🎯Basically, many network segmentation projects fail in similar ways, and knowing this can help teams succeed.
What Happened
A recent survey of 400 U.S.-based network security practitioners revealed that many enterprise networks have struggled with network segmentation projects. Despite being on the roadmap for years, these projects often fail, clustering into four predictable patterns. The research, conducted in early 2026, utilized latent class analysis to identify the common factors contributing to these failures.
Failure Archetypes
The survey identified four distinct archetypes of failure:
- Perfect Storm (50.2% of respondents): This archetype experiences simultaneous IT project management issues and technical challenges. Factors such as unclear goals, weak leadership, and complex environments contribute to failure.
- Diffuse Friction (33.5%): In this case, projects do not fail due to a single issue. Instead, moderate friction accumulates across various organizational and technical dimensions until the project stalls.
- Operational Drag (8.5%): Here, projects have adequate leadership and goals but fail due to the burden of maintaining segmentation policies and fears of application outages.
- Scope and Visibility Trap (7.8%): This archetype is characterized by scope creep and insufficient asset visibility, leading to unrealistic timelines and reluctance to disrupt production systems.
What You Should Know
The findings indicate that the type of network environment significantly influences the likelihood of encountering certain failure types. For instance, projects involving campus networks or Layer-2 macro-segmentation are more prone to severe failure patterns. The survey also revealed a disconnect between diagnosing issues and proposing remedies. When asked what changes they would make, approximately 70% of respondents suggested general IT project management fixes, regardless of their specific failure type.
Recommendations for Practitioners
Understanding these failure archetypes can help teams better diagnose their situations before projects fail. For example, teams planning campus segmentation with Layer-2 macro-segmentation should invest in asset discovery and environmental scoping to mitigate risks. Additionally, those experiencing policy maintenance burdens should consider investing in policy automation and discussing acceptable disruption risks with stakeholders. By addressing these issues early on, organizations can improve their chances of successful network segmentation projects.
🔒 Pro insight: The failure patterns identified highlight the critical need for robust project governance in network segmentation initiatives.
