Zscaler Inc. has recently unveiled its updated Zero Trust Segmentation solutions, focusing on enhanced security, reduced complexity, and cost savings for organizations with dispersed infrastructures. Traditional security methods in remote and hybrid locations have often proved cumbersome and financially taxing. Zscaler’s solution aims to tackle this complexity by leveraging a cloud-based, zero-trust policy system that restricts devices to only communicate with others as per the permissions granted, consequently minimizing the risk of substantial breaches. This approach represents a significant shift from legacy systems, offering a streamlined, cost-effective method to maintain robust security across widely dispersed networks, including branch offices, factories, data centers, and cloud environments.
Introduction to Zero Trust Segmentation
Zscaler’s latest update to its Zero Trust Segmentation focuses on the concept of segmentation within distributed environments. Traditionally, such setups required onsite appliances and significant manual oversight, making comprehensive security a complex and expensive endeavor. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats has rendered existing methods less effective, as seen in noteworthy breaches like the Target incident, where malware infiltrated via an HVAC system and propagated laterally, leading to a significant data breach.
Zero Trust Segmentation embodies the “never trust, always verify” principle, ensuring each segment, whether a branch, factory, or cloud instance, operates as an isolated “virtual island.” This segmentation communicates with Zscaler’s cloud-based platform, which enforces tailored security policies, effectively reducing reliance on firewalls and other on-premises security appliances. The approach aims at mitigating lateral threats and simplifying network security management. By transforming the security model from a reactive to a proactive stance, Zscaler ensures that even if one segment is compromised, the impact is contained and does not spread throughout the network.
Advantages Over Traditional Methods
The traditional use of internal firewalls to control access between zones, though viable, has been limited to mission-critical environments due to its prohibitive cost and complexity. Zscaler’s cloud-centric approach vastly simplifies this process by allowing policy updates to be propagated quickly and seamlessly across the network. The policies being cloud-based ensure that, even if a device moves, its security policies follow it, negating the need for administrators to constantly update configurations. This flexibility is crucial in today’s dynamic operational landscapes where devices and users frequently change locations, demanding an adaptable security framework.
One of the notable advantages of Zscaler’s solution is the improved security via a zero-trust architecture. By substituting traditional corporate network extensions with cloud-managed systems, each location adopts its own secure segment connected to Zscaler’s platform via local broadband. This paradigm demonstrates significant cost reductions, up to 50% compared to legacy systems, by eliminating the need for firewalls, virtual private networks, and extensive hardware. For industries dependent on operational technology and IoT devices, such as manufacturing, Zscaler’s system also secures legacy devices, which are often vulnerable due to outdated software. This comprehensive approach ensures that even older and potentially insecure devices are protected under the new security policies.
Support for Multicloud and Hybrid Environments
Besides securing remote and hybrid locations, Zscaler also addresses multicloud and hybrid models. Security management across different cloud services can be complicated due to varied configurations. Zscaler’s solution standardizes these protocols, ensuring consistent security policies across data centers and cloud environments like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, with Google Cloud Platform integration anticipated. This interoperability is a significant advantage, as it allows organizations to manage security seamlessly across multiple platforms without having to tailor policies for each specific environment.
Notably, Zscaler claims its solution can be deployed within days, ensuring a rapid transition from traditional models. This swift deployment is matched by the capability to scale in line with organizational needs, maintaining robust security without necessitating additional hardware. The ability to quickly implement and scale the solution provides businesses with the agility to respond to changing security demands and threats efficiently. This rapid deployment minimizes downtime and ensures that organizations can maintain continual protection during the transition phase.
Industry Use Cases and Implications
Traditional internal firewalls have been used to control access between network zones, but their complexity and high cost have limited their deployment to mission-critical environments. Zscaler offers a cloud-based approach that simplifies this process, allowing policies to be updated quickly and seamlessly across the network. This ensures that security policies follow a device regardless of its location, eliminating the need for administrators to constantly reconfigure settings. This flexibility is vital today, as devices and users frequently change locations, requiring a dynamic security framework.
A key advantage of Zscaler’s solution is enhanced security through a zero-trust architecture. By replacing traditional corporate network extensions with cloud-managed systems, each location maintains its own secure segment connected to Zscaler’s platform via local broadband. This model can reduce costs by up to 50% compared to legacy systems by eliminating the need for firewalls, VPNs, and extensive hardware. For industries reliant on operational technology and IoT devices, such as manufacturing, Zscaler’s system also secures legacy devices often vulnerable due to outdated software, ensuring comprehensive protection.
