Zscaler launches Zero Trust Segmentation for Aussie firms

Australian businesses have become a significant target for ransomware attacks as cyber threats grow more sophisticated.

Zscaler has unveiled its Zero Trust Segmentation solution, which enhances digital security and reduces the cost of connecting users, devices, and workloads. The solution targets networks across branches, factories, campuses, data centres, and public clouds.

According to the Zscaler ThreatLabz team, Australia ranks seventh globally in terms of ransomware attack frequency, comprising approximately 2% of these global incidents. This alarming trend has highlighted the need for advanced measures to protect increasingly digitalised businesses.

The emergence of IoT devices and operational technology (OT) systems presents additional security challenges, particularly in branch offices and factories. Security teams find themselves pressed to defend these environments from complex cyber assaults.

The newly introduced Zero Trust Segmentation by Zscaler addresses the limitations of traditional network models, such as SD-WAN and VPNs, which have facilitated the spread of ransomware. By eliminating firewalls and legacy infrastructure, the solution promises to simplify network environments while enhancing security.

Dhawal Sharma, Executive Vice President of Product Management at Zscaler, said, "Traditional network and security architectures enable the spread of ransomware. Using firewalls to segment business networks is extremely complex, turning into a never-ending initiative for many organisations. Integrating advanced technology from the recent AirGap acquisition, Zscaler Zero Trust Segmentation now offers the most advanced, robust protection against ransomware attacks, which can be implemented in days. Additionally, it delivers up to 50% cost savings by eliminating the need for legacy firewalls and complex infrastructures."

Zscaler's approach involves treating every branch, factory, and public cloud as separate entities that directly connect through the Zscaler cloud security platform. This model aims to significantly reduce vulnerability to lateral ransomware attacks and trim reliance on traditional connectivity solutions.

Brian Morris, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Gray Television, highlighted the solution's efficacy: "As OT devices are becoming increasingly common in our environment, ensuring their security is a top priority. Zscaler Zero Trust Branch has been nothing short of transformative. It has not only helped us reduce network costs but has significantly reduced cyber risk and helped accelerate M&A integration."

In modern multi-cloud setups, the reliance on firewalls raises business risks by creating potential vulnerabilities and inconsistent protections. Zscaler's Zero Trust Segmentation aims to harmonise security across digital environments, enhancing efficiency and resilience.

Shanker Ramrakhiani, CISO at IIFL, noted the benefits of using Zscaler for cloud security: "Cloud is a critical component of our infrastructure, and we depend on Zscaler's Zero Trust architecture to secure our cloud workloads. Zscaler's Zero Trust Cloud has empowered us to enforce consistent security across our data centres and multiple clouds, simplifying operations and significantly reducing the risk of lateral threat movement."

Eric Swift, Vice President and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Zscaler, commented on the critical nature of the solution for enterprises. "Our new Zero Trust Segmentation solution represents a significant leap forward in how enterprises can protect their distributed networks and workloads. By eliminating the need for outdated and complex infrastructure, we're empowering organisations to not only simplify their security architecture but also prevent the spread of ransomware and other advanced threats," Swift remarked.

"This isn't just a security solution - it's a holistic approach for businesses facing persistent and advanced threats. Zscaler ThreatLabz studies show that Australia was the most impacted by ransomware attacks amongst APAC markets, underscoring the growing urgency for organisations to adopt next-generation security measures."

Support for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is expected to be introduced in February 2025, expanding the reach of Zscaler's Zero Trust Segmentation capabilities.