Explore Algosec's customer success stories to see how organizations worldwide improve security, compliance, and efficiency with our solutions. Discovery Streamlines Firewall Audits And Simplifies The Change Workflow Organization Discovery Industry Financial Services Headquarters Johannesberg, South Africa Download case study Share Customer
success stories "With AlgoSec we can now get, in a click of a button, what took two to three weeks per firewall to produce manually" Background Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organization that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, savings and investment products and wellness markets. Founded in 1992, Discovery was guided by a clear core purpose — to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. Underpinning this core purpose is the belief that through innovation, Discovery can be a powerful market disruptor. The company, with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, has expanded its operations globally and currently serves over 4.4 million clients across South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Singapore and Australia.Operating in the highly regulated insurance and health sectors, Discovery monitors its compliance with international privacy laws and security criteria, includingPCI-DSS globally, Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA in the US, the Data Protection Act in the UK, and South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act. Challenge During its early years, the company managed its firewalls through an internally developed, legacy system which offered very limited visibility into the change request process.“We grew faster than anyone expected,” says Marc Silver, Security Manager at Discovery. “We needed better visibility into what changes were requested to which firewall, for what business need and also to ensure proper risk analysis.”Discovery’s growth necessitated a rapid increase in the number of firewalls deployed, and the corresponding ruleset sizes. The time required to audit them grew by orders of magnitude, ultimately taking up to three weeks per firewall. The IT Security team of four engineers recognized that it needed a fresh approach to manage risk and ensure compliance. Solution Discovery chose the AlgoSec Security Management Solution to deliver automated, comprehensive firewall operations, risk analysis and change management. Silver states that compared to AlgoSec’s competitors, “AlgoSec has a more tightly integrated change control, and is easier to manage. Another big advantage is how it finds unused rules and recommends rule consolidations,” says Silver.AlgoSec’s integration with Request Tracker (RT) change management system was also important in Discovery’s selection of a security management solution. “We use RT for our internal ticketing system, and the stability of AlgoSec’s integration with RT met our requirements. AlgoSec’s visual workflow is clear, easy to understand and more mature than the others we evaluated,” adds Silver. Results Since implementing AlgoSec, Discovery has found its security audits running more effectively. Discovery relies on AlgoSec’s built-in compliance reports to address Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and other national and international regulatory requirements. “Every year internal auditors would take our entire rulesets for each firewall pair and tell us where we needed to make improvements. AlgoSec now allows us to submit an automated report to our auditing team. It tells them what our security state is, and what needs to be remediated. The total process used to take three months. Now, in a click of a button, we can get what took two to three weeks per firewall to produce manually,” says Silver.Discovery has also found an unexpected advantage: “AlgoSec tells us what rules are in use and what rules are not. For one firewall, we were able to remove 30,000 rules. A firewall with 500,000 rules isn’t going to cope as well as one with 100,000 rules. By optimizing our devices, AlgoSec saves us money in the long term by enabling us to delay upgrading to a larger firewall,” adds Silver.In conclusion, Silver states that “Now we can see what is and isn’t happening in our security system. It has made a much bigger impact than we thought it would. With AlgoSec’s policy optimization, and the time we save on compliance, AlgoSec has given us a much stronger competitive edge than we had six months ago.” Schedule time with one of our experts

The joint offering helps enterprises tighten their security posture, effectively mitigate Ransomware and other Cyberattacks and ensure long-term sustainability Deloitte and AlgoSec Partner to Establish a Joint Network Protection Transformation Solution for Enterprises The joint offering helps enterprises tighten their security posture, effectively mitigate Ransomware and other Cyberattacks and ensure long-term sustainability November 9, 2020 Speak to one of our experts RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., November 9, 2020 – The EMEA Telecom Engineering Centre of Excellence (TEE) of Deloitte (located in Portugal) and AlgoSec , the leading provider of business-driven network security management solutions, have entered into an alliance to establish a network protection transformation offer to safeguard clients against complex threats and attacks. The combined team will deliver, operate, and maintain a network protection offer with joint functions managed between Deloitte and AlgoSec. Deloitte TEE will focus on delivering business process transformation capabilities, business and technical advisory and project management to ensure reliability and sustainability on the proposed capabilities, while AlgoSec will provide technical support to customize, deploy and operate the tool to accelerate and automate the network security management, and ensure the offer is aligned with the business’ requirements. The Deloitte and AlgoSec joint offering provides a business-centric approach to network security management across the entire hybrid and multi-vendor environment. The solution offers comprehensive visibility across the network security environment and business applications, agile and secure policy change management via zero touch automation, and continuous compliance assurance. The offering also includes a Network Security Hardening Service, which begins to understand the Client’s network level of exposure, current vulnerabilities and the potential impact of network threats, before performing a transformation strategy to strengthen current capabilities and remediate network risks and vulnerabilities, followed by a Network Security Managed Service to monitor and guarantee long-term sustainability. Deloitte TEE will also become a reselling partner to support AlgoSec in the global market, using a structured offer model with advantages for the partnership and the client. Jade Kahn, AlgoSec CMO said: “Network protection should be a priority for companies to mitigate the damage caused by an increasing number of complex cyber threats. With an appropriate strategy in place, they can identify and contain threats before they are able to move freely across the network. We look forward to working alongside Deloitte and delivering value to its clients.” Pedro Tavares, Partner of Deloitte Portugal and responsible for the EMEA Telecom Engineering Centre of Excellence (TEE): “TEE focus is on delivering high value telecoms engineering consultancy services towards our customers, and under the ongoing digitalization wave and in the advent of 5G, setting up a Network Protection offer to ensure that this improvement in the connectivity, communication and user experience do not bring substantial business risks is a key stepping stone towards this strategy. We expect with this combined offer to support our clients in improving their network security, mitigating their network risks and enhancing their key Capabilities to ensure a sustainable transformation of their business”. About AlgoSec The leading provider of business-driven network security management solutions, AlgoSec helps the world’s largest organizations align security with their mission-critical business processes. With AlgoSec, users can discover, map and migrate business application connectivity, proactively analyze risk from the business perspective, tie cyber-attacks to business processes and intelligently automate network security changes with zero touch – across their cloud, SDN and on-premise networks. Over 1,800 enterprises, including 20 of the Fortune 50, have utilized AlgoSec’s solutions to make their organizations more agile, more secure and more compliant – all the time. Since 2005, AlgoSec has shown its commitment to customer satisfaction with the industry’s only money-back guarantee . All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. Media Contacts:Tsippi Dach [email protected] Craig Coward Context Public [email protected] +44 (0)1625 511 966 Olga Neves Media Relations & External CommunicationsDeloitte PortugalTlm: (+351) 918 985 [email protected] About Deloitte Deloitte, us, we and our refer to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.Deloitte is a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services. Our global network of member firms and related entities in more than 150 countries and territories (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”) serves four out of five Fortune Global 500® companies. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 330,000 people make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com . About EMEA Telecom Engineering Centre of Excellence (TEE) The EMEA Telecom Engineering Centre of Excellence (TEE) is an operational area specialized in telecom engineering services, managed by Deloitte Portugal, that offers engineering services for mobile, fixed and convergent telecom networks, service platforms and operating support systems (“OSS”) for the Europe, Middle East, Africa region (“EMEA”).

