2026 Annual State of SASE and AI Report

This report documents the findings of the 2026 Annual State of SASE + AI Report, which examines the impact of complexity in enterprise networking and security environments. It highlights the concept of the 'complexity tax,' which refers to the operational costs and inefficiencies that arise from fragmented systems. Based on a survey of 525 senior IT and security decision-makers, the report outlines how organizations are experiencing increased operational costs, project delays, and security breaches due to poor coordination between teams. The report also emphasizes the role of AI in exacerbating these issues while simultaneously pushing organizations towards convergence as a strategic priority. Key statistics reveal that a significant percentage of organizations are facing challenges related to redundant tools, integration failures, and conflicting team priorities. The report concludes that addressing both technological and human factors is essential for overcoming the complexity tax and achieving a unified approach to networking and security.