Open Systems DACH Survey Reveals the New Reality: Why Modern Security Needs a Modern Network Foundation

Zurich, Switzerland, 29 January 2026 - A new survey of 206 IT and security leaders across the DACH region reveals a decisive shift: enterprises are accelerating Zero Trust and SASE adoption, but most still rely on network foundations that were never built for hybrid work or cloud infrastructure.

The result is a widening operational strain: Teams must secure remote workers, cloud applications, branches, and on-prem systems all at once - and 41% say policy sprawl is now their biggest obstacle. Integration gaps (34 %), inconsistent user experience (34%), and rising complexity define daily operations.

Meanwhile, security transformation is moving ahead at full speed. Regulatory pressure from NIS2, DORA, etc., all while preserving data privacy and GDPR - is pushing organizations to modernize access and visibility. Seven in ten have already moved beyond VPN-only models, yet only 12% report a fully integrated Zero Trust architecture.

The biggest surprise: Only 16% have deployed SD-WAN, leaving most SASE initiatives running on legacy network designs.

“Enterprises want the benefits of Zero Trust and SASE, but many are trying to run modern security on yesterday’s network,” said Stefan Keller, Chief Product Manager at Open Systems. “To get performance, visibility, and consistency, the network and security architecture must evolve together.”

The survey shows that organizations know they cannot solve this alone. 58% prefer a co-managed SASE model, combining internal control with 24×7 expert operations. AI expectations are equally pragmatic: nearly half want help with monitoring, anomaly detection, and ticket automation - not hype, but real operational gains.

In manufacturing, priorities shift from theory to uptime. 63% of OT leaders say protecting critical machines is their top priority for 2026, with continuous monitoring and supplier/operator access controls close behind.

“Customers want clarity, transparency, and a partner who operates alongside them, day and night,” added Stefan Keller. “A co-managed model that unifies network and security operations is exactly what the market is asking for.”

The message from the data is unmistakable: Enterprises are ready for Zero Trust, ready for SASE - and now need the network foundation that makes it all work.

Discover how Open Systems delivers co-managed SASE and Zero Trust as a holistic transformation - aligning network and security architecture to improve performance, simplify operations, and maximize ROI with transparent 24×7 support: Request Demo.

About Open Systems:

Open Systems is an AI-first SASE platform company delivering secure access and networking to help enterprises connect users, applications and infrastructure across complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Its proprietary platform combines SSE capabilities, including ZTNA, SWG, CASB and FWaaS, with SD-WAN, end-to-end connectivity, unified policy management, and advanced analytics in a single architecture.

While many cybersecurity providers focus primarily on advancing technology capabilities, Open Systems combines its AI-first SASE platform with an execution model designed for real-world operability, ensuring services are not only deployed, but continuously run, adapted and improved through a combination of AI-enabled operations and NOC-based expertise (Mission Control), built on decades of operational experience, helping organizations reduce complexity, increase visibility and strengthen security outcomes at global scale.

Founded in Switzerland in 1990, Open Systems generates more than USD 100 million in annual revenue and supports global enterprise customers operating in more than 180 countries. Since 2024, the company has been part of Swiss Post, combining Swiss trust and stability with global reach. As a European alternative to US- and Israel-based cybersecurity providers, Open Systems is guided by strong principles around sovereignty requirements, regulatory alignment, transparency and shared responsibility - taking clear ownership for security, performance and operational outcomes, helping organizations maintain control in an increasingly complex digital landscape.