What are firewall logs and why they are important Select a size Which network Can AlgoSec be used for continuous compliance monitoring? Yes, AlgoSec supports continuous compliance monitoring. As organizations adapt their security policies to meet emerging threats and address new vulnerabilities, they must constantly verify these changes against the compliance frameworks they subscribe to. AlgoSec can generate risk assessment reports and conduct internal audits on-demand, allowing compliance officers to monitor compliance performance in real-time. Security professionals can also use AlgoSec to preview and simulate proposed changes to the organization’s security policies. This gives compliance officers a valuable degree of lead-time before planned changes impact regulatory guidelines and allows for continuous real-time monitoring. What are firewall logs and why are they important? Network setups of the past consisted solely of servers in a server closet. Today, modern IT infrastructure consists of three main components: on-premises data centers, public clouds, and their connecting infrastructure. This new reality has created complex systems with multiple challenges. Regulations have become stricter, and organizations are under pressure to detect security threats fast. When faced with an issue, network security professionals must pinpoint the root cause, and to do that, they need evidence—which means investigating firewall logs. What is a firewall log? A firewall log is a record of the network connections (allowed and blocked) that a firewall inspects, capturing each event between your systems and the internet. Depending on the configuration, a firewall log may include all inspected traffic or only what the firewall allows to pass into the environment (what “gets past” the firewall). Each entry of a firewall log will specify the following data: Field Description Timestamp Exact date and time traffic was processed Action Decision made by the firewall (Allow, Deny, Drop) Rule ID Specific firewall rule that triggered the action Source IP & Port IP address and port from where traffic originated Destination IP & Port IP address and port that the traffic was trying to reach Protocol Network protocol used (TCP, UDP, ICMP) Bytes/Session Amount of data transferred during a session Zones Source and destination security zones (Trust, Untrust, DMZ) Beyond the question of “What is a firewall log?” there is also the question of where to store them. Organizations have a few options here. Firewall logs can: Stay on the firewall device Go to a basic syslog server for storage Undergo analysis via a security information and event management (SIEM) tool What is a firewall review? The process of reviewing a firewall is akin to a scheduled maintenance procedure that updates the rulebook of your firewall system. Things to be on the lookout for include: Duplicate rules Outdated server rules Overly broad rules that can lead to security vulnerabilities What is a firewall log review? Ready to play detective? Because a firewall log review requires just that. Analyzing firewall data is a continuous process of extracting relevant information from the firewall logs, i.e., the firewall’s own journal of events.. The key is to identify specific patterns that indicate security incidents, performance issues, or non-compliance events. This, in turn, requires centralizing logs with synchronized device clocks so that timelines line up (i.e., NTP across firewalls, servers, and your SIEM) and putting controls in place to preserve log integrity. How to interpret firewall logs in 6 steps So now that it is clear what a firewall log is—as well as how to store these logs and review them—the next step is knowing how to interpret them. Successfully extracting the necessary data from your firewall logs is a six-step process: Collect logs in one place: The central system needs to receive logs from all firewalls that extend from the data center to the cloud. Each entry missing from your logs allows malicious actors to remain unseen, i.e., pose an unknown threat.. Figure out what's normal: To detect abnormal behavior, you must first create a baseline for normal activity, i.e., typical traffic patterns. Hunt for suspicious patterns: The official investigation begins! What to flag? Network scanning activity from a single IP address that attempts to access multiple ports and internal devices and makes scheduled connections to unverified external servers (beaconing). Add context: Context turns raw events into decisions. Enrich IPs and ports from your logs with: Asset inventory: What system and business app is this? User directories: Who owns/uses it? Threat intelligence: Is the source/destination risky? This enrichment helps determine impact and priority—not just “who/what,” but whether the activity is expected, whether the system is critical, and how urgently you need to respond. Investigate and act: Trigger an incident response plan: Validate findings Contain the incident (isolate the host, block indicators at the firewall). Collect forensics (packet captures, memory snapshot, log preservation) Eradicate the threat Recover systems, operations, and data (patches, credential resets, rule updates) Notify stakeholders Document the case for post‑incident review. Measure and improve: Learn from your results. Identify rules that are creating too much noise and clean them up. Most importantly, track how long it takes you to respond to incidents you find in your logs. How does AlgoSec help with firewall logs? Firewall log management across hybrid environments requires more than manual monitoring. It demands contextual understanding, automated processes, and permanent security measures. AlgoSec offers multiple features to combine all these components. It empowers your team to not only fully grasp what firewall logs are and their importance, but also helps you transition from event analysis to evidence-based remediation: AlgoSec Horizon : Security policy management via an approach based on business application, not a specific device. Offers complete monitoring of app connections between data centers and clouds, automated policy updates, and continuous compliance monitoring, connecting log traffic to actual application operations. Horizon Security Analyzer : Complete visibility into all firewalls to detect dangerous or unneeded rules. Optimizes rule bases by focusing on essential risk-related elements, resulting in less log data, improved signal quality, and faster review processes. Horizon FireFlow : Issue detection and response based on log data. Leverages automated workflows to execute risk and compliance assessments pre-deployment, complete with documentation; integrates with current ITSM systems (e.g., ServiceNow, BMC Remedy) so teams can perform change management tasks within a familiar environment. AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise (ACE) : A single policy framework for cloud and hybrid systems. Enables automated security group and cloud firewall rule management; performs 150+ cloud policy risk checks to deliver application-specific insights from cloud logs. Now is the time to convert your firewall logs into valuable business decisions. Request a demo to see AlgoSec in action today. 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Learn best practices for effective network firewall security management. Enhance your security posture with proper configuration, monitoring, and maintenance. Network firewall security management ---- ------- Schedule a Demo Select a size ----- Get the latest insights from the experts Firewall rule recertification - An application-centric approach Watch webinar Firewalls ablaze? Put out network security audit & compliance fires Watch webinar Firewall rule recertification Read document Choose a better way to manage your network

Learn about how CSPM tools secure clouds, fix misconfigurations, and ensure compliance. CSPM Tools Select a size Which network Can AlgoSec be used for continuous compliance monitoring? Yes, AlgoSec supports continuous compliance monitoring. As organizations adapt their security policies to meet emerging threats and address new vulnerabilities, they must constantly verify these changes against the compliance frameworks they subscribe to. AlgoSec can generate risk assessment reports and conduct internal audits on-demand, allowing compliance officers to monitor compliance performance in real-time. Security professionals can also use AlgoSec to preview and simulate proposed changes to the organization’s security policies. This gives compliance officers a valuable degree of lead-time before planned changes impact regulatory guidelines and allows for continuous real-time monitoring. Cloud security posture management (CSPM) explained Cloud adoption is peaking. Firmly mission-critical, the cloud is every enterprise’s go-to for robust IT operations. However, with every passing year, cloud environments become increasingly ephemeral, dynamic, and maze-like. Today’s federated multi- and hybrid cloud architectures may serve as a business engine, but they’re stacked with novel security and compliance risks that can potentially undermine their benefits. Since these architectures are so intertwined and interconnected, the smallest of cloud misconfigurations can lead to exploitable vulnerabilities, visibility gaps, and noncompliance incidents. Furthermore, in multi-vendor setups, shared responsibility models can be hard to decipher, complicating remediation. Mitigating cloud misconfigurations demands a dedicated security solution for c loud security posture management (CSPM). Integrating CSPM tools into your broader multi-cloud security stack can reinforce security and help maximize cloud adoption and investments. What is cloud security posture management (CSPM)? Cloud security posture management involves the use of cloud security solutions purpose-built to detect and remediate cloud misconfigurations and vulnerabilities. As cloud architectures proliferate and shapeshift, CSPM tools: Provide complete and continuous visibility across critical assets and resources Support consistent policy enforcement Detect configuration errors and drift CSPM tools have become essential to maintaining a robust security and compliance posture. This is reflected in the global CSPM tools market , projected to hit $8.6 billion by 2027, a CAGR of more than 15%. The best CSPM tools do more than catch cloud misconfigurations after incidents occur. Instead, they proactively scour cloud environments and pinpoint potential threats via contextualized risk analysis. They ensure your cloud is always secure and resilient—not just in the aftermath of security events. How do CSPM tools work? CSPM tools continuously assess cloud environments for risks. By identifying and remediating cloud misconfigurations in real time, they are a key weapon in the multi-cloud security arsenal. Leading CSPM tools can perform the following security functions: Identify every single cloud asset and build a consolidated cloud asset inventory across disparate services and vendors Cross-analyze every item in a cloud asset inventory against configuration benchmarks and baselines to validate policy enforcement Proactively monitor cloud environments to identify and curb configuration drift Identify hybrid and multi-cloud security risks, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities Employ contextualized risk analysis and cross-cloud correlation to ensure accurate risk prioritization and triage Offer automated remediation capabilities to mitigate cloud misconfigurations Provide continuous regulatory checks, compliance automation, and report generation for audits Below, we’ll discuss why these features are required in modern cloud ecosystems. Why CSPM tools are crucial for hybrid cloud and multi-cloud security Beyond knowing their core capabilities and how they operate, it’s important to understand why cloud security posture management solutions are non-negotiables in modern hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Complex cloud infrastructure Today, enterprise cloud setups are labyrinths, continuously increasing in complexity. According to Gartner , 9 out of 10 companies will have hybrid cloud architectures by 2027. The more complex cloud architectures are, the harder it becomes to achieve visibility, enforce policies, and prioritize risks. Generalist tools and legacy solutions will struggle to connect to these proliferating environments, making CSPM tools a pressing need. Proliferation of cloud misconfigurations With the proliferation of cloud environments comes the proliferation of cloud misconfigurations. Cloud misconfigurations include overprivileged identities, assets with weak credentials, and exposed storage buckets. Any of these exploitable cloud misconfigurations could result in major hybrid and multi-cloud security events. CSPM tools proactively address cloud misconfigurations, pruning the attack surface before incidents occur. Alert fatigue Handling security in dynamic cloud environments can be overwhelming. Security teams often suffer from alert fatigue, receiving alerts for hundreds of cloud misconfigurations without any way of knowing which ones are critical. Through contextualized risk analysis and accurate risk prioritization, CSPM tools surface the concerns that matter most. This context-based triage ensures that teams only receive alerts for high-risk cloud misconfigurations. Evolving regulatory requirements With new technologies like AI becoming business-critical, cloud regulations are evolving at unprecedented rates. Policy enforcement in accordance with criss-crossing compliance obligations becomes challenging, and reactive compliance strategies simply fail. CSPM tools, via automated compliance and stringent policy enforcement, help companies stay on top of today’s complicated regulatory landscape. Supply chain vulnerabilities Third-party risks are a major hybrid and multi-cloud security hurdle. The addition of numerous dependencies, APIs, and third-party components makes cloud environments susceptible to a wider range of cloud misconfigurations. Top CSPM tools shine a light on these serpentine supply chains, handing you the visibility needed to surface critical cloud misconfigurations, along with automated remediation and guidance to mitigate them. Recap: The benefits of robust CSPM tools Let’s review the advantages of commissioning a leading CSPM solution. Complete visibility: Unified, full-stack view of cloud resources, configurations, security controls, and policies Streamlined risk management: Proactive cloud evaluations, contextualized risk analysis, and automated remediation to diminish critical risks Stronger identity and access management: Continuous right-sizing of permissions across cloud identities, ensuring alignment with zero trust principles like least privilege Issue triage: Intelligent risk prioritization to escalate and mitigate only those cloud misconfigurations that are business-critical Fewer security incidents: Sustained mitigation of cloud misconfigurations, reducing exploitability and preventing escalation into data breaches and other major events Stronger compliance posture: Compliance automation to ensure that cloud configurations always align with regulatory baselines Business resilience and continuity: Accelerated remediation of critical cloud misconfigurations for stable IT operations Must-have features in CSPM tools When evaluating CSPM solutions, be on the lookout for the following non-negotiables. Feature Description Multi-cloud coverage Seamless interoperability and centralized policy enforcement, plus a unified view across AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure assets, data, firewall rules, and security groups Cloud asset inventory Comprehensive discovery and classification of every single resource across multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, including applications, networks, connectivity flows, data, serverless functions, and containerized workloads Cloud misconfiguration detection Continuous measurement of cloud settings against baselines and best practices to detect misconfigured assets, security vulnerabilities, and noncompliant resources Automated policy enforcement Intelligent automation to design, validate, and enforce cloud security policies without adding complexity or interrupting existing processes, tools, and workflows. Contextualized risk analysis + risk prioritization Intricate correlation to map cloud misconfigurations and network risks to business applications, enabling security teams to address risks based on asset criticality and actual threat exposure Automated remediation Automatic corrective mechanisms to fix cloud misconfigurations and remediation guidance for complex issues that require human intervention Compliance Automation Automated reporting and remediation to align policies, data practices, and cloud resources with regulations like GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, and prove adherence. DevSecOps and CI/CD integration Integrations with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps workflows to reinforce shift left strategies and prevent cloud misconfigurations from seeping into production The future of CSPM As hybrid and multi-cloud security needs increase in scope and scale, market and technology trends suggest that CSPM tools will evolve alongside or even ahead of cloud security complexities. For starters, we are already seeing CSPM innovations involving the integration of more advanced AI and ML capabilities. AI-driven CSPM tools will not only match the dynamism of contemporary cloud environments, but also feature higher levels of accuracy in detecting and triaging cloud misconfigurations. What does this mean? Security will become inherently predictive, with advanced ML algorithms improving contextualized risk analysis and risk prioritization by deriving insights faster and from a broader spectrum of telemetry. Lastly, the best CSPM tools will transcend silos and integrate with broader cloud network and application security platforms. In summary, the future of CSPM is set to bring even more advanced hybrid and multi-cloud security capabilities. The priority for companies should be making sure they commission a CSPM tool from a reputable provider at the forefront of these future trends. Horizon ACE: AlgoSec’s ultimate AI-powered CSPM Companies today require a CSPM tool with comprehensive and cutting-edge coverage. Cloud security posture management involves many moving parts. AlgoSec covers them all. AlgoSec’s AI-driven Horizon ACE platform features a robust CSPM component, complemented by a CNAPP, Kubernetes security, and IaC scanning. Like all of AlgoSec’s security offerings, Horizon ACE also has an application-centric edge, which is crucial considering applications constitute the majority of business-critical cloud assets. Horizon ACE CSPM’s standout attributes include: Complete multi-cloud coverage Zero blind spots Continuous and customizable compliance monitoring Augmenting Horizon ACE's CSPM capabilities are the AlgoSec Security Management Suite (ASMS), with its flagship Horizon Security Analyzer, Horizon FireFlow, and Horizon AppViz. How do ASMS and ACE further support CSPM? By providing: Automated policy enforcement and management Application-centric visibility and security Advanced network security coverage Contextualized risk analysis and mapping Comprehensive compliance management Together, AlgoSec's ASMS and Horizon ACE are all that an enterprise needs to tackle multi-cloud security challenges and reinforce cloud operations. How Horizon ACE elevates CSPM Businesses are rapidly scaling their cloud operations to remain competitive and boost their bottom line. However, the cloud is both an engine and a security vulnerability. Failure to address cloud misconfigurations can cancel out every one of the radical benefits it brings. Dialing in the CSPM component of multi-cloud security paves the path for robust cloud performance, both now and in the future. AlgoSec's ASMS strengthens cloud application and network security, and Horizon ACE takes CSPM to the next level. From comprehensive cloud asset inventorying and automated remediation to compliance automation and CI/CD integration, Horizon ACE covers all CSPM bases. Want to see how Horizon ACE CSPM can boost your multi-cloud security program? Schedule a demo today. Get the latest insights from the experts Schedule time with one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Continue

Marking the start of a consolidation era defined by unification, automation, and centralized control State of Network Security 2026 Select a size Which network Can AlgoSec be used for continuous compliance monitoring? Yes, AlgoSec supports continuous compliance monitoring. As organizations adapt their security policies to meet emerging threats and address new vulnerabilities, they must constantly verify these changes against the compliance frameworks they subscribe to. AlgoSec can generate risk assessment reports and conduct internal audits on-demand, allowing compliance officers to monitor compliance performance in real-time. Security professionals can also use AlgoSec to preview and simulate proposed changes to the organization’s security policies. This gives compliance officers a valuable degree of lead-time before planned changes impact regulatory guidelines and allows for continuous real-time monitoring. Executive summary After years of expansion and tool proliferation, 2026 will mark the beginning of a consolidation period defined by unification, automation, and control. As hybrid architectures, AI-driven workloads, and shared operational responsibilities continue to blur the boundaries between security, cloud, and network teams, the focus has shifted from adding tools to simplifying them. Security management solutions are now being evaluated through a much more strategic lens. When respondents were asked to identify the primary driver behind their selection, the dominant theme was control: the ability to unify policies, streamline operations, and reduce the overhead that comes from managing multiple, disconnected systems. Since last year’s report, interest in consolidation and simplification has only intensified. Multi-cloud remains the dominant operating model, but instead of seeking scale and breadth, businesses are prioritizing visibility and control. 