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WAN Transformation 2026: Best Practices for Evolving from SD-WAN to SASE

According to Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), SD-WAN has reached broad enterprise maturity, marking the conclusion of the first phase of WAN transformation.

Today, enterprises are now transitioning into the next phase, where the focus shifts from connectivity alone to layering advanced security, intelligence, and unified operations atop the existing SD-WAN foundation.

  •  Over 60% of enterprises plan to adopt SASE within the next 12 months
  • Nearly 90% of enterprises are merging or formalizing collaboration between network and security teams
  • Improved user experience is the top driver for SASE adoption

These shifts signal a clear move into the next phase of WAN transformation, where security and networking operate as a single, converged architecture.

What you’ll learn from this report

This research report outlines how enterprises are evolving from SD-WAN deployments toward high-performance SASE architectures.

  • How SD-WAN maturity is enabling the transition to SASE
  • Why enterprises are rejecting single-vendor SASE monopiles
  • Why are secure remote access and ZTNA the most common entry points for SASE
  • Why visibility and predictive intelligence are now critical WAN capabilities
  • How SASE is driving organization convergence 

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About EMA

Founded in 1996, Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) is a leading IT research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering actionable insights across the evolving technology landscape. Through independent research, market analysis, and vendor evaluations, we empower organizations to make well-informed technology decisions. Our team of analysts combines practical experience with a deep understanding of industry best practices and emerging vendor solutions to help clients achieve their strategic objectives. Learn more about EMA research, analysis, and consulting services at www.enterprisemanagement.com or follow EMA on X or LinkedIn.