Zscaler’s recent announcement of its acquisition plan for Airgap Networks signifies a strategic move to enhance its zero-trust secure access service edge (SASE) solution, particularly targeting the protection of branch offices and the elimination of firewall-based segmentation requirements. Although the financial specifics of the acquisition were not disclosed, the intent is clear: to bolster Zscaler’s SASE offering through the incorporation of Airgap Networks’ capabilities.
Established in 2019, Airgap Networks specializes in a zero-trust isolation platform, attracting significant attention with a Series A funding round that raised $13.4 million in April 2022, led by Storm Ventures. Notably, Airgap Networks expanded its portfolio by acquiring NetSpyGlass, a network and asset intelligence solution provider, in June 2023.
Central to Airgap Networks’ approach is its intelligent Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) proxy architecture, which prioritizes device isolation and access control based on identity and context. This departure from traditional network access control (NAC) and firewall methods, which rely on static Access Control Lists (ACLs) for east-west traffic management, aims to thwart sophisticated lateral threats effectively.
Zscaler’s strategy involves integrating Airgap Networks’ agentless segmentation technology with its Zero Trust SD-WAN solution. This fusion aims to empower customers in implementing zero-trust segmentation across various environments, extending protection to Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) devices, as well as critical infrastructure spanning branches, campuses, factories, and data centers, including east-west connectivity.
In a statement, Naresh Kumar, VP and GM of product management at Zscaler, highlighted the transformative potential of the Zscaler-Airgap Networks collaboration, particularly in redefining security paradigms within campus and data center environments. With a focus on disrupting conventional approaches to security, including SD-WAN, NAC, and firewall-based measures for east-west and OT networks, Zscaler aims to further solidify its position as a leader in the SASE and security services edge (SSE) landscape.