55% of companies now select cloud platforms primarily based on security, a trend reinforced by Deloitte’s 2024 findings that security plays a “major role” in cloud investment decisions. Increasingly, every cloud decision is a security decision. AI is reshaping this environment even further. The priority has shifted from pilot to practice, with teams applying AI to practical, low-risk functions such as hybrid network visibility, compliance enforcement, and rule optimization. Across all trends uncovered in this research paper, the unifying thread is consolidation. This reflects an industry moving from fragmentation to cohesion, simplifying technology stacks, standardizing workflows, and building shared accountability across disciplines that once operated separately. Based on insights from 504 security, network, and cloud professionals across 28 countries, this year’s report offers one of the clearest snapshots yet of this transformation. As the network security landscape enters this new period of consolidation and clarity, one message stands out: resilience now depends less on how many tools an organization deploys, and more on how effectively those tools connect technically, operationally, and organizationally. Trend 1: The great firewall rebalance Organizations no longer buy tools solely to check boxes for compliance or to deliver incremental improvements. Instead, they are motivated by the need to regain centralized control in the face of sprawling hybrid architectures and increasingly fragmented policy enforcement. When respondents were asked to identify the primary driver behind their selection, the dominant theme was control: the ability to unify policies, streamline operations, and reduce the overhead that comes from managing multiple, disconnected systems. Performance and cost continue to matter, but they are no longer defining factors with performance and scalability emerging as the top driver at 29.4%. Our findings indicate that organizations are prioritizing platforms that can deliver consistent visibility across hybrid environments, integrate seamlessly with cloud-native services, and support automation at scale. This shift reinforces a broader trend seen throughout the survey – that security teams are consolidating around fewer, more capable management layers that can provide visibility in an increasingly complex network environment. This strategic shift is tied closely to the broader evolution of the firewall itself. As hybrid and multi-cloud architectures continue to expand, the role of the firewall is undergoing its most significant shift in more than a decade. Firewalls remain a critical enforcement point for securing digital assets, but the way enterprises deploy, manage, and evaluate them is changing rapidly. Rather than treating firewalls as isolated perimeter controls, organizations are increasingly viewing them as part of a distributed, policy-driven security environment that must operate consistently across data centers, public clouds, and emerging application environments. This evolution is being driven by the growing complexity of distributed infrastructures and the rising need for unified visibility. With workloads and data now spanning multiple clouds and service layers, security teams are rethinking how firewall capabilities fit into broader governance and automation frameworks. Scalability, interoperability, and centralized orchestration have become as important as raw inspection performance. What’s left is a strategic rebalance, where organizations are demanding more flexibility at the edge, more consistency in the middle, and more visibility at the management layer. Firewall strategies split across three paths This year’s findings report that 30% of respondents plan to expand into multi-vendor environments to maintain flexibility and avoid lock-in, while 24% are actively consolidating. A further 22% intend to maintain their current mix, signaling a period of stabilization after years of expansion. The data suggests that rather than pursuing one path exclusively, enterprises are balancing control and choice, consolidating at the management layer while retaining multi-vendor diversity at the edge. Palo Alto and Fortinet lead a tightening vendor field Vendor preferences in 2026 highlight consolidation in practice. Palo Alto Networks has reclaimed the top position it lost in 2025, with Fortinet rising from fourth to second, showing the appeal of tightly integrated security and networking under one platform. Palo Alto has gone on the record this year stating that consolidating security data into a single platform will avoid redundant ingestion costs and, with the help of AI analytics, make insights available across the entire security stack1 Azure Firewall drops to third as organizations rebalance native integration with cross-cloud interoperability. AWS Firewall and Check Point maintain steady adoption, while GCP enters the ranking – perhaps evidence that, even as the market consolidates, ecosystem “fit” can create room for additional players. Notably, Cisco dropped out of the cloud-firewall list entirely, reflecting a maturing market where nearly all organizations now deploy some form of pure cloud-based firewalling. Top five firewall vendors ranked by enterprise deployment and market shifts Key takeaway Firewall strategy is moving into a more deliberate and balanced phase. Rather than expanding indiscriminately or consolidating outright, organizations are adopting nuanced approaches that blend flexibility with control. Multi-vendor diversity remains valuable at the edge, but consolidation at the management layer is becoming essential for achieving consistent policy enforcement and operational clarity. As hybrid environments grow more complex, the enterprises that succeed will be those that rationalize their footprint without sacrificing the adaptability required in a multi-cloud world. Trend 2: Cloud firewall strategies prioritize consolidation As organizations mature their hybrid and multi-cloud environments, 2026 marks an inflection point in firewall strategy. After several years of vendor diversification, the pendulum is swinging back toward consolidation. Businesses are prioritizing unified visibility, simplified operations, and consistency in policy enforcement across complex, distributed networks. In other words, the focus has shifted from expanding coverage to regaining control – reducing sprawl, streamlining management, and integrating security more deeply into cloud architectures. Cloud firewall adoption solidifies as a strategic standard The move toward cloud-based firewalls continues, but with a change in tone. Rather than experimenting with cloud-native protection, most organizations now view it as essential to enterprise security. 24% of respondents plan to move primarily to cloud firewalls over the next two years, confirming that cloud-native controls are no longer an emerging consideration but a baseline expectation. As hybrid infrastructures become the norm, firewall strategies are being designed to operate seamlessly across both on-premise and cloud environments, enforcing consistent policy without introducing operational complexity. Hybrid control replaces hybrid compromise On the face of it, the emphasis on consolidation might signal a retreat from hybrid operations, but it actually represents a new approach to managing them. The question has simply evolved from, “which firewall secures the cloud,” to “which cloud secures the enterprise?” Firewalls are evolving from perimeter defenses into unified control planes for policy orchestration, compliance, and risk management across all environments. As AI workloads and distributed applications proliferate, organizations are standardizing policy and automating enforcement to prevent drift and maintain continuous compliance. Over the next 2 years, how do you expect your firewall strategy to evolve? Key takeaway The firewall market is consolidating around fewer, more integrated vendors. Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet now anchor the field, with cloud-native solutions firmly mainstream and GCP emerging as a secondary player. The dominant priority for 2026 is control: simplifying management, tightening policy enforcement, and building the unified visibility layer that modern hybrid enterprises depend on for resilience. Trend 3: Security becomes the deciding factor in cloud platform selection The cloud has now confidently become the enterprise control layer, where security, data, and consolidation converge. As organizations mature their multi-cloud strategies, the criteria for choosing providers are shifting. Performance and price remain relevant, but they are no longer decisive. In 2026, the dominant priority will be security, confirming that every cloud decision will indeed be a security decision. The rise of AI-driven workloads, compliance requirements, and cross-platform orchestration has made security the critical benchmark for platform selection. Security leads cloud decision-making According to Gartner, worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services reached $723.4 billion in 2025 (up from $595.7 billion in 2024)². More than half (55%) cited security as their top consideration, far exceeding any other factor. Ecosystem and integrations ranked second at 44%, while AI and data services (42%) followed closely behind. Collectively, this paints a picture of a market driven by protection, compatibility, and intelligence rather than cost. The finding also underscores a broader mindset shift – enterprises are no longer treating cloud as infrastructure, but as the foundation for secure operations. Integration and ecosystem strength outweigh price and performance The emphasis on ecosystem integration reflects how organizations are consolidating around platforms that offer tighter interoperability across security, networking, and data layers. Rather than adopting best-of-breed tools in isolation, businesses are favoring providers that enable unified visibility and shared policy control. This trend echoes the broader consolidation theme observed across firewall and automation data: complexity has reached its limit, and integration has become the differentiator. When selecting a cloud platform, which factor carries the most weight? AI and data services redefine platform value The inclusion of AI and data services among the top selection criteria signals a growing recognition that intelligence is now inseparable from security. Organizations increasingly choose cloud platforms that can support AI-enhanced monitoring, anomaly detection, and compliance analytics within the same environment. The result is a more strategic alignment between where data resides and how it is protected, a shift from infrastructure management to intelligent security orchestration. Consolidation shapes platform strategy These findings also reflect a broader pattern of consolidation across cloud ecosystems. While multi-cloud remains the operational norm, the drivers behind it have changed. Rather than spreading workloads for cost or redundancy, organizations are choosing fewer platforms and using them more deeply, consolidating workloads, policies, and visibility tools to reduce friction. The balance of flexibility and control remains key, but the overall gravitational pull is toward simplification. Consistent policy enforcement overtakes visibility as the top cloud security challenge The findings from the survey show a notable shift in the challenges organizations face when securing cloud applications. For the first time, maintaining consistent policies across on-premise and cloud environments (58.6%) has overtaken lack of visibility into cloud applications (54.3%) as the number-one obstacle. This change reflects the realities of growing tool sprawl and increasingly mixed deployment models. As businesses consolidate platforms and pursue unified control, the problem isn’t identifying what applications exist, but enforcing the right policies for those applications across multiple clouds, networks, and security layers. This also reinforces the broader consolidation narrative, where consistency is key to cloud security. Rank the cloud service providers most used in your organization Key takeaway It would be reasonable to say that cloud strategy and security strategy are now one and the same. With more than half of organizations ranking security as the defining factor in provider selection, this year has cemented the cloud’s role as the enterprise security backbone. The future of multi-cloud will not be decided by speed or scale alone, but by how effectively each platform can deliver integrated protection, data intelligence, and operational clarity across the entire digital estate. Trend 4: SD-WAN further cements its role The enterprise network edge continues to evolve, with SD-WAN now established as a mainstream capability rather than a specialist solution. As organizations expand their hybrid environments and distributed workforces, the demand for secure, high-performance connectivity has solidified SD-WAN’s role as the connective tissue between data centers, clouds, and users. This year’s findings show that the market is maturing: adoption is nearly universal, leadership has reshuffled, and the differentiator is no longer deployment speed but the depth of security integration. SD-WAN adoption reaches maturity For the first time, SD-WAN can be considered standard practice across most enterprise environments. The share of organizations reporting no solution applied has dropped sharply to 21.1%, confirming that SD-WAN has moved beyond early adoption. Businesses increasingly view it as foundational to hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, providing the visibility and policy control that traditional WAN models lacked. The focus now is on consolidating SD-WAN with broader security frameworks to create unified, adaptive network fabrics. Which SD-WAN ( Software-Defined WAN) solutions is your organization using? (select all that apply) Fortinet takes the lead in an increasingly competitive market This year’s results mark a significant milestone: Fortinet (31%) has become the most widely used SD-WAN solution for the first time, reflecting its strength in integrating advanced security and networking under one platform. Cisco (30.7%) remains a close second, leveraging both its Viptela and Meraki offerings to address enterprise and distributed site use cases. VMware (20.7%) and Palo Alto Networks (19.2%) maintain consistent adoption, while Aruba (16.1%) and Versa (13%) continue to serve mid-enterprise and service-provider environments. The data suggests a crowded but stabilizing market, with leadership now determined by convergence rather than coverage. Integration overtakes performance as the new priority While performance and scalability remain important, the defining value of SD-WAN this year will be integration, particularly its ability to operate seamlessly within consolidated security ecosystems. According to Gartner, by the end of 2026, 60% of new SD-WAN purchases will be part of a single-vendor SASE offering, up from 15 % in 2022.