ISG to Assess Providers of Software-Defined Networking

Key Terms

software-defined networking technical

Software-defined networking is a way to control and manage computer networks using centralized software rather than relying on many individual hardware switches and routers. Think of it like replacing a room full of manual light switches with a single app that can rewire lighting patterns instantly. It matters to investors because it can cut costs, speed rollouts, improve security updates, and enable more flexible, scalable services that drive revenue and reduce capital spending.

sd-wan technical

SD‑WAN is a technology that uses software to control and direct wide-area network traffic between offices, data centers and cloud services instead of relying solely on traditional hardware routers. Think of it as a smart traffic manager that chooses the fastest, cheapest or safest route for each data flow, improving performance, cutting telecom costs and simplifying upgrades. Investors care because it can lower operating expenses, enable faster cloud adoption and create steady demand for networking and security services.

secure access service edge technical

A secure access service edge (SASE) is a cloud-based approach that combines network connectivity and security services into a single, managed platform so users and branch offices connect safely to applications no matter where they are. Think of it as a remote traffic-control center that both routes digital traffic and checks credentials and content as it passes; for investors, SASE matters because it influences demand for cloud security and networking providers and can change operating costs and competitive positions across many industries.

sase technical

SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, is a modern technology that combines network security and access management into a single, cloud-based service. It ensures that users can safely connect to company resources from anywhere, much like having a secure, virtual gatekeeper that protects digital information. For investors, SASE matters because it reflects how organizations are adopting advanced security measures to support flexible, remote work environments and protect valuable data.

security service edge technical

A security service edge is a cloud-delivered set of tools that acts like a digital security checkpoint for a company’s internet and cloud traffic, inspecting connections, blocking threats, and enforcing access rules regardless of where users or apps are located. For investors, it matters because adopting these services can reduce breach risk, simplify IT costs, and shift spending toward subscription-based security providers, affecting a company’s risk profile and recurring revenue streams.

private 5g technical

A private 5G network is a company-owned wireless system that uses 5G technology to give an organization its own fast, secure, and low-delay connection, like having a private highway for data instead of using a public road. Investors care because it can boost productivity, enable automation and new services, reduce risk from public networks, and create revenue or cost-saving opportunities for equipment makers, system integrators, and operators building or supporting these networks.

zero trust technical

Zero trust is a security approach that assumes no one, whether inside or outside an organization, should be automatically trusted. Instead, every access request is carefully verified before being granted, much like checking ID at every door rather than trusting someone just because they are known. For investors, it emphasizes the importance of protecting digital assets and data from potential breaches, reducing overall risk.

Upcoming ISG Provider Lens^® report will evaluate providers enabling secure, policy-based, AI-enabled enterprise networking across distributed environments

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm, has launched a research study examining providers of software-defined (SD) networking services and solutions that help enterprises modernize networks for distributed workforces, cloud adoption, edge deployments and AI-driven workloads.

The study results will be published in a series of comprehensive ISG Provider Lens^® reports, called Network — Software-Defined Solutions and Services, scheduled to be released in June 2026. The reports will cover companies offering managed SD-WAN services, edge technologies and services and secure access service edge (SASE).

Enterprise buyers will be able to use information from the reports to evaluate their current vendor relationships, potential new engagements and available offerings, while ISG advisors use the information to recommend providers to the firm’s buy-side clients.

Across industries, SD network architectures have become central to enterprise agility, resilience and security. These architectures increasingly incorporate automation and AI-enabled operations to improve performance, visibility and control across distributed environments. Fully managed SD networking solutions increasingly include virtualization, orchestration and cloud-delivered security. Organizations are seeking providers that can address evolving requirements across SD networking, edge and security domains.

“Enterprises are seamlessly extending SD networking from branch locations into edge and private 5G environments,” said Heiko Henkes, managing director at ISG. “Providers that can integrate SD-WAN with cloud-delivered security frameworks such as SASE and security service edge are becoming increasingly relevant.”

ISG has distributed surveys to approximately 200 SD networking providers. Working in collaboration with ISG’s global advisors, the research team will produce three quadrants representing SD networking solutions and services the typical enterprise is buying, based on ISG’s experience working with its clients. All the quadrants incorporate related consulting and advisory services. The three quadrants are:

• Managed SD-WAN Services, evaluating providers of managed SD-WAN solutions delivered as fully managed or co-managed as-a-service solutions. They are assessed on their capability to seamlessly implement new services and networks in commercial deployments.
• Edge Technologies and Services (Including Private 5G), assessing providers of cloud-managed edge platforms, localized processing and secure connectivity in industrial, branch and remote environments. Providers should have an overall understanding of the market, industry-specific knowledge and experience with deployed references.
• Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), covering providers delivering cloud-native, identity-driven security architectures that unify networking and security across users, devices and applications. Providers are assessed on unified policy models, low-latency security enforcement, zero trust alignment and integrated architectural approaches.

Geographically focused reports from the study will cover the global SD networking market and examine services and solutions available in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). ISG analysts Dr. Kenn Walters (U.S. and Germany) and Yash Jethani (U.K. and ANZ) will serve as authors of the reports.

A list of identified providers and vendors and further details on the study are available in this digital brochure. Companies not listed as SD networking solution and service providers can contact ISG and ask to be included in the study.

All 2026 ISG Provider Lens^® evaluations feature expanded customer experience (CX) data that measures actual enterprise experience with specific provider services and solutions, based on ISG’s continuous CX research.

About ISG Provider Lens^® Research

The ISG Provider Lens^® Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG’s global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG’s enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, Australia and Singapore/Malaysia, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this webpage.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data, in-depth knowledge of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,600 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260218146571/en/

Press Contacts:

Laura Hupprich, ISG

+1 203-517-3100

laura.hupprich@isg-one.com

Julianna Sheridan, Matter Communications for ISG

+1 978-518-4520

isg@matternow.com

Source: Information Services Group, Inc.