Zscaler unveils advanced AI Data Protection Platform innovations

Zscaler has announced an array of innovations for its AI Data Protection Platform. In response to a startling growth in enterprise AI/ML transactions, the company has sharpened its services to offer even more comprehensive security for both structured and unstructured data in motion, at rest and in use.

The increasing enterprise reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), rising by nearly 600% from April 2023 to January 2024, has created a consequent surge in security risks, according to the 2024 ThreatLabz AI report. The study also revealed the US as the forerunner in AI/ML transactions at 40.9%, followed by APAC. Within the Asia-Pacific region, India dominates with 48.3% of transactions, whilst Australia contributes 10%.

Concerningly, the multiplication of AI transactions has escalated the need to protect sensitive data. Moinul Khan, Vice President and General Manager of Data Protection at Zscaler, outlines the importance of this issue, stating, "There is an immediate and critical need for a consolidated approach to data protection that can secure all types of data in all locations, while streamlining security operations." Khan further emphasised the essential concept of visibility in data protection, promoting Zscaler's updated AI Data Protection Platform as a solution.

Refreshments to Zscaler's AI Data Protection Platform include new Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), inline email protection, and Gen-AI security advancements. These improvements preserve data in transit and at rest across all potential channels of data loss. Integrated within these enhancements, Zscaler leverages the power of AI and automation to increase visibility into sensitive data everywhere, provide insightful context, and deliver closed-loop workflow automation.

The Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), a key innovation in the updates, identifies, classifies, and safeguards sensitive data in public clouds such as AWS and Microsoft Azure. Alongside this, there are significant advances in GenAI App Security, accompanied by reliable context-rich user and risk correlation. This function provides insightful analysis of risky prompts and AI app usage and introduces detailed policy controls.

Zscaler's updated AI Data Protection Platform now also offers real-time Email DLP to secure sensitive data across corporate email channels, routinely a problematic insider threat vector. In addition, the platform enhancements consolidate Unified SaaS Security by integrating traditionally standalone technologies. This integration delivers highly accurate correlation and powerful insights for SaaS data and enables proactive risk management and mitigation.

On the Australian front, Eric Swift, Area Vice President, Australia and New Zealand at Zscaler, highlights the importance of safe technology as a key principle in the Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030. He believes the innovations to Zscaler's data protection solution portfolio will address this critical need, facilitating clients' innovation and building digital solutions without compromising on data security.

These latest developments will aid organisations around the globe to strengthen their security postures, offering increased visibility into sensitive data while empowering them to better defend their data from threats and enhance their time to recovery from incidents.