Cato Networks Expands SASE Platform with IoT/OT Security Solution

Secure Access Server Edge (SASE) leader Cato Networks recently announced that it will expand its Cato SASE Cloud Platform with a new IoT/OT security solution.

Cato Networks brings new native capabilities to its platform

The Cato IoT/OT Security solution will be the fourth major platform expansion for Cato in 2024, coming on the heels of the releases of Cato DEM in October and Cato XDR and Cato EPP in January. It will be a native capability in the Cato SASE Cloud Platform, allowing enterprises to instantly activate the new solution with the click of a button.

Organizations will not need additional hardware or software to install or configure the solution.

The new Cato IoT/OT Security solution will feature the following capabilities:

• Device discovery and visibility: With this solution, organizations will be able to gain instant visibility beyond IT devices and into IoT and OT environments with no additional integration required. Purpose-built AI and ML capabilities identify IoT/OT devices and provide visibility into their characteristics, including their type, manufacturer, and version. This removes security blind spots and accelerates IoT/OT device identification.
• Policy enforcement: Enterprises will define and reinforce granular access policies with rules that can be established based on the characteristics of a specific IoT/OT device or based on grouping by type, manufacturer, and model for groups of devices. Controlling IoT/OT device access secures the enterprise network and reduces the attack surface.
• Threat prevention: The solution will also allow organizations to protect IoT/OT devices with Cato’s advanced threat prevention capabilities, including DNS Security, IPS, and NGAM. Providing protection and safeguards against known and unknown threats.

The new solution will be immediately available to all Cato customers globally.

Channel chief says solution targets partner needs

In a conversation with Channel Insider, Frank Rauch, Global Channel Chief at Cato Networks, said that the solution was developed to meet partner feedback and that feedback showed that partners desired an integrated platform.

“We listen to our partners, and some of the feedback we’re getting from partners is they weren’t really interested in taking this part of the market to best-of-breed and, quite honestly, they didn’t want a messy acquisition,” Rauch said. 

Ultimately, the goal was to increase value for partners and boost “stickiness” with customers while expanding market share. This new solution will help with simplicity and reduce operational costs for customers.

Looking forward, Cato Networks is focusing on platform-driven security features and the utilization of AI and machine learning. The company is working to ensure the partner program is being aligned to support new developments, with more announcements expected in the first quarter to appeal to various routes to market.

“We’re going down a platform-driven path that basically adds security features there. We’re also heavily relying on AI and machine learning to be able to make the security environment better,” said Rauch. “At the same time, we’re helping partners by giving them the most current enablement and we’re giving them the ability to set up professional services labs, do test drives, proof of concepts with customers, etc. We’re really looking at our partner program right now to be able to align all of this, and that’s what you’re going to see in the first quarter.”

Rauch emphasized that Cato Networks will continue to develop with a channel-first and partner-first mentality, giving partners and customers a competitive advantage.

“Cato Networks is the only SASE leader to build an IoT/OT security solution from the ground up and deliver it natively from a single, cloud-native platform,” said Shlomo Kramer, co-founder and CEO at Cato Networks. “Some SASE portfolio companies address IoT/OT security by repackaging acquired point solutions and requiring customers to handle complex deployment and integration. This approach increases costs, operational burden, and security gaps, which undermines the promise of simplification with a SASE platform. With Cato IoT/OT Security, we are making it easy for customers. There is no integration required. It just works.”

Earlier this year, Cato Networks announced its new platform designed for partners. Learn more about the platform promises a unified approach to SASE.