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Exploring Best Practices for Transitioning from SD-WAN to SASE

As the landscape of enterprise networking continues to evolve, organizations are increasingly faced with various challenges and opportunities, especially during their transition from SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking) to SASE (Secure Access Service Edge). This upcoming webinar hosted by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) will delve into these important topics, aiming to equip IT professionals with the necessary insights and strategies.

Webinar Overview

On May 12, 2026, the EMA will host a highly informative webinar titled "Hear from the Experts: Best Practices for Evolving from SD-WAN to SASE." This event will feature Christopher M. Steffen, Vice President of Research at EMA, along with industry thought leaders including Ciaran Roche, Co-Founder and CTO at Coevolve, Kevin Sheu, VP of Product Marketing at Versa Networks, and Ameet Naik, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Zscaler.

The discussion will center on a recent survey that captured the perspectives of 226 IT professionals regarding the transition from SD-WAN to SASE. As organizations adopt cloud-first and hybrid work strategies, the traditional barriers between networking and security are starting to blur, making this transition not only timely but essential.

The Importance of SASE

SASE encompasses a principle that places identity at the heart of access control, ensuring that consistent security policies apply regardless of user location. While SD-WAN has brought about improved agility and cost-effectiveness, it has simultaneously introduced new security concerns due to increased dependence on direct internet access. Many enterprises, therefore, are adopting SASE frameworks to combine network and security functionalities into a cohesive, cloud-centric model.

According to Steffen, "The transition to SASE is a fundamental convergence where identity, not location, defines the network perimeter. Leveraging AI-driven, self-healing architectures allows the enterprise to resolve the paradox between high-performance connectivity and rigorous, cloud-native security."

Key Discussion Points

During the webinar, experts will address several crucial elements, including:

• - Proven best practices for transitioning from SD-WAN to SASE: Participants will learn practical, actionable insights from those who have successfully navigated this transformation.
• - Balancing performance and security: The discussion will shed light on strategies for maintaining optimal performance without compromising security in increasingly distributed, cloud-centric environments.
• - The roles of AI and automation: The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence can enhance network resilience and operational efficiency. Attendees will hear how these innovations can provide visibility and accelerate response times during complex network operations.
• - Findings from EMA's latest WAN transformation research: Attendees will gain an understanding of the latest trends and research findings from EMA's comprehensive study on WAN transformation in 2026.

Register Now

This informative event is scheduled for May 12 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. For professionals looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving IT landscape, registration is available at EMA's registration link.

In addition, participants who attend the webinar will be provided with a detailed analysis of the research findings through the report titled "WAN Transformation 2026: Best Practices for Evolving from SD-WAN to SASE." This report will be critical for anyone involved in network architecture and security.

About EMA

Founded in 1996, Enterprise Management Associates is recognized for its expertise in IT research and consulting. The firm focuses on providing actionable insights through independent research, market analysis, and vendor evaluations. EMA empowers organizations to make informed technology decisions relevant to today's challenges.

To delve deeper into EMA’s research, analysis, and consulting services, visit Enterprise Management Associates' website. Follow them on social media platforms such as X and LinkedIn for updates and insights.

In a world where the shift from SD-WAN to SASE is becoming increasingly vital, this webinar presents an invaluable opportunity to learn from the experts and enhance your organization's networking strategy.