No Longer a Networking Science Project: The Maturing Microsegmentation Market

Microsegmentation, once considered a complex and niche security solution, is rapidly maturing into a mainstream enterprise defense strategy. The escalating sophistication of cyber threats and the increasing recognition of the benefits microsegmentation offers in terms of reduced attack surface, enhanced breach containment, lateral movement prevention, and improved overall security posture drove this evolution.

However, the path to widespread adoption is not without its challenges. Complex IT environments, skill shortages, and the need for significant upfront investments hinder the rapid uptake of microsegmentation. Vendors often face hurdles in educating the market about the technology’s value proposition and differentiating their offerings in a crowded marketplace. For some vendors, getting the market to understand that they can achieve microsegmented networks quickly, but also with low friction, is a challenge – the idea that adoption of a new network technology doesn’t have to be traumatic to the IT teams and the end users is something that most enterprises have never experienced, and have difficulty believing is possible.

For this research project, Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) surveyed 145 IT professionals, information security practitioners, and technology business leaders across all verticals to revisit and discover their attitudes and perspectives around microsegmentation solutions. The research also evaluated the capabilities of the solutions they are considering, as well as the barriers to adoption of microsegmentation solutions.