The latest findings from Open Systems’ 2025 IT Infrastructure Report reveal that a significant shift is underway in IT spending trends among U.S. enterprises, especially in the areas of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and network transformation. Based on a survey conducted by Osterman Research, which polled 200 IT leaders in the U.S., the report dives deep into their priorities, challenges, and budgets concerning SASE. The data suggests a notable trend towards increased IT spending, with over 70% of enterprises planning to hike their IT budgets in 2025. This increased allocation of funds primarily focuses on addressing the pressing needs in networking and security tied to SASE. Despite facing barriers to SASE implementation such as infrastructure issues and a shortage of skilled staff, many organizations are still committed to advancing their SASE adoption strategies. The report clearly indicates that the propensity to outsource SASE management has gained traction, demonstrating an acknowledgment of the benefits of employing third-party services to overcome internal limitations.
Investment Priorities and Challenges
The survey conducted by Osterman Research reveals that approximately 43% of organizations currently managing SASE internally foresee a significant budget increase over the next year, compared to 31% of those managing it externally. This discrepancy highlights the growing inclination to outsource SASE management services as a means to tackle internal constraints. IT leaders emphasize several key factors when selecting a SASE service, including 24/7 customer support, technical integrations, service agility, and single-vendor solutions. Interestingly, organizations managing SASE internally place less importance on single-vendor solutions compared to those outsourcing the management, which reflects a differing set of priorities and strategic approaches. Despite the barriers such as infrastructure challenges and a shortage of skilled talent, enterprises are increasingly recognizing the critical need to invest in robust networking and security solutions. This reveals a broader acknowledgment among businesses that IT investments, particularly in SASE, are essential for maintaining operational integrity and competitive advantage in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
Stefan Keller, Chief Product Officer at Open Systems, underscores the importance of investing in IT, especially in networking and security, even during challenging economic times. His statement is a strong reminder that strategic resource allocation toward successful SASE implementation and management outsourcing can yield significant long-term benefits for organizations. Keller’s insights resonate with the broader sentiment reflected in the report, which highlights a clear move towards increased IT infrastructure and network security investments. The growing emphasis on outsourcing is seen as a pragmatic response to the barriers that many enterprises face, enabling them to leverage the expertise of specialized service providers and ensure seamless service continuity and agility.
SASE Adoption and Management Outsourcing
The latest findings from Open Systems’ 2025 IT Infrastructure Report indicate a major shift in IT spending trends among U.S. enterprises, particularly in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and network transformation. Osterman Research conducted the survey, polling 200 U.S. IT leaders to uncover their priorities, challenges, and budgets related to SASE. The data shows more than 70% of enterprises plan to boost their IT budgets in 2025. This increased funding focuses on urgent networking and security needs tied to SASE. Despite challenges like infrastructure problems and a lack of skilled staff, many organizations remain committed to advancing their SASE adoption. The report highlights that outsourcing SASE management has become more popular, showing an understanding of the advantages of using third-party services to address internal deficiencies. This shift underscores the crucial role that SASE is expected to play in future IT strategies, as companies aim to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of network security and performance.
