Learn Finnish: Diplomaattinen verkosto toimii netin kautta. - The diplomatic network operates via the internet.

It is governed by the postposition kautta, which means "via", "through", or "by means of". In Finnish, most postpositions require the noun that precedes them to be in the genitive case. Here, it expresses an abstract medium: operating "by means of" the internet.

Why does the sentence use verkosto for "network" instead of the more common word verkko?

While verkko means a physical net (like a fishing net) or a direct data network (like the Web itself), verkosto is a derivative used for abstract, complex systems of interconnected people, organizations, or nodes. A "diplomatic network" involves organizational ties, making verkosto the natural choice.

Could I use työskentelee instead of toimii to say the network "works"?

No, because työskennellä strictly refers to a person doing labor or a job. When talking about machines, systems, organizations, or networks functioning, operating, or "working", you must use the verb toimia.

Is netti considered slang, or is it okay to use in professional contexts like this one?

Netti started as a colloquial shortening of internet, but it has become completely standard in everyday Finnish. While a highly formal government report might use internetin kautta or tietoverkon kautta, netin kautta is perfectly natural and widely accepted in general communication.