Organizations expand use of managed networks for reliable performance and security across hybrid mobile and cloud environments, ISG Provider Lens® report says.
STAMFORD, Conn.- U.S. enterprises are rapidly adopting managed network services as network complexity, security exposure and regulatory pressure make advanced network capabilities essential for business continuity and growth, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm.
Network underlay and overlay operations have become a strategic concern. U.S. enterprises recognize that resilient, agile, secure and scalable networks are fundamental to proactively supporting AI adoption and keeping pace with business demands.
The 2025 ISG Provider Lens Enterprise Managed Network Services report for the U.S. finds that companies increasingly require coordinated management of underlay networks, cloud connectivity, software-defined networking and security functions. This trend reflects the rapid expansion of hybrid IT environments, distributed work modes and connected devices, which has strained internal network teams. Enterprises increasingly seek centralized visibility, consistent performance and predictable operations across core, cloud and edge environments.
“Network underlay and overlay operations have become a strategic concern rather than a background IT function,” said Leon Platts, partner and president, ISG Network and Software. “U.S. enterprises recognize that resilient, agile, secure and scalable networks are fundamental to proactively supporting AI adoption and keeping pace with business demands.”
U.S. enterprises are prioritizing integrated management of network environments that span fixed, mobile, wireless and cloud architectures, the report says. They face challenges maintaining performance and reliability as applications and users spread out across locations. Centralized orchestration and monitoring help companies reduce outages and improve service consistency. These capabilities are increasingly important for organizations operating complex hybrid and multicloud environments.
Security and regulatory compliance are driving adoption of advanced network security architectures, ISG says. Enterprises are implementing secure access approaches such as secure access service edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) to protect users, data and applications outside traditional perimeters. These architectures address risks posed by remote work, increasing cloud use and IoT expansion. Regulatory requirements related to healthcare, consumer privacy and data protection heighten the urgency for stronger, integrated controls.
Enterprises are also adopting AI-assisted network operations to manage scale and complexity, the report says. Automation and analytics improve incident detection, performance optimization and response times. These tools reduce reliance on manual processes that cannot keep pace with growing network demands. AI-enabled operations support more predictable performance while lowering operational risk.
“Enterprises are balancing agility, cost control and resilience as networks evolve,” said Kenn Walters, lead author of the report. “Managed services help organizations address skill gaps while maintaining consistent network performance.”
