Colorado State Network: Core

All state traffic is routed through the CSN core. That means all computers, servers, and applications doing state business use the CSN Core to transport traffic to and from their destinations. OIT manages traffic and maintains security in the CSN Core to protect the state and our customers.

The Colorado State Network (CSN) Core serves as the state’s “Information Highway,” providing a secure, reliable backbone that unifies the state's digital infrastructure. While the CSN Network Circuits Service (3101) functions as the local "on/off ramps" for nearly 100 public-sector entities across 64 counties, the CSN Core functions as the central transport system. It aggregates these distributed connections and channels data, voice, and video traffic directly into centralized hubs, including OIT-managed Data Centers and Cloud environments.

OIT Network Services provides end-to-end architecture, design, engineering, and operational support for this critical core infrastructure. This service enables Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity into the Core and Data Center Networks, ensuring that the Capitol Complex LAN (CCLAN) and the 17 executive branch agencies maintain seamless, mission-critical access to centralized applications and cloud resources.

The current service includes the following:

Support and Response 

• 24x7x365 Service Desk: Around-the-clock technical support for managed systems.

• Incident Management: Major incident response and dispatch services to resolve issues promptly.

• Technical Support: Ongoing technical support for all managed systems and hardware.

Connectivity and Architecture 

• Architecture and Design: Complete network engineering, architecture, and design support for the CCLAN, and Core networking between multiple ISP's.

• Data Transport: Reliable transport of data, voice, and video traffic across the state network using multiple networking technologies.

• Enterprise Wireless Support: Full-service support for wireless networks within customer LANs, including design, implementation, and maintenance of wireless infrastructure.

• Capacity Planning: Expert assistance with capacity planning and engineering to accommodate future growth and throughput requirements for all agencies' core network circuits.

Security and Protection 

• Managed Network Firewalls: Management of network firewalls to protect the core infrastructure from unauthorized access and cyber threats, ensuring the safety of state data and applications. Implementation of firewall service requests for existing services or enhancements. Ensure segregation between critical systems, the internet, and the agencies.

• SASE over Secure SD-WAN: Deployment of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions to unify SD-WAN connectivity with cloud-native security, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and threat protection for all branch locations and remote users.

• Disaster Recovery: Robust disaster recovery solutions to ensure business continuity and protect critical services during core network outages.

Operations and Maintenance 

• Hardware Lifecycle Management: Management of the firewall asset lifecycle, including the process to acquire, replace, and maintain state-of-the-art technology.

• Installation: Installation and configuration of all required network equipment inside the core and datacenter networks.

• Enterprise Monitoring and Tuning: Proactive systems and performance monitoring, inventory management tools, and performance tuning to ensure optimal network health.

1. Priority 1 High and/or Service Outage: Goal is to resolve within four hours

2. Priority 2 Medium: Goal is to resolve within 24 hours, but no more than three business days

3. Priority 3 Low: Goal is to resolve within five business days, but no more than 10 business days