CIOs, CISOs and IT leaders are drowning in complexity as they manage hybrid workforces, cloud adoption and the ever-evolving threat landscape.
A report from Aryaka® reveals that Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) are rapidly becoming essential tools for navigating this complex environment.
The Secure Network Transformation Report 2024 surveyed 202 IT, security and network professionals, director-level and above, across North America, EMEA and Asia. The findings paint a picture of the industry’s changing landscape and highlight key emerging trends:
- Hybrid Everything Drives Demand for Flexibility: The rise of hybrid work arrangements, coupled with hybrid infrastructure and security deployments, is fueling the need for adaptable and secure network solutions. A significant 81% of respondents say hybrid work is driving demand for SASE and zero-trust networking. This highlights the critical role these technologies play in connecting a complex, hybrid world.
- SASE and SD-WAN: The Pillars of Modern Network Security: SASE and SD-WAN are no longer seen as niche solutions. The survey found that a staggering 84% of respondents believe SASE is either “mature” or “somewhat mature,” with an even higher number (91%) saying the same about SD-WAN.
This maturation positions SASE and SD-WAN as trusted, complementary tools for modern network security strategies. SASE integrates security features with SD-WAN’s network optimization capabilities, ultimately simplifying management and strengthening security. - Network and Security Convergence: A sizable majority (70%) of respondents indicated that they see value in converging SASE and SD-WAN solutions.
The primary benefits for doing so are multi-pronged. 34% want more robust network operations and security, 24% want less operational burden and 19% want vendor consolidation. - Zero-Trust Networking is a Cornerstone of Hybrid Work Security: As more organizations embrace hybrid work, securing access points becomes paramount. The survey revealed that 64% of respondents consider zero-trust security a crucial component of SASE for hybrid work deployments.
The Secure Network Transformation Report 2024 also delves deeper into other industry trends. For example, the exponential growth of cloud-based applications and services, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), is placing a notable strain on traditional network architectures. These modern applications require secure, high-performance connections that can dynamically adapt to changing traffic patterns. The report found that 67% of respondents see managed services and SASE playing a greater role in managing these complex environments.
Additionally, the report explores the shift in enterprises moving away from expensive legacy Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) services, with 76% planning to eliminate MPLS, either in the immediate future or in the next 2-3 years. Moreover, 10% of respondents have already eliminated MPLS completely.
“Our report shows that the IT and network security landscape is undergoing a major transformation driven by the rise of hybrid work models and the ever-increasing adoption of AI and cloud-based applications and services,” said Pete Harteveld, Chief Revenue Officer at Aryaka.