This study examines the results of the Next-Generation Security Platforms: The Rise of the Network study, a survey of network and security functionality consolidation. This executive summary reviews the high-level results of the study and provides analysis of those results. The quantitative survey was conducted with 411 respondents with either network or security (or both) responsibility in their organizations. The respondents provided insight into the types of equipment they have currently and the types of equipment they will deploy in the future. They spoke candidly about the relationship between the network and security groups in their organizations.

This survey looked at North American companies with more than 100 employees. It answered the following questions:

• In This Study
  • Methodology
    • Demographics
• Situation Overview
  • Introduction
  • Survey Findings
    • Buying Behavior
    • Figure: Buying Behavior by IT Organizational Structure
    • Growing the Decision-Making Team
    • To Consolidate or Not
    • Figure: Reasons for Consolidation or Separation of Network and Security Functions
    • You Want It Where?
    • Security's Rise to Power Brings Tension to the Organization
  • Analysis
• Future Outlook
  • Impact
• Essential Guidance
  • Actions to Consider
    • Networking Vendors
    • Security Vendors
    • Server Vendors
    • Services Vendors
• Learn More
  • Related Research
  • Synopsis