³ Organizations are no longer viewing SD-WAN as a stand-alone connectivity layer but as a key component of unified network and security orchestration. This trend is reinforced by the parallel growth of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), where many SD-WAN platforms now serve as the underlying transport for cloud-delivered security functions. Simplified management drives next-phase adoption As the market matures, ease of management has emerged as a primary differentiator. Enterprises want simplified, policy-based control that extends across both SD-WAN and security operations. Vendors capable of offering single-pane management, covering traffic routing, segmentation, and threat prevention, are gaining a decisive edge. This shift underscores the industry’s pivot from product expansion to platform unification, where value lies in operational simplicity and end-to-end visibility. Key takeaway SD-WAN has transitioned from optional to essential. Adoption is near-universal, and leadership now depends on the depth of integration with security and orchestration platforms. Fortinet has overtaken Cisco to lead the market, signaling that convergence, not performance, is the new metric for success. As enterprises strive to unify their networking and security stacks, SD-WAN’s role as the foundation of hybrid connectivity has never been clearer. Trend 5: SASE moves from exploration to standardization Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) continues its steady progression from a niche innovation to a mainstream framework for unified security and networking. Once viewed primarily as an aspirational goal, SASE is now being operationalized across industries as organizations seek to consolidate connectivity, control, and cloud-delivered protection within a single architecture. This year’s findings show a market that has matured beyond experimentation. Adoption is broadening, vendor leadership is stabilizing, and integration with SD-WAN has become the norm. Non-adoption falls for the third consecutive year For the third year running, the share of organizations without a SASE solution has declined, down to 27.5% from 40% in 2025. This consistent decrease signals that SASE adoption is no longer exploratory but a planned progression for most enterprises. The increasing prominence of SASE is also reflected by Gartner, who estimate that between 2025 and 2028 the market will have a CAGR of 26% and exceed $30 billion by the end of the decade. As hybrid and remote workforces become permanent fixtures, businesses are embedding SASE as the control layer that secures access, governs data movement, and enforces consistent policy across all environments. The technology’s role has shifted from experimental pilot to strategic pillar. Which SASE platform is your organization using? Zscaler and Prisma Access maintain leadership amid growing competition Zscaler (37.8%) remains the market leader in SASE adoption, closely followed by Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma Access (34.4%). Both platforms have consolidated their positions through strong ecosystem partnerships and mature policy integration, particularly across large enterprise deployments. Netskope (21.9%) continues its rapid ascent as the fastest-growing challenger, driven by its focus on data protection and multi-cloud visibility. Smaller providers, including Cato (9.3%), Barracuda (4.7%), and other vendors (5.4%), maintain regional or industry-specific footholds where turnkey simplicity and localized deployment remain priorities. SD-WAN and SASE converge under single-vendor models According to the Dell’Oro Group, single vendor SASE will grow twice as fast as multi-vendor SASE in the next few years5. Organizations increasingly favor single-vendor frameworks that deliver both connectivity and security from the same platform, reducing latency and operational overhead. This reflects the same drive toward consolidation seen across the broader network security landscape to fewer moving parts, shared visibility, and unified control. Last year’s Gartner projection that more than half of SD-WAN purchases will be tied to integrated SASE offerings6 by 2026 appears well on track. In fact, the Dell’Oro Group anticipates single-vendor SASE will make up 90% of the market by the end of the decade. Implementation complexity gives way to operational consistency The challenges that once slowed SASE adoption, such as multi-component integration, legacy dependencies, and management fragmentation, are giving way to more standardized deployment models. Enterprises are learning to phase implementation, layering security and access capabilities without disrupting core connectivity. As policy orchestration becomes more automated and AI-assisted, SASE is evolving from a complex project to an achievable operational baseline for hybrid enterprises. Key takeaway SASE has crossed the threshold from early adoption to normalization. Zscaler and Prisma Access continue to lead, but Netskope’s rapid rise shows that innovation still drives competition. The decline in non-adoption rates confirms that SASE is now the de-facto model for secure, distributed access, valued for its operational simplicity and the consistency it delivers across the modern enterprise network. Trend 6: True zero trust remains elusive Zero Trust remains one of the most discussed principles in cybersecurity, yet one of the slowest to fully materialize in practice. The philosophy of “never trust, always verify” continues to guide strategic planning, but this year’s data reveals that operational progress has stalled. Awareness and intent are high, but implementation maturity has plateaued. Most organizations have laid the groundwork, such as segmentation, identity management, and access control, but few have advanced beyond these initial stages to comprehensive, policy-driven Zero Trust frameworks. Adoption steady, but forward motion limited Overall Zero Trust adoption remains consistent at around 55-60%, nearly identical to last year. However, the share of organizations still in the learning phase has increased from 20% to 31%, indicating that while more enterprises are engaging with the concept, fewer are moving to execution. This highlights a widening gap between intent and implementation, where Zero Trust is now universally recognized as the right approach, but practical deployment continues to challenge even mature security teams. What is your current Zero Trust implementation status? Execution gaps widen as awareness grows The data also shows that increased awareness has not translated into faster rollout. Many enterprises are still navigating legacy infrastructure, fragmented identity systems, and policy enforcement across hybrid networks. Even organizations that have implemented partial Zero Trust measures, such as micro-segmentation or network division, often lack unified governance models. The result is a growing class of “permanently pilot” deployments that are “active,” but not yet integrated or automated. This finding is echoed by Gartner, which revealed that in 2026, only 10 % of large enterprises will have a “mature and measurable” Zero Trust programme in place, up from less than 1 % today7. Fragmented approaches slow standardization The variety of adoption paths available further complicates progress. Some organizations are investing in Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) as an entry point, while others prioritize endpoint verification or identity-based access control. This flexibility allows for adaptation but prevents standardization, making it difficult to measure maturity consistently across industries. The absence of a universal framework also leads to uneven tool adoption and inconsistent results, reinforcing the need for clearer guidance and shared benchmarks. Education becomes the critical barrier The rising proportion of organizations still in the learning phase reflects a shortage of accessible best practices and practical guidance. Many teams understand the goal of Zero Trust but struggle to translate it into architectural blueprints or measurable outcomes. Training, governance alignment, and vendor-neutral frameworks are now essential to bridge this gap, ensuring that education accelerates adoption rather than replacing it. Key takeaway Zero Trust remains the strategic north star for enterprise security, but the journey toward full implementation has stalled. Awareness is at an all-time high, yet maturity has barely shifted. This year’s findings highlight an execution gap driven by complexity, fragmented infrastructure, and limited practical guidance. Organizations that focus on education, cross-team alignment, and measurable governance will be best positioned to move Zero Trust from aspiration to operational reality. Trend 7: AI-powered threats and defenses go mainstream Artificial intelligence has become both the newest threat vector and the next frontier of defense. According to McKinsey, phishing attacks have surged by 1200% since generative AI went mainstream in 2022, but at the same time, more than 90% of defensive AI capabilities are being outsourced to third parties – showing that businesses are keen to leverage the technology to defend themselves. That trend will continue in 2026, when the conversation around defensive AI will move beyond theory and into practice. Organizations are no longer asking if AI will change their security posture. Instead they want to know how fast they can adapt. Our findings show that while most enterprises are already taking steps to address AI-powered attacks, only a minority have made the deeper structural and procedural changes needed to counter them effectively. The result is a mixed picture - strong awareness, accelerating experimentation, but uneven readiness. How they are adapting to AI-powered attacks? Most organizations are adapting, but depth of change varies The majority (65%) have already adapted their strategies, with 23.6% making major structural changes and 40.9% implementing moderate adjustments. Surprisingly, only 15.6% reported no action at all. This points to an industry that has accepted the inevitability of AI as both an enabler and an adversary. However, while surface-level adaptations are widespread, the transformation of governance, tooling, and training remains in its early stages. AI investment shifts toward visibility and control This year’s responses mark a sharp contrast to last year. Where