Key Takeaways from the Gartner® 2025 Strategic Roadmap for Enterprise Networking

Key Takeaways from the Gartner® 2025 Strategic Roadmap for Enterprise Networking

AI, Automation, and Security Are Driving Network Transformation

Enterprise networking is rapidly evolving, and AI, automation, and cloud networking are at the forefront of this transformation. The Gartner® 2025 Strategic Roadmap for Enterprise Networking outlines the major trends shaping the future of network operations, emphasizing the growing role of AI-driven automation, NetDevOps, Zero Trust, and SASE.

For organizations seeking to stay ahead of these shifts, automation is no longer optional—it is a necessity. As Gartner predicts, “by 2027, generative AI (GenAI) will account for 25% of initial network configurations, up from less than 3% in 2024.” This highlights a major shift toward self-optimizing, intent-based networks that reduce human intervention and improve efficiency.

At Network to Code, we have long recognized the importance of automation and AI in networking. Having been acknowledged by Gartner in multiple reports, including the Hype Cycle for I&O Automation, Market Guide for Network Automation Platforms, and as a Cool Vendor in Enterprise Networking for five years, we see these trends as validation of the work being done to modernize network operations. Let’s dive into the key insights from the report and what they mean for enterprises.

1. AI and Automation Will Dominate Network Operations

One of the biggest takeaways from Gartner’s roadmap is the increasing adoption of AI in network automation. While network automation has been gaining traction for years, AI is set to accelerate the shift from manual operations to fully autonomous networking.

According to Gartner, nearly all network vendors will embed AI and GenAI capabilities into their management platforms by 2027. These AI-driven assistants will provide:

• Automated network configuration and troubleshooting
• Self-healing network capabilities
• Enhanced security and policy enforcement
• Dynamic optimization of network resources

For enterprises, these capabilities will translate into significant operational benefits in the near future. Expect AI to assist engineers in nearly every aspect of operations. Sites and devices will be operationalized more quickly because site topologies, configurations, and quality assurance testing will be performed and generated with minimal human intervention. Operational overhead will be reduced because less time will be spent on repetitive tasks, as they’ll be handled by self-managing AI systems. Network outage duration and frequency will be reduced through the minimization of human error and automated fault detection and resolution. Network performance improvements can also be expected as AI is able to make more thorough deductions at much larger scales that simply escape humans who have limited time to devote to performance improvements. NetDevOps methodologies will further enhance AI-driven automation, integrating CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to ensure seamless, validated changes.

2. Zero Trust and SASE Adoption Will Accelerate

With security threats growing more sophisticated, enterprises are shifting toward Zero Trust architectures and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) models. Gartner predicts that by 2027:

• 65% of new SD-WAN purchases will be part of a single-vendor SASE offering (up from 20% in 2024).
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) adoption will triple as security teams implement identity-based access controls.

SASE’s unification of networking and security is crucial for hybrid and cloud-first enterprises. Effectively implementing Zero Trust, with its need for granular microsegmentation and consistently enforced security policies, relies on network automation. Automation platforms execute workflows that apply and maintain these policies across the infrastructure, drawing on a Network Source of Truth (NSoT) for accurate and consistent configurations. This integration of security policies within the network automation fabric ensures consistent Zero Trust enforcement while maintaining agility.

3. Multicloud Networking Software (MCNS) Becomes the Standard

Cloud networking is evolving beyond traditional solutions. By 2027, 70% of enterprises will select a broader platform solution for multicloud networking (MCNS), up from just 10% in early 2024.

MCNS platforms provide:

• Consistent network policy enforcement across cloud providers
• Seamless connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments
• Automated scaling and resource optimization

This shift means enterprises must rethink their cloud networking strategies, ensuring that automation and intent-based networking are at the core of their operations by relying on automation to provide consistent network policy enforcement across cloud providers.

4. Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) Gains Traction

Gartner predicts that by 2028, 15% of all enterprises will adopt on-premises Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), up from less than 2% in 2023.

This adoption is being driven by:

• Cost-efficiency through subscription-based pricing
• On-demand scalability for changing business needs
• Reduced complexity in network management

NaaS allows organizations to consume networking resources as a fully managed service, shifting CAPEX-heavy investments to more flexible OPEX models.

5. Sustainability Will Influence Network Investments

As energy costs rise and sustainability regulations increase, enterprises are prioritizing power-efficient networking infrastructure. The report highlights that organizations will adopt:

• Energy-efficient Ethernet (802.3az) and intelligent PoE to reduce power consumption.
• Circular economy mandates, requiring recycled or refurbished hardware components.
• AI-powered energy management to optimize network resource utilization.

This shift aligns with broader enterprise ESG goals, ensuring that networking decisions contribute to sustainability efforts. A well-maintained Network Source of Truth (NSoT) can play a crucial role by tracking the inventory of network devices, including their power consumption and the percentage of recycled or refurbished components. This centralized data allows organizations to monitor their progress toward sustainability goals and make informed procurement decisions.