When Kris Manning took the role of Global Head of IT Networks at Syngenta, he saw the company’s network as the core system for driving innovation. He accepted the challenge of transforming this system from a background utility into a strategic asset guided by "stability, security, performance and enablement." This is the story of his success, where a pivotal partnership with SecureOps was essential in turning a network crisis into a new foundation for the company's future.
A key part of this transformation involved using artificial intelligence to solve ongoing operational problems. Instead of just adopting trends, Syngenta approached AI with a clear purpose. For Manning, AI's most significant benefit is its ability to act as an intelligent assistant that can process vast amounts of information. "One of the biggest opportunities I see for AI in this field is its ability to handle tasks on our behalf," he explains. "It can analyze vast amounts of data... processing millions more metrics than any human could manage alone."
This strategic implementation produced clear results in 2022. An AI-powered management tool dramatically reduced the noise that buried engineers in notifications. "It promised to do all of the correlation and the deduplication of alerts and we turned it on and our alerts went to almost zero," Manning recalls. The company saw a "90% and 95% reduction of tickets based on the AI that was built into the tool," allowing the team to concentrate only on the issues that required direct action.
While AI improved daily operations, the network’s core foundation needed attention. When Manning started at Syngenta, he faced a significant network crisis. "The network was not reliable... there was an overall lack of stability and predictability," Manning states. To resolve this critical situation, Syngenta turned to its partnership with SecureOps, responsible for managing its global backbone.
For Manning, the true measure of a partner is tested under pressure. "It really is about who they are and how they respond when the chips are down," he says. SecureOps delivered on that promise, providing the stability and high-level expertise Syngenta needed. He explained, "They've got an excellent team that includes high-level senior network engineers and architects who gave us a level of expertise that we just didn't have at the time."
This partnership did not end once the crisis was over. It has evolved into an ongoing strategic collaboration. SecureOps remains a key player in Syngenta's network development, including the new SD-WAN rollout. Manning values their consultative style, noting that they question ideas and make recommendations to "ensure the best for Syngenta," rather than just passively following orders. This proactive approach is vital for continuously improving cybersecurity and governance across the global network.
Syngenta is also adopting a "wireless first" mindset, delivering more than a basic connection. As Kris Manning explains, simple connectivity is now a basic expectation, or "'table stakes”. This new approach means cutting back on traditional cables and switches, which are "often the most expensive part of an IT deployment." Using wireless improves employee mobility and makes office layouts much simpler.
But for Manning, the real excitement comes from using the information that wireless systems generate. He sees an opportunity in "leveraging the data generated by existing wireless infrastructure" to manage company facilities more intelligently and even improve health and safety. The goal is to "extract business intelligence from wireless infrastructure... delivering actionable insights that drive operational efficiency and reduce costs." This shows how a wireless network can evolve from a simple utility into a strategic asset.
The shift to a modern workplace also required Syngenta to rethink its approach to security. Traditional security built a "perimeter" with firewalls to protect a central data center. This model worked when most people worked on-site. Today, the IT landscape is completely different, with users working from many locations and applications running in the cloud. This change can create serious weaknesses in older security models.
To solve this, Manning’s team is embracing what he calls "'internet cafe-style connectivity.'" The goal is for users to connect to the internet and get everything they need from anywhere, all with strong security. This approach, which uses ideas like Zero Trust and content filtering, simplifies management while keeping data safe. For Manning, one of the greatest benefits is the combination of "security, ease of doing business and reduced network complexity."
However, he remains cautious about becoming too dependent on a single security provider. He worries about the risk of major outages if all services are bundled together. "'Do I want all my eggs in one basket when these things happen, as inevitably they will?'" he asks. This thoughtful approach shows that while Syngenta is adopting new security models, it is doing so with a clear-eyed view of the risks. As Manning notes, "'Whether we would completely give ourselves over to SSE, it's something we talk about a lot.'"
With a stable foundation, Manning's strategy now focuses on future growth, driven by "aggressive automation." The objective is to "automate repeatable tasks wherever possible." However, his goal extends beyond simple efficiency. He wants to improve the digital experience for all users. "Whether that's an extra click or a clunky process, these are bumps in the road that we want to remove," he says. He consistently pushes his team to ask, "What can we automate?"
This forward-thinking approach, which includes a "wireless-first" mindset and expanded cloud adoption, demonstrates a major shift in philosophy. By carefully balancing advanced technology with the proven stability of strong partnerships like the one with SecureOps, Syngenta has successfully transformed its IT infrastructure. It is no longer just a support system but has become a true force for innovation.
This blog summarizes a recent feature story in AI Magazine. Read the original piece here.