ESG Research

Abstract:

In order to assess the network security landscape over the last 12-24 months, as well as what the priorities over the next 12-24 months are expected to be, ESG surveyed 265 IT security professionals representing enterprise-class (i.e., 1,000 employees or more) organizations in North America (United States and Canada). All respondents were personally responsible for evaluating, purchasing, and managing network security technology products and services.

Survey participants represented a wide range of industries including manufacturing, financial, healthcare, and communications and media, among others.

Abstract:

This Master Survey Results presentation focuses on the current state of network security, including current strategies and challenges, and how these are guiding the current and (expected) future usage of foundational network security technologies.

Topics covered include:

• Modern network security challenges.
• The confusion around "zero trust."
• Top considerations for SDP and microsegmentation initiatives. 
• The state of the DDoS prevention market.
• Third-party deception tool adoption drivers.

Abstract:

In order to assess technology spending priorities over the next 12-18 months, ESG recently surveyed 658 IT professionals representing midmarket (100 to 999 employees) and enterprise-class (1,000 employees or more) organizations in North America and Western Europe. All respondents were personally responsible for or familiar with their organizations’ 2019 IT spending as well as their 2020 IT budget and spending plans at either an entire organization level or at a business unit/division/branch level.

Survey participants represented a wide range of industries including manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications and media, retail, government, and business services.

Abstract:

ESG conducted a comprehensive online survey of IT professionals from private- and public-sector organizations in North America (United States and Canada) and Western Europe (UK, France, and Germany) between October 31, 2019 and November 26, 2019. To qualify for this survey, respondents were required to be senior IT professionals familiar and involved with their organization’s overall 2020 IT budget and spending plans. All respondents were provided an incentive to complete the survey in the form of cash awards and/or cash equivalents.

This Master Survey Results presentation focuses on 2020 IT budget expectations, technology initiatives and priorities, year-over-year spending change (overall and by different technologies), hiring/staffing challenges, and cloud adoption/usage trends.

Abstract:

The rapid adoption of containers to support modern application environments is having a significant impact on IT and the underlying technology. This is especially true for the network team, where container adoption is impacting existing network architectures and creating new challenges. As is the case with most transitions, there is a temptation to resist change, but as time and previous technology transformations have demonstrated, these changes must be embraced. Organizations need to ensure that the network is in a position to accelerate the adoption of new technologies.

Abstract:

Hybrid has become the de facto cloud strategy for most organizations and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. At the same time, there is a lot of discussion in the market regarding modern or cloud-native application environments as organizations look to shift from infrastructure-focused to application-centric management, but what is the reality of container environments in enterprises? ESG research confirms that not only has the adoption of containers been steady—and will continue to be—but also that this usage will play an increasing role in supporting production application environments.

Abstract:

ESG conducted a comprehensive online survey of IT professionals and software developers at private- and public-sector organizations in North America (US and Canada) between June 7, 2019 and June 17, 2019. To qualify for this survey, respondents were required to be responsible for supporting their organization’s application development environment, including their plans and strategy for containers technology. All respondents were provided an incentive to complete the survey in the form of cash awards and/or cash equivalents.

This Master Survey Results presentation focuses on the current state of application development architectures and methodologies in use in enterprise environments, specifically usage of and plans for containers technology.

Abstract:

As 2019 rolls into the history books, it is time to evaluate how networking has evolved this year and think about what organizations can expect in 2020. This year witnessed the initial deployments of 5G networks, the rollout of WiFi 6, continued mergers and acquisitions, the introduction of new chipsets that enable greater throughput (400Gbps), and greater emphasis on end-to-end networking. It also witnessed underlay and overlay integration and IBN. Additionally, network automation continued to progress, as SD-WAN deployments made more progress on their way to becoming ubiquitous.

This brief looks at the key trends and events that will shape networking technologies, suppliers, and customers in 2020.

Abstract:

Network traffic analysis (NTA) solutions have seen broad adoption across the industry as part of a holistic threat detection and response (TDR) program. There is general agreement regarding some of the core capabilities required in an NTA solution, but some disagreement around others. Analytics and threat intelligence integrations are essential components of any NTA solution. However, there is less clarity around managed services as they relate to NTA solutions.

Abstract:

Given the increasing complexity and scale of IT environments, it is becoming clear that technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will be required for operations teams to effectively and efficiently manage these environments. This is especially true for the network in highly distributed environments, since it plays an integral role in connecting data centers, clouds, and edge environments. Cisco wants to make its intent-based networking (IBN) solutions smarter, simpler, and more secure by adding AI/ML and multi-domain integration. At this year’s Cisco Live in San Diego, Cisco announced its latest innovations for IBN, AI Network Analytics, along with tight domain integration and additional AI/ML support in DevNet.