In part one of this series, we explored why Networking as a Service (NaaS) is more than just a buzzword. We looked at how it can transform agility, simplify network management, improve cost control, embed security, centralise visibility, enhance user experience, and reduce vendor lock-in. We also explored core outcomes of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and how it combines NaaS with integrated, cloud-delivered security. The verdict was clear: for many organisations, modernising networking is not just about a technology refresh, it’s a strategic enabler for modern business. That modernisation is achieved through SASE-aligned architectures, where networking and security converge as a single cloud service model.
Understanding what NaaS can really do is only half the story. The real challenge lies in knowing if your organisation is ready to take the leap. And then, to approach adoption in a way that delivers those promised benefits while positioning your organisation for a SASE-based future. That’s what we’ll focus on here: the readiness signals to look for, how to make a compelling business case, the barriers you may face, and how the landscape could evolve in coming years.
The signs you’re ready for NaaS
If every network upgrade triggers months of procurement headaches and a six-figure bill, you’re not just maintaining infrastructure, you’re stuck in a cycle that drains resources and momentum. This is often the first signal that your organisation could benefit from a SASE-aligned service approach.
The NaaS and SASE model breaks this pattern by keeping your network “always current,” eliminating the stop-start rhythm of periodic overhauls. It also frees your best engineers from low-value work; instead of spending their days renewing licences, configuring routers, and firefighting outages, those routine tasks are handled by the provider, allowing your team to focus on strategic, high-impact projects.
A rigid network can quietly throttle your organisation’s growth. Whether you’re enabling hybrid working, adopting a multi-cloud strategy, or integrating with third-party systems, inflexible infrastructure slows progress and increases risk.
NaaS is built for agility, making it easier to adapt to new demands without costly delays. When underpinned by SASE, that agility includes secure, identity-driven access that scales globally. And when leadership expects you to deliver “better, faster, cheaper” without expanding the headcount, it helps square the circle - boosting performance, security, and scalability without the need for additional hires.
Building the Naas and SASE business case
Even the strongest business case for a new technology solution will encounter resistance. For many leaders, the default instinct is to renew an existing contract, often at inflated rates, rather than “risking” a change in direction. Others cling to misconceptions that adopting NaaS will increase vendor lock-in, when in reality, a well-designed service built on open standards and modular integrations can do the opposite. To further strengthen your position, you include SASE which ensures connectivity and security are managed together. This can provide the operational clarity and accountability that will reassure leaders who may be hesitant.
The practical route forward starts with proving the model in your environment. Low-risk pilot projects are a powerful way to demonstrate value while easing fears about disruption. Engaging finance teams early is equally important, as the shift from CapEx to OpEx can trigger different budgeting considerations and decision-making processes. Above all, benefits should be communicated in plain, business-relevant language that makes the strategic upside of NaaS and SASE-aligned service delivery impossible to ignore.
Boardrooms don’t buy “technology” they buy outcomes. If you position the case to adopt NaaS internally, focus the conversation on agility, cost-efficiency, risk reduction, and customer experience, rather than the technical intricacies. Framing it as part of a broader SASE evolution helps leadership see the long-term strategic value, not just the network refresh. Hard comparisons make the message resonate: if it currently takes six months to bring a new site online, explain how it could reduce that to 20 minutes via self-service provisioning. Just as crucially, highlight that modern networking provides full visibility and governance without the operational burden, giving your organisation control over the network without requiring your team to manually manage every cable, switch, and firewall.
Where NaaS is heading
If you think NaaS is disruptive now, the next few years will be even more transformative. Expect AI and machine learning to deliver self-healing, predictive networks that can detect and resolve issues before users even notice. And as SASE matures, these AI-driven insights will span both networking and security layers - creating intelligent, self-optimising service edges.
Networking will become more composable, blending seamlessly with security, observability, and automation in unified “as-a-service” stacks that can be deployed in minutes. Industry-specific platforms will emerge, tailored for sectors like healthcare, policing, or pharmaceuticals; enabling secure, trusted collaboration within tightly regulated environments.
This composable model is core to SASE’s evolution - integrating NaaS, zero trust, and edge security into a single, policy-driven service. As adoption grows, SASE - with NaaS as its connective layer - will emerge as a core pillar of enterprise IT.
The strategic imperative for Naas and SASE
NaaS isn’t just about faster provisioning or lower costs nor is it simply replacing one set of network cables with another - it’s about rethinking the role of the network in your business.
It turns the network from a static, capital-bound liability into a living, adaptable service that aligns directly with business priorities, evolving as quickly as your strategy demands. The question isn’t whether NaaS or SASE will play a role in the enterprise, it’s whether your organisation will be ready to seize its potential. The businesses preparing now for a SASE-based future - where NaaS principles are embedded into secure, service-based networking, will be the ones ready to move faster and scale smarter.
Innovative organisations know when to shed legacy thinking and embrace models designed for speed, flexibility, and resilience. If your refresh cycles are draining your budget, your IT team is fighting fires, and your network is holding back your strategy, then it is time to evolve. Align your organisation with a unified, SASE-driven model, where networking and security are delivered as one.
