Network outages are no longer just an IT problem. They are a direct threat to revenue, operations and customer experience, according to new research from Zen Internet, that also shows IT complexity slows digital transformation.

Almost four in five (78%) technology leaders say technology complexity is slowing change, with multiple vendors, platforms and contracts significantly or extremely slowing down change in their IT environment, making transformation harder to deliver.

More than half (51%) of UK technology leaders say network resilience is business critical, and outages would have a significant impact on revenue, operations or customers.

94% of respondents said network resilience is important to their organisation’s success.

The findings highlight why technologies such as SD-WAN are becoming increasingly important for organisations looking to modernise their networks. They also suggest network resilience is increasingly a leadership issue rather than simply an IT concern, with respondents linking outages to revenue, customer experience and operational performance.

Despite recognising the importance of resilient networks, many organisations are struggling to make progress. Almost half (49%) of technology leaders say the biggest barrier preventing longer-term technology decisions is a lack of buy-in from leadership outside IT.

Despite these challenges, organisations still intend to invest. More than a third (36%) say network modernisation and connectivity will be among their biggest technology investments over the next three years. However, the findings show why many are struggling to make that progress:

47% say multiple suppliers delay projects and complicate change

31% say they consistently slow or block change

Jon Nowell, Managing Director of Zen Business, said:

“Businesses no longer question whether resilient networks matter. Outages and cyber threats directly threaten revenue, yet most organisations are still battling complex technology environments that slow progress. SD-WAN, combined with a SASE approach to networking and security, offers a way to simplify connectivity, strengthen protection, improve resilience and support future digital transformation.

"Too many organisations are spending valuable time managing multiple suppliers, disconnected systems and separate security solutions when they should be focused on innovation and delivering value to customers. The challenge isn't simply keeping businesses connected. It's giving them the confidence that their network can support growth, cloud adoption, AI initiatives and new ways of working, while ensuring users, applications and data remain secure without adding more complexity.

“Organisations don't need more technology to manage, they need technology that reduces complexity. A fully managed Zen SD-WAN service with integrated security and a clear path to SASE helps create a resilient network that's easier to operate today and ready for tomorrow."

More information can be found at https://business.zen.co.uk/sd-wan or https://business.zen.co.uk

Methodology:

The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample size of 500 UK-based senior technology decision-makers (Director level and above) who have influence over technology investment and operating model decisions. Company size: mid-market and above (c. £10m+ revenue +, 50+ employees) (Aged 29+). The data was collected between 30.04.26 – 07.05.26. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

About Zen:

Zen is a people-first technology partner with 30 years of experience supporting businesses across the UK. We deliver connectivity, networking, voice, cloud, security and hosting services, brought together in a way that’s practical, reliable and built for the long term. As a B Corp certified business and a Which? Recommended provider, Zen is trusted by organisations looking for a capable partner that does the right thing – for their business, their people and the planet.

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