In the constantly shifting terrain of cybersecurity, one term is surfacing more frequently: what is Zscaler? As businesses continue transitioning to cloud-first strategies, the need to protect data across globally distributed networks has never been greater. Zscaler, a name synonymous with secure digital transformation, is rising to the challenge.
In this blog post, we’ll strip away the jargon, share vivid real-world applications, and guide you through everything there is to know about Zscaler. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll not only understand what Zscaler is—you’ll know why it might be one of the smartest tools in your digital defense toolkit.
What is Zscaler?
Zscaler is a cloud-native cybersecurity platform designed to provide secure internet and application access to users—regardless of their location, device, or network. It takes security out of the physical data center and places it in the cloud, where it can scale with modern enterprise demands.
It enables businesses to adopt Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and eliminate the traditional VPN model. Instead of allowing blanket access to an entire network, Zscaler ensures each connection is verified, encrypted, and segmented—providing only the minimum required access to each user.
Its seamless architecture ensures employees can access what they need while threats are intercepted and neutralized before reaching your environment. No need for bulky firewalls or on-site hardware—everything happens in the cloud.
Breaking Down What is Zscaler
To better understand what is Zscaler, imagine it as a security checkpoint in the cloud. Rather than funneling all user traffic through a company’s central data center, it sends it directly to cloud applications and websites—after checking for malware, unauthorized access, or suspicious behavior.
Key features include:
- Inline threat protection using real-time inspection
- Cloud sandboxing for isolating unknown threats
- Identity-based policies ensuring only authorized access
- Cloud-native scalability with over 150 data centers worldwide
By analyzing content and user context, Zscaler ensures only trusted users and data get through, dramatically reducing the attack surface and improving user experience.. Traditional VPNs struggle to scale securely. Zscaler, however, can provide a consistent, secure experience without latency—no matter where the user is.
History of What is Zscaler
Zscaler was founded in 2007 by Jay Chaudhry, a visionary who saw that cybersecurity needed a facelift for the cloud era.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Zscaler founded in San Jose, California |
| 2012 | Introduced Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) |
| 2017 | Launched Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) |
| 2018 | IPO on NASDAQ under ticker ZS |
| 2020–25 | Expansion with AI integrations, deeper zero trust capabilities |
Chaudhry’s mission was crystal clear: shift the security paradigm from “castle and moat” to “secure from anywhere, anytime.”
Types of What is Zscaler
Zscaler isn’t just one product—it’s an ecosystem built to protect every layer of digital communication. Each product type has a unique purpose, tailored for specific challenges businesses face in securing data, applications, and users.
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA)
ZIA acts like a security checkpoint between the user and the internet. When someone tries to access a website or online tool, ZIA inspects the traffic, blocks potential cyber threats, and ensures compliance with company policies. Unlike traditional firewalls, it does all this from the cloud—providing scalable protection with no latency.
Example: A finance employee accessing a cloud-based ERP tool from their home network is shielded from phishing attacks or malicious sites through ZIA’s real-time URL filtering and sandboxing.
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)
ZPA replaces legacy VPNs by allowing secure, direct access to internal applications—without putting the user on the corporate network. It’s powered by Zero Trust, meaning no user or device is trusted by default, even if they’re inside the firewall.
Example: A remote developer working from Thailand can access internal code repositories securely without the need to log in to a VPN that could open up the whole network.
Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX)
ZDX isn’t just about security—it’s about user experience. It constantly monitors performance across devices, apps, and networks to ensure employees are having a smooth digital experience. If something goes wrong, IT gets actionable diagnostics instantly.
Example: If users in Brazil report that Zoom is lagging, ZDX pinpoints whether the issue is with the local ISP, endpoint, or the app itself—so IT doesn’t have to guess.
Zscaler Workload Segmentation
As businesses move workloads to the cloud, lateral movement of threats becomes a nightmare. Zscaler Workload Segmentation prevents this by isolating applications and services—even within the same data center or cloud provider.
Example: If a hacker breaches a container in your AWS setup, workload segmentation ensures they can’t jump into other containers and escalate the attack.
Zscaler B2B Access
Modern businesses need to collaborate with partners, vendors, and contractors. Zscaler B2B Access ensures these third parties get only the access they need—no more, no less—without setting up complex VPN tunnels or firewall rules.
Example: A law firm working with external consultants can grant secure, temporary access to specific legal documents hosted on internal servers—without exposing the full network.
How Does What is Zscaler Work?
When a user connects to the internet or an app, Zscaler routes their traffic through the nearest data center. The cloud engine inspects, filters, and enforces policies on that traffic in real-time—without touching the corporate network.
There’s no hardware. No complex configuration. Just seamless, secure access powered by over 150 data centers globally.
Pros and Cons of What is Zscaler
Before diving in, here’s a quick look at what you gain—and what to consider.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cloud-native scalability | May require mindset shift from traditional IT teams |
| Zero Trust architecture | Dependent on internet availability |
| Fast deployment | Pricing can be premium for small orgs |
| No hardware maintenance | Learning curve for full adoption |
Uses of What is Zscaler
The real power of Zscaler is in how it’s applied. It solves practical, everyday problems for IT teams, security leaders, and remote employees alike. Its use cases span industries and geographies, from securing mobile workforces to simplifying IT operations.
Remote Work Enablement
Zscaler enables businesses to offer secure, high-performance access to employees working from home, co-working spaces, or even traveling. It ensures that wherever your team connects from, their experience is consistent, fast, and fully protected.
Real-life use: A marketing manager logs into Salesforce from an airport lounge. Zscaler ensures secure access while scanning every packet of data for malware—without any noticeable slowdown.
Cloud Application Access
Zscaler allows users to access SaaS platforms like Google Workspace, Slack, or Office 365 directly—without backhauling traffic through a central server. This improves speed, reduces costs, and simplifies IT management.
Impact: Organizations see faster login times, fewer connectivity complaints, and improved productivity—especially when teams span multiple countries.
Data Protection & Compliance
With built-in Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Zscaler ensures that sensitive information such as credit card numbers or medical records doesn’t leave the network inappropriately. It also helps organizations comply with regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA.
Use case: A healthcare provider can automatically block the upload of patient information to unauthorized cloud services, avoiding potential legal and financial fallout.
Third-Party Access Control
Zscaler enables you to onboard external users quickly and safely. Instead of setting up new accounts or complex VPNs, it grants time-bound, identity-based access to the specific resources they need.
Practical scenario: A construction firm can let engineers from partner companies access blueprints and plans, without exposing payroll systems or internal communication channels.
Threat Visibility and Analytics
With what is Zscaler’s real-time analytics, IT teams get a 360-degree view of threats, usage patterns, and compliance gaps. This visibility helps teams act faster and more decisively.
Example: If a user clicks on a malicious link, Zscaler not only blocks the page but logs the event, alerts security teams, and offers remediation suggestions—instantly.
IT Simplification and Cost Reduction
Since Zscaler is entirely cloud-based, it eliminates the need for physical security appliances, updates, and manual patching. This reduces IT overhead and streamlines security operations.
Business result: A global retailer replaced its 300 branch firewalls with what is Zscaler’s cloud solution, saving over $1M annually in maintenance and licensing.
Resources
- Vendr. What is Zscaler?
- Portnox. What is Zscaler?
- CC Tech Group. Zscaler Overview
- ITU Online. Tech Definitions: Zscaler
- WWT. Zscaler Partner Overview
