Cato Networks has recently released the results of its 2023 SASE Adoption Survey, which surveyed 1,694 IT leaders worldwide. The findings of the survey indicate that there is an increasing expectation for networking and security teams to work closely together, if not merge completely. Additionally, the survey shed light on other factors such as SASE adoption, the distribution of applications in the cloud and on-premises, the persistence of hybrid work, and the evolving nature of IT in addressing modern infrastructure challenges.
According to Eyal Webber-Zvik, Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategic Alliances at Cato Networks, the convergence of networking and security teams within organizations is no longer an afterthought. Instead, it is seen as an action that IT leaders are embracing and adopting. This is because, in today’s cyber threat landscape, combining security operations with network visibility and intelligence is essential. The survey results confirmed this sentiment and more.
One of the key findings of the survey is that a majority of respondents (82%) indicated that their organizations are consolidating security and networking teams or have a management directive to improve collaboration between them. Furthermore, almost 24% of respondents stated that both security and networking responsibilities were handled by a single team. For example, Carlsberg, the renowned brewer, has consolidated network operations and security under the responsibility of Tal Arad, the CISO and Head of Technology. Arad believes that blending the lines between networking and security personnel is the right approach to ensure smooth operations, stating, “For Carlsberg, networking and security operations are ultimately about the same thing: ensuring the beer keeps flowing.” He also mentioned that converging the teams help eliminate turf wars and allows for faster identification and resolution of potential issues.
The survey also highlighted the difficulties in collaboration between networking and security teams, which has been an ongoing challenge. Approximately 48% of respondents reported occasional problems or outright turf wars between the two teams. This further highlights the need for management to drive alignment and collaboration among these teams.
Interestingly, the survey found that the preference among respondents is to use a single, unified platform for both security and networking roles. Currently, only 68% of organizations use different platforms for security and networking management and operations. However, 76% of respondents believe that using a single platform for both purposes would greatly enhance collaboration between security and networking teams. This unified approach provides advantages, such as the ability to manage everything from a single console and facilitate faster troubleshooting.
In terms of SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) acquisition teams, the survey revealed that 47% of respondents considered it to be a project led by the security team with involvement from the networking team as needed. On the other hand, 39% of respondents indicated that the networking team would take the lead in the project, with the security team being involved to vet the vendors.
The findings of the survey highlight the growing trend of networking and security teams converging within organizations. This convergence is driven by the need for improved collaboration and streamlined operations. Furthermore, the preference for a unified platform to manage both networking and security functions indicates the desire for simplicity and efficiency. As organizations continue to adopt SASE and address modern infrastructure challenges, it is clear that networking and security teams will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security and seamless operation of critical systems.