last year’s priorities centered on real-time notifications and incident response, this year focus has shifted to AI-powered visibility and risk prioritization (39.1%). Organizations are using AI to map hybrid networks, detect policy drift, and surface anomalies faster. AI-driven compliance and policy enforcement (23.7%) has emerged as the next priority, reflecting growing confidence in machine-led governance for structured, repeatable tasks. In essence, enterprises are applying AI where precision matters more than prediction. Operational hygiene overtakes experimentation While generative AI captured early attention, most organizations are deploying AI to improve operational hygiene rather than innovation. Application-centric security modeling (18.4%) and identification of unused or overly permissive rules (15.8%) rank lower but illustrate a pragmatic trend: using AI to clean up, not reinvent. These controlled, low-risk use cases deliver measurable value while avoiding the unpredictability associated with broader AI automation. The preference for predictability over experimentation signals a cautious but maturing stage of adoption. AI readiness exposes gaps in governance and skills Despite rising adoption, governance and human oversight remain persistent challenges. Many teams lack formal frameworks to validate AI-driven decisions or ensure accountability when automated systems act autonomously. The gap between AI’s technical potential and organizational readiness mirrors the early years of cloud adoption, where enthusiasm outpaced structured implementation. Without parallel investments in training, oversight, and transparent governance, AI-powered defenses risk replicating the same visibility issues they are meant to solve. Which AI cases will have the greatest impact over the next 2 years? Key takeaway AI has become a defining force in network security, driving both threat evolution and defensive transformation. Two-thirds of organizations have already adjusted their strategies, but maturity levels remain uneven. The focus has shifted decisively from detection to visibility, and from experimentation to control. As enterprises refine their governance frameworks and strengthen human oversight, AI will transition from a reactive tool to an operational cornerstone, turning awareness into measurable resilience. Trend 8: Automation maturity continues What began as a gradual shift toward orchestration and policy simplification in previous years has now become a defining operational capability. Our research confirms that automation has matured into a measurable discipline that directly influences efficiency, compliance, and resilience across hybrid networks. Yet while the benefits are increasingly clear, full-scale orchestration across environments remains a work in progress. Automation becomes a measurable benchmark The results show a clear divide: 24% of organizations now operate at a high level of automation, while 30% report moderate automation. Twenty-six percent remain at a low level, and 20% still rely primarily on manual processes. This sprawl validates last year’s prediction that automation would become foundational to network security. It also underscores the persistence of a maturity gap between those leveraging automation strategically and those applying it reactively to reduce workloads. From process acceleration to policy assurance Beyond accelerating workflows, organizations are now using automation to enforce security policy consistently across hybrid environments. This includes automated risk analysis, change verification, and compliance tracking - all areas once dominated by manual oversight. By shifting from speed to assurance, automation has become central to maintaining reliability and reducing configuration drift, particularly in multi-vendor or multi-cloud architectures where consistency is hardest to achieve. How would you describe your organization’s current level of automation in network security management? Operational and cultural barriers persist Despite progress, barriers remain. Many organizations struggle to extend automation across silos, particularly between cloud, network, and application security teams. Legacy approval processes, lack of centralized governance, and limited cross-tool integration continue to restrict scalability. This has resulted in “partial” automation, where specific workflows are automated, but end-to-end orchestration across systems and teams remains difficult to pin down. This mirrors the early adoption curve we saw in cloud migration – progress being built through incremental cultural and procedural change rather than technology alone. A proving ground for AI-enhanced orchestration The intersection between automation and AI is emerging as the next frontier. AI-assisted orchestration tools are beginning to optimize rule management, recommend policy changes, and predict the downstream impact of configuration updates. However, confidence in fully autonomous decision-making remains low. For now, organizations are embracing a human-in-the-loop model, where automation handles execution while humans retain control of validation and governance. This balance is shaping a pragmatic, risk-conscious approach to automation at scale. Key takeaway Automation has evolved from a strategic ambition into an operational benchmark. Nearly half of all organizations now operate with moderate to high levels of automation, validating its role as a core pillar of network security. Yet maturity remains uneven, with cultural inertia and fragmented governance slowing progress. The next leap will come from convergence and uniting automated workflows, AI-assisted orchestration, and unified policy management to deliver the end-to-end agility and assurance enterprises have long aimed for. Trend 9: Consolidation - teams and platforms move toward unified control As hybrid environments expand and the boundaries between cloud, network, and security responsibilities continue to blur, businesses are rethinking not only what they manage but how they manage it. Our findings reveal an industry shifting toward shared accountability, unified visibility, and integrated control. Consolidation is happening at two levels: teams and platforms, and both are accelerating. Team structures shift toward shared ownership The operational model for security is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. Organizations are moving away from isolated, domain-specific teams and toward structures that promote shared priorities and cross-functional coordination. The findings show that only 19% are currently working in siloed departments, while 36% of respondents report that their cloud, network, and security teams have consolidated around shared tools. A further 25% of respondents have aligned around shared initiatives and 20% have gone further, operating as fully consolidated teams. This represents a substantial step toward unified governance. Instead of managing separate workflows or conflicting priorities, teams are aligning around common frameworks for risk, compliance, and service delivery. As AI and automation become more embedded in operations, this collaborative approach is emerging as the new standard for effective decision-making and consistent policy enforcement. Shared tools become the foundation for cross-team alignment The rise of shared tooling reflects a deliberate move toward standardization. When cloud, network, and security teams use different systems, visibility fractures and operational gaps appear. But when they converge around shared management layers and shared data sources, collaboration becomes frictionless. This year’s results show that shared tools are now the primary mechanism for team alignment, which is the strongest sign yet that consolidation is being built from the ground up through day-to-day operational workflows rather than top-down restructuring. How would you best describe the current alignment of cloud & network security teams? Platform consolidation accelerates as organizations seek While team structures are converging, platform consolidation is accelerating even faster. According to our findings, 75% of organizations have consolidated at least some portion of their security tools or policies under a single platform of management layer. While team structures are converging, platform consolidation is accelerating even faster. According to the 2026 findings, 75% of organizations have consolidated at least some portion of their security tools or policies under a single platform or management layer. Around 30% report partial consolidation, 19% say the majority of their infrastructure now sits under one platform, and 10% have achieved full consolidation. Only a quarter still operate with fragmented tooling. What percentage of your cloud and network security tools are currently consolidated under a single platform or policy engine? This reflects a broader desire for unified visibility and simplified operations. As hybrid and multi-cloud deployments grow in scale, point solutions are becoming operationally burdensome. Organizations increasingly want fewer dashboards, fewer approval workflows, and fewer interfaces to manage, instead preferring integrated platforms that are capable of enforcing policy consistently across environments. Key takeaway Consolidation is redefining how enterprises operate, both structurally and technologically. Teams are aligning around shared tools, shared responsibilities, and, increasingly, shared governance models. At the same time, platforms are consolidating to provide unified visibility and consistent policy enforcement across hybrid environments. Conclusion The state of network security this year is defined by clarity emerging from complexity. After several years of rapid expansion across multi-cloud environments, AI-powered operations, and hybrid architectures, organizations are entering a new phase of consolidation and control. Our survey findings reveal a collective recalibration, with organizations moving away from tool proliferation toward unified management, shared visibility, and measurable automation. Firewalls, SD-WAN, and SASE have all evolved into foundational pillars of a more cohesive network security stack, while Zero Trust and AI continue to mature, bridging the gap between strategy and execution. Compared to last year, we are now seeing a transition from experimentation to optimization. Where last year’s findings reflected a market still expanding in every direction, this year captures a shift toward simplification. The drive for flexibility has given way to the pursuit of consistency, where performance metrics are being replaced by governance and assurance benchmarks. Consolidation of vendors, tools, and even teams, now defines the path forward. Adding layers of protection is not enough – those layers need to operate cohesively. Looking ahead, the next generation of network security will hinge on visibility, automation, and collaboration, not as separate initiatives, but as integrated capabilities that span every layer of the digital ecosystem. For an industry that has long been dominated by complexity and a “more is better” approach, the next year might be quite surprising. As organizations continue to align their cloud, network, and security teams, the most resilient will be those that embrace simplicity rather than complexity, transforming control into confidence. Methodology This report is based on comprehensive research conducted by AlgoSec, gathering insights from security, network, and cloud professionals across a broad range of industries and regions. The data was collected through a global survey carried out in the second half of 2025, designed to capture real-world perspectives on the challenges, priorities, and evolving trends shaping network security in 2026. Survey scope and participants The study reflects responses from 504 professionals representing 28 countries. Participants span a diverse set of roles, including security architects, engineers, and