, creating risks of downtime, data exposure, and operational disruption during critical news events. The organization required a modern networking foundation that ensured secure access, high availability, and predictable performance across multiple regions.

Proposed Solution & Architecture

Trustsoft designed and implemented a hybrid AWS networking architecture centered on resiliency, security, and global performance. AWS Direct Connect was deployed as the primary private connectivity path between on-premises environments and AWS, with redundant Site-to-Site VPN connections configured as encrypted failover. AWS Transit Gateway centralized routing across multiple VPCs and environments, simplifying network governance and enabling scalable expansion.

To optimize global access for journalists and external users, AWS Global Accelerator was used to route traffic over the AWS backbone, while AWS WAF protected public endpoints from malicious traffic. Workloads were deployed on Amazon EKS, with data services backed by Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon S3. Network visibility and security monitoring were implemented using Amazon CloudWatch, VPC Flow Logs, AWS GuardDuty, and AWS Security Hub, providing continuous insight into traffic patterns and threats.

Outcomes of Project & Success Metrics

The solution delivered a highly resilient and secure networking foundation for the client’s cloud-based newsroom. Hybrid network availability reached 99.99%, latency for remote bureaus was significantly reduced, and failover between Direct Connect and VPN paths was automated without manual intervention. Centralized monitoring and security controls improved operational visibility and strengthened the overall security posture. The platform is live in production and supports uninterrupted global newsroom operations.

‍Describe the TCO Analysis Performed

For this client, Trustsoft performed a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis comparing the legacy on-premises infrastructure and MPLS-based connectivity with an AWS hybrid architecture using managed networking and platform services. The analysis evaluated infrastructure, connectivity, operations, and licensing costs, factoring in reduced hardware refresh cycles, lower operational overhead, and pay-as-you-go consumption. The TCO assessment demonstrated long-term cost efficiency while improving scalability, resilience, and performance.

Lessons Learned

The project highlighted the importance of designing network resiliency and security as foundational elements rather than add-ons. Combining AWS-native connectivity, centralized routing, and managed security services reduced operational complexity while improving reliability. Clear failover design, proactive monitoring, and early validation of hybrid connectivity assumptions were key to achieving a stable, production-grade solution suitable for mission-critical media workloads.

‍