Cato Networks

Who is Cato Networks?

Cato Networks pioneered the convergence of networking and security into the cloud. Aligned with Gartner’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) framework, Cato’s vision is to deliver a next-generation secure networking architecture that eliminates the complexity, costs, and risks associated with legacy IT approaches based on disjointed point solutions. With Cato, organisations securely and optimally connect any user to any application anywhere on the globe. Our cloud-first architecture enables Cato to rapidly deploy new capabilities and maintain optimum security posture, without any effort from the IT teams. With Cato, your IT organisation and your business are ready for whatever comes next. 

What solutions does Cato offer? 

Cato Networks offers different solutions that can be split in two major categories. 

The first one is SASE. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is an enterprise networking and security category introduced by Gartner. SASE converges SD-WAN and Security Service Edge (SSE) functions, including FWaaS, CASB, DLP, SWG, and ZTNA, into a unified, cloud-native service. In Short, SASE is the combination of both the SD-WAN component and the SSE component. 

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a new enterprise networking technology category introduced by Gartner in 2019. SASE converges the functions of network and security point solutions into a unified, global cloud-native service. It is an architectural transformation of enterprise networking and security that enables IT to provide a holistic, agile and adaptable service to the digital business. What makes SASE unique is its transformational impact across multiple IT domains. 

The second major category is what I call Security Service Edge or in short, SSE. SSE provides secure access to internet- and cloud-based applications without directly addressing global application access optimisation and east-west WAN traffic security. Extended visibility and control to all traffic is a key feature in competing SSE architectures. 

What is ZTNA?

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a new approach for securing remote access to business applications both on-premises and in the cloud. ZTNA is an integral part of Gartner’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) frameworks. 

Unlike cloud-native ZTNA, traditional VPNs are poorly suited for the shift to the cloud and to the increase in work-from-home users. VPNs rely on appliances, such as firewalls or VPN concentrators, forcing remote users’ traffic to specific physical locations. This architecture adds latency and creates capacity constraints. Once connected through a VPN, users are trusted with access to all resources on the network, increasing the risk of malware propagation and data breach. And, to reach the VPN gateways, users must rely on the unpredictable.