analysts (25%); IT and network managers (21%); CISOs and heads of security (13%); consultants and specialists (9%); CTOs, CIOs, and senior IT leaders (6%); business, program, and product managers (7%); DevOps, cloud, and software professionals (8%); and other or undefined roles (11%). This broad representation ensures a balanced view across enterprise, mid-market, and specialist organizations operating within hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Research objectives The primary goal of this study was to identify key trends and shifts in network security practice, from strategic priorities to operational realities. The research explores: How organizations are consolidating security management across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures The evolving role of automation, orchestration, and AI-driven security in modern frameworks Adoption trends across firewalls, SD-WAN, SASE, and Zero Trust architectures The impact of consolidation on tool selection, team alignment, and visibility How enterprises are adapting to AI-powered threats and increasing operational complexity Data collection and analysis Participants were asked to provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback on their current deployments, planned investments, and primary challenges in managing network security infrastructure. The survey established new baselines in several areas, including AI-powered attack readiness, automation maturity, and consolidation of tools and teams, while tracking multi-year trends from previous editions of the research. Responses were analyzed to identify correlations, emerging patterns, and year-over-year changes in market behavior. By leveraging direct insights from practitioners and decision-makers, this study provides an objective, vendor-neutral snapshot of the global network security landscape. Its findings are intended to help organizations benchmark their progress, assess market maturity, and make informed decisions as they navigate the next stage of digital transformation. About AlgoSec AlgoSec, a global cybersecurity leader, empowers organizations to securely accelerate application delivery up to 10 times faster by automating application connectivity and security policy across the hybrid network environment. With two decades of expertise securing hybrid networks, over 2200 of the world’s most complex organizations trust AlgoSec to help secure their most critical workloads. AlgoSec Horizon platform utilizes advanced AI capabilities, enabling users to automatically discover and identify their business applications across multi-clouds, and remediate risks more effectively. It serves as a single source for visibility into security and compliance issues across the hybrid network environment, to ensure ongoing adherence to internet security standards, industry, and internal regulations. Additionally, organizations can leverage intelligent change automation to streamline security change processes, thus improving security and agility. Learn how AlgoSec enables application owners, information security experts, SecOps and cloud security teams to deploy business applications faster while maintaining security at www.algosec.com . For more information, visit www.algosec.com Get the latest insights from the experts Schedule time with one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... 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Cisco awards AlgoSec with EMEA Co-Sell Partner of the Year and Cisco Meraki Marketplace Tech Partner of the Month based on the company’s continued innovation and dedication to application security AlgoSec Wins Two Cisco Partnership Awards, Recognizing the Value for Securing Application Connectivity Across Hybrid Networks Cisco awards AlgoSec with EMEA Co-Sell Partner of the Year and Cisco Meraki Marketplace Tech Partner of the Month based on the company’s continued innovation and dedication to application security November 20, 2024 Speak to one of our experts RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ, November 20, 2024 – Global cybersecurity leader AlgoSec announced it was named November 2024’s Cisco Meraki Marketplace Tech Partner of the Month. AlgoSec received the award for its Secure Application Connectivity platform, which transforms network security policy management by intelligently automating and orchestrating security change processes. Cisco’s cloud-managed Meraki platform enables users to centrally manage and configure security solutions, bridging the gap between hardware and the cloud to deliver a high-performance network. When integrated with AlgoSec’s secure application connectivity platform, joint customers can achieve holistic visibility across their Cisco and multivendor network, expedite security policy changes, reduce risks, prevent outages and ensure continuous compliance. “We are thrilled to be recognized as a value-added partner by Cisco,” said Reinhard Eichborn , Director of Strategic Alliances at AlgoSec. “In the current security landscape, embracing automation to eliminate human errors, misconfigurations and prolonged outages is vital. Our partnership with Cisco enables us to do this by giving customers a holistic view of how applications operate within their network, removing the need for manual monitoring and data processing. It’s a single source of truth for application security management that helps sustain business-critical operations and limit the threat of a potential data breach." AlgoSec has been recognized by winning Cisco’s Co-Sell Partner of the Year EMEA award for its collaborative efforts to jointly market and sell complementary solutions alongside Cisco to allow joint customers to secure their complex networks by focusing on the applications that run their businesses. The dynamic partnership focuses on improving visibility, automating application connectivity changes and easily discovering and managing risks by integrating the AlgoSec platform with Cisco’s network solutions. The awards program honors top-performing partners that have introduced innovative processes, seized new opportunities and adopted sales approaches that achieve substantial business outcomes for customers. In today’s threat environment, innovative security measures that prioritize security at the application level have become essential. Further underscoring AlgoSec’s commitment to application security, the company was recently recognized by Cyber Defense Magazine’s Top InfoSec Innovator 2024 awards as a winner in the Hot Company Application Security and Most Innovative Network Security and Management categories. The program awards companies that demonstrate understanding of tomorrow’s threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach. To find out more visit https://www.algosec.com/cisco-algosec/ . About AlgoSec AlgoSec, a global cybersecurity leader, empowers organizations to secure application connectivity and cloud-native applications throughout their multi-cloud and hybrid network. Trusted by more than 1,800 of the world’s leading organizations, AlgoSec’s application-centric approach enables secure acceleration of business application deployment by centrally managing application connectivity and security policies across the public clouds, private clouds, containers, and on-premises networks. Using its unique vendor-agnostic deep algorithm for intelligent change management automation, AlgoSec enables the acceleration of digital transformation projects, helps prevent business application downtime and substantially reduces manual work and exposure to security risks. AlgoSec’s policy management and CNAPP platforms provide a single source for visibility into security and compliance issues within cloud-native applications as well as across the hybrid network environment, to ensure ongoing adherence to internet security standards, industry, and internal regulations. Learn how AlgoSec enables application owners, information security experts, DevSecOps and cloud security teams to deploy business applications up to 10 times faster while maintaining security at https://www.algosec.com . 

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AlgoSec’s latest product release provides application-based risk analysis and enhanced support for cloud platforms Extend application connectivity visibility into the multicloud with AlgoSec A32.20 AlgoSec’s latest product release provides application-based risk analysis and enhanced support for cloud platforms May 3, 2022 Speak to one of our experts RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., May 3, 2022 – AlgoSec , the application connectivity and security policy company, announced today the release of its latest product version A32.20. AlgoSec’s A32.20 provides a powerful solution for organizations to manage security in their hybrid and multi-cloud estate. With A32.20, organizations obtain granular application visibility and discovery, allowing them to identify and analyze risk in their multicloud environment, including AWS, GCP and Azure. The key benefits that AlgoSec A32.20 delivers to IT, network and security experts include: Application-based risk analysis in the Cloud Enables SecOps teams to shift focus of risk analysis and remediation efforts to specific business applications beyond risk categories. PAN Prisma access support As an early availability, A32.20 supports Prisma Access visibility for remote networks and service connections, a true industry leading technology of this kind. GCP risk support A32.20 provides advanced capabilities to support discovery of GCP related risks across the hybrid network estate and multiple public clouds Extended support of NSX in AWS As an early availability, A32.20 offers extended cloud support for NSX running on AWS in addition to the existing on-premise support. “With this release, A32.20 offers new powerful cloud coverage, including PAN Prisma access. This gives customers the ability to deploy apps in the cloud and on-premise faster than ever before”, said Eran Shiff, Vice President of Product at AlgoSec. “A32.20 provides a comprehensive solution for organizations to secure application connectivity, reduce risk and ensure continuous compliance while undergoing digital transformation.” About AlgoSec AlgoSec, a global cybersecurity leader, empowers organizations to secure application connectivity by automating connectivity flows and security policy, anywhere. The AlgoSec platform enables the world’s most complex organizations to gain visibility, reduce risk and process changes at zero-touch across the hybrid network. AlgoSec’s patented application-centric view of the hybrid network enables business owners, application owners, and information security professionals to talk the same language, so organizations can deliver business applications faster while achieving a heightened security posture. Over 1,800 of the world’s leading organizations trust AlgoSec to help secure their most critical workloads across public cloud, private cloud, containers, and on-premises networks, while taking advantage of almost two decades of leadership in Network Security Policy Management. See what securely accelerating your digital transformation, move-to-cloud, infrastructure modernization, or micro-segmentation initiatives looks like at www.algosec.com

