California-based Zscaler has extended its zero-trust platform to enable secure cellular communications for IoT and OT with just a SIM card, no VPN or software.

The cloud security company has extended the AI-powered Zero Trust Exchange platform with the launch of Zscaler Cellular. This easy-to-install innovation enables zero-trust communication for IoT and OT devices using only a cellular SIM card, eliminating the need for additional software or ineffective VPN connections.

Zscaler Cellular delivers resilient connectivity by ensuring IoT and OT devices automatically connect to any cellular network globally, while providing a zero attack surface by isolating each device on its own private island, with all connections securely routed through the Zscaler platform.

“Zscaler pioneered zero-trust architecture, first with the introduction of Zero Trust for Users, then with Zero Trust for Cloud, followed by Zero Trust for Branch,” said Nathan Howe, group vice president at Zscaler. “With the introduction of Zscaler Cellular, we have extended the power of the Zero Trust Exchange to IoT and OT devices with an easy install-and-go SIM card that securely connects to any cellular network. This innovation provides customers with resilient connectivity, isolates each device to remove the attack surface, and ensures all inbound and outbound connections are protected through the Zero Trust Exchange.”

As enterprises rapidly deploy IoT and OT devices across diverse environments, traditional firewall and VPN-based security models fail to meet the demands of today’s mobile and distributed organisations, leaving devices exposed to cyber threats. Legacy approaches rely on costly infrastructure that cannot scale and cellular networks by themselves aren’t designed to enforce zero-trust principles resulting in security blind spots and expanding attack surfaces.

“Zscaler Cellular solved our long-standing challenge: how to effectively secure the IoT and mobile devices that we deploy at clients’ and customers’ properties,” said Brian Shelby, director at Maverick Transportation (www.maverickusa.com). “We need to operate these tablets, time-tracking devices and more on sites where we have no control over the networking options provided or the operating environment, and without adding software agents or using remote access VPNs. This allowed us to create device-bound authentication through Zscaler. This became our test case, and after equipping kiosks with Zscaler Cellular, our zero-trust policies are enforced through the Zscaler Cellular Edge. The lines are gone, the employee experience is better, our business is still protected, and we don’t need a software agent or VPN on the device.”

Zscaler (www.zscaler.com) partners with telecommunications companies to bring zero-trust security to cellular-connected devices. By leveraging the Zero Trust Exchange with telecoms infrastructure, Zscaler Cellular delivers secure, scalable and seamless connectivity for IoT and OT devices. Through Zscaler Cellular and Zscaler Cellular Edge, and collaborations with providers such as NTT, enterprises gain managed security services that address the difficulties of securing distributed, cellular-connected environments. These partnerships ensure organisations can extend zero-trust principles across global cellular networks, reducing risks and enabling secure digital transformation at scale.

“Zscaler Cellular represents a significant advancement in IoT and mobile security,” said Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research (zkresearch.com). “By leveraging zero trust with cellular networks, Zscaler helps eliminate longstanding visibility and control gaps that have plagued enterprises for years. It’s the first I’ve seen that brings cloud-scale security to every connected device, with the simplicity of activating a SIM.”

Zscaler Cellular will be available globally from next month. It is already in use by organisations including Sandvik and Maverick Transportation, with additional customers to be announced. Read the blog by Maverick Transportation at www.zscaler.com/blogs/customer-stories/maverick-transportation-puts-zero-trust-cellular-high-gear.