Zscaler Cloud Security Overview

Zscaler Overview

As one of the leading cloud security platform providers, Zscaler has emerged as an essential component of modern cybersecurity strategies. The company offers its services through a global network of data centers and provides protection against various digital threats such as malware, phishing attacks, and other targeted risks. In this article, we'll explore the key aspects of Zscaler's offerings, including their Secure Web Gateway, Zscaler Web Filter, and Proxy service.

Secure Web Gateway

The core offering from Zscaler is their Secure Web Gateway (SWG), which operates as a cloud-based solution that secures access to internet resources while also blocking malicious content. It protects organizations by controlling and monitoring users' interactions with websites, applications, files, and emails. For example, if your company uses Office 365, Gmail, Salesforce, Dropbox, or any other SaaS application, the SWG can help you control and monitor user activity within these platforms.

One of the most significant advantages of using Zscaler's SWG is that it eliminates the need for traditional hardware appliances, making it easier to scale and implement across multiple locations with minimal effort. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that have remote employees or operate globally, as they don't need separate appliances in each office location. Instead, all traffic goes through Zscaler's global network, ensuring consistent security policies regardless of where users connect from.

Additionally, Zscaler's SWG includes advanced features like data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities, URL filtering, bandwidth management, and more. These features work together to provide comprehensive online security without requiring on-premises infrastructure maintenance.

Zscaler Web Filter

Another crucial aspect of Zscaler's offerings is their Web Filter product, which helps manage employee web usage and prevent unauthorized access to certain sites. Unlike traditional web filters that rely on local installations, Zscaler's web filtering system works remotely, allowing administrators to centrally manage and enforce policies across networks.

This technology supports a variety of web browsers — including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari — and integrates seamlessly into the end user's experience without affecting speed or functionality. The Zscaler Web Filter can block specific types of content, restrict access based on geographic location, and even track individual pages visited during a session.

For instance, if you want to enforce a policy preventing access to gambling websites, the Zscaler Web Filter would block all traffic to those sites, making it impossible for employees to view or access them even if they try using a VPN or other workarounds.

Proxy Service

Zscaler also offers a Proxy service that acts as an intermediary between your network and the internet, allowing you to control and secure web traffic. This service works by routing all web traffic through Zscaler's global network, where it is inspected for malicious content or other threats before being forwarded to the intended destination.

The proxy service provides the same benefits as Zscaler's SWG, including URL filtering, DLP, and bandwidth management. However, it offers additional features like application control, which enables admins to limit access to specific applications or restrict user access based on IP addresses or group policies.

For example, if you want to prevent users from accessing certain applications like Netflix or Spotify during work hours, the Zscaler Proxy Service would block those requests, ensuring that employees stay focused on their work-related tasks.

Conclusion

In summary, Zscaler's Secure Web Gateway, Zscaler Web Filter, and Proxy service are critical components of their cloud-based security platform. These services provide comprehensive protection against various cyber threats, eliminate the need for on-premises infrastructure, and can be centrally managed from anywhere in the world. By using Zscaler, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches, malware infections, and other malicious activity, ensuring a secure digital environment for their employees and customers.