Efficiently manage network security policies with AlgoSec’s solution to ensure compliance, reduce risks, and streamline operations across your hybrid IT environment. Network security policy management software (NSPM) What is network security policy management? Network security policy management is the process of creating, implementing and maintaining policies and procedures to protect an organization’s network and data against unauthorized access, use, disclosure and disruption, modification or destruction. Specific activities include identifying and mitigating security risks, testing and deploying changes to connectivity and security rules, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations and more. AlgoSec provides the leading solution for simplifying and automating network security policy management across on-premise firewalls, SDNs and in the public clouds. Its centralized management enables sweeping visibility, effective risk detection and intelligent automation. These capabilities come together to drive stronger security, sustained compliance, reduced risk and faster application delivery – all while cutting manual work, costs, and compliance efforts. Schedule a Demo Why do you need firewall and network security management? Centralized firewall and network security management is essential for preserving a secure, compliant environment – across the devices and workflows in your IT ecosystem. It’s also fundamental for solving a range of connected issues that generate security risks and non-compliance concerns: Technical debt Shadow IT Inconsistent, redundant and obsolete rules Visibility blind spots Growing network complexity IT personnel changes Emerging security vulnerabilities. A firewall and network security management solution helps you achieve IT security and compliance goals – at scale – through extensive integration options, full-scale visibility and intelligent automation. It keeps your hybrid network safe by providing clear processes for aspects ranging from change management to compliance reporting, and monitors if these processes remain effective as your requirements evolve. Schedule a Demo Network security management FAQ Frequently asked questions about network security management and AlgoSec’s network security policy management platform. How does firewall security management differ from network security management? Firewall security management is one of the specialized components of network security management – the practice of ensuring the overall safety of the entire network and its devices. Specifically, firewall management involves configuring rules to allow or block specific types of traffic based on factors such as IP address, port and protocol. Network security management covers a wider range of tasks, but both processes are essential for reducing the organization’s attack surface and for effective risk management. What key role does firewall configuration management play in network security? The security and exposure of web, email, VPN and database servers, routers, workstations and other devices depend on effective firewall configuration management. That’s because firewalls are responsible for blocking unwanted or malicious traffic (e.g. malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, etc.) and allowing legitimate traffic to pass through. Besides creating traffic filtering rules, managing firewall configurations also involves securing access, keeping the firewall up to date. And since most regulatory authorities expect organizations to have firewalls as part of their security controls, the effectiveness of firewall configuration management cascades across compliance requirements as well. How does network security management help with risk management? Network security management activities help identify the sources of IT security risk, apply mitigating measures and monitor the effectiveness of this cycle as the business environment evolves. Specific processes include: Identifying potential vulnerabilities (e.g. application connectivity flows, weak credentials, unpatched software, open ports, etc.) through security assessments and penetration testing. Prioritizing risks and keeping security teams aligned on which high-impact security threats need fast resolution to avoid breaches and situations of non-compliance. Implementing security controls (e.g. firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, encryption, etc.) that strengthen the organization’s security posture. Pushing firewall rules to devices so they don’t open security holes and increase exposure to cyberattacks. Continuously monitoring the network for evidence of security breaches, (e.g. unusual activity, unauthorized access etc.). Applying cybersecurity incident response plans in the event of a successful attack (e.g. isolating affected systems) to avoid or minimize downtime and ensure business continuity. How can I proactively assess and manage security threats? Information security offers a range of options to proactively determine and manage security threats across people, processes and technology: Regular security assessments that scrutinize networks, systems and applications to identify vulnerabilities and exposure to cyberattacks. Examples include penetration testing, vulnerability management and threat modeling. Multi-layered security through tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems and antivirus software. Policy and procedures reviews and updates that ensure they remain compliant and effective against bad actors’ evolving tactics. Network monitoring with real-time notifications to identify signs of compromise such as unusual login and account activity, suspicious or unknown files, and evidence of device tampering. Network log management that documents activity across cloud environments, web applications, endpoints and other systems, creating a trail of examinable evidence. Threat hunting searches for indicators of compromise from bad actors who may have evaded detection and maintained a covert presence in the network. Patch management that pinpoints outdated devices and software, delivering necessary upgrades to close security holes and fix known issues. Security awareness initiatives such as training employees and establishing a communication channel they can use to report potential security issues. The right technology reduces the complexity of managing multiple security layers and makes the entire process feasible and efficient. For instance, the AlgoSec Network Security Policy Management platform proactively evaluates the impact of proposed policy changes to minimize risk, prevent outages and maintain compliance. Because it also integrates with leading vulnerability scanners, AlgoSec maps security vulnerabilities to their business applications, so you can effectively assess and prioritize risks based on reliable context data. Can AlgoSec unify visibility and management across cloud, SDN and on-premise enterprise networks? IT and security managers who choose AlgoSec to simplify their network environments mention easy integration and comprehensive network insight as their main ROI drivers. That’s because the AlgoSec Network Security Policy Management platform provides full visibility across firewalls and security controls deployed on public and private clouds, as well as SDNs such as Cisco ACI and VMware NSX. The consolidation it enables makes it easy to: Have an up-to-date map of all the devices on the network Understand the information flow between firewalls Extract information about specific firewall rules Trim the firewall ruleset – by as much as 90% Reduce rule project reviews – from 1 month to 1 day according to our customers. Make firewall rule changes in minutes instead of days. Can I stay compliant using network security policy management solutions? Network security policy management solutions are indispensable to technical and business teams that need to coordinate across complex compliance tasks. They provide tangible benefits throughout the security policy management lifecycle: Automated discovery and visualization Real-time network topology updates Ongoing clean-up and optimization Automatic security rules documentation Continuous compliance checks Ready-to-use reports. An example of this is AlgoSec’s Network Security Policy Management platform, which generates pre-filled, audit-ready compliance reports for industry regulations (e.g. PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, ISO 27001, etc.). The AlgoSec solution also enables you to create customized corporate policies, which reduces audit preparation efforts by as much as 80% according to customers. I want to migrate my applications securely. Can AlgoSec’s Network Security Policy Management platform help me achieve this? Absolutely! AlgoSec’s Network Security Policy Management platform simplifies the entire process of migrating applications to the cloud or another data center. Its easy-to-use, customizable workflows help you automatically bring documentation up to date, clean up firewall rules, generate and push security policy changes to devices and lots more. It also keeps network access and the security policy’s integrity and compliance intact throughout the process. Customers mention effective orchestration of all migrations tasks as a core driver for ROI and report reducing rule migration time by 80%. What is the typical pricing range for network security policy management solutions? The cost of network security policy management solutions depends on: Pricing model – per license, per user, per endpoint or device or per usage (e.g. gigabytes processed). Contract duration – one-time fee or subscription (yearly, monthly). Add-ons and modifiers – pricing per integration, per update, per deployment hour. This results in a broad pricing range with large discrepancies between low-end and high-end network security policy management solutions. Yearly costs for complex environments with hundreds of users and multiple providers typically start at a few thousand US dollars and go up to six figures. If you’re interested in AlgoSec, you can request a quote, contact sales or locate a partner near you. We’d love to help! Schedule a Demo Additional network security policy management features AlgoSec’s Network Security Policy Management platform supports the following use cases Auditing and Compliance Avoid costly non-compliance with automatic checks and context-specific advice on proposed rule changes. Generate quick, audit-ready reports for regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, NERC and many more. Change Management Save 80% of the time spent on network security changes with automatic tracking and validation. Stay on top of things with real-time notifications, even when using a managed security service provider. Micro-segmentation Combine security modeling capabilities with deep knowledge of firewall information and application connectivity flows to ensure proper isolation. Automated micro-segmentation rules reduce your attack surface and monitor efficiency over time. Firewall & Network Security Risk Management Reduce risk across hybrid cloud environments by implementing a lean set of standardized firewall rules. Prevent errors and misconfigurations with automatic checks and quick remediation and clean-up. Digital Transformation Use out-of-the-box workflows to discover, map and migrate application connectivity with full compliance and no downtime. Reduce rule migration time by 80%, deploy necessary policy changes as you go, and increase your security posture and business agility. DevOps Improve application deployment speed and security with real-time policy visibility and fast troubleshooting. Simplify your DevOps workflow with smart automation and free your team up for other important tasks. Schedule a Demo Select a size What is network security policy management? Why do you need firewall and network security management? Network security management FAQ Additional network security policy management features Get the latest insights from the experts Use these six best practices to simplify compliance and risk mitigation with the AlgoSec platform White paper Learn how AlgoSec can help you pass PCI-DSS Audits and ensure continuous compliance Solution overview See how this customer improved compliance readiness and risk management with AlgoSec Case study Choose a better way to manage your network

Learn how to keep firewall and network security policies audit-ready with ongoing rule review, change governance, evidence, and compliance monitoring Continuous compliance for firewall and network security policies ---- ------- Schedule a Demo Select a size ----- Get the latest insights from the experts Choose a better way to manage your network