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Increasing Adoption of NetSecOps in Enterprises

According to the latest 2027 State of the Network study from VIAVI Solutions, there has been a notable rise in the adoption of NetSecOps, recording a 37% increase in organizations that have successfully integrated their network and security operations over the past year. This year marks the 18th edition of the annual report, which is critical for understanding trends and best practices related to network performance and security.

The study, carried out by Omdia, involved surveys with 750 networking and security professionals distributed across seven countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants included individuals from various organizational tiers, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the current landscape.

Key Findings of the Study

The survey reveals that the percentage of organizations that have fully converged their network and security operations jumped from 27% in 2025 to 37% in 2026. This means that more than four-fifths (about 82%) of enterprises have either transitioned to a NetSecOps framework or are currently in the process of doing so.

Interestingly, despite the overall positive trend, the report indicates that one in five enterprises still lacks a formal strategy for this critical transition. This poses a risk as organizations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Among the benefits reported by companies that have already made the shift, 44% cited enhanced security as a significant improvement. Furthermore, 30% mentioned a reduction in the time it takes to detect issues post-implementation, which highlights the operational efficiencies that come with a converged approach to network operations.

On the downside, the survey also shows that 22% of enterprises reported fewer incidents, and the same percentage noted a decrease in the time required to investigate security breaches. Companies with a successful NetSecOps implementation were found to be 2.7 times more likely to improve their mean-time-to-detect (MTTD) rates.

Expert Insights

Chris Labac, Vice President and General Manager of Network Performance and Threat Solutions at VIAVI, stated, “The increase in completed conversion and the benefits being cited are consistent with the experience of our customers.” He emphasized that aligning a converged NetSecOps model with integrated monitoring platforms is essential for today's enterprises due to the expanding attack surfaces and the evolving nature of cyber threats.

Jim Frey, Principal Analyst for Networking at the Enterprise Strategy Group, added, “As organizations face a growing array of threats, both conventional and AI-enabled, it is crucial for NetOps and SecOps teams to share visibility. This will strengthen their defensive systems.”

Testing and Improvement Strategies

The study also addressed the initiatives companies are employing to enhance their network's security and reliability. A prevalent strategy is structured testing prior to deploying new technologies such as AI security systems and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge). Notably, 52% of those who conducted such testing reported fewer service outages. Additionally, 44% noted a decline in the occurrence or severity of security incidents, while 42% experienced boosts in application performance or latency metrics.

What stands out is the multifaceted approach organizations are taking to counteract the potential negative impact of security measures on network performance. The report found that 65% of surveyed companies utilize AI and machine learning tools to balance security needs with performance. Furthermore, ongoing testing and updates of security controls are commonly employed by 58% of the respondents to ensure that network performance remains optimized despite enhanced security measures.

Conclusion

The 2027 State of the Network study paints a promising picture of the accelerating adoption of NetSecOps among enterprises. However, it also highlights a gap in planning and strategy for a significant portion of organizations. As cyber threats evolve and the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex, a proactive and integrated approach will be essential for businesses to safeguard their operations effectively. As emphasized by industry experts, shared visibility across network and security operations will be a cornerstone for securing today’s enterprises.

For more insights into the findings, you can access the full report by VIAVI Solutions.