Feature Friday, Cato Networks Platform: A Deep Dive into Cloud-Native SASE

As enterprises transition to digital-first operations, network and security infrastructures face new demands for flexibility, scalability, and security. Cato Networks addresses these needs through its Cato SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) Cloud Platform, a cloud-native solution built to unify networking and security services for the modern enterprise.

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Cato Networks Platform: A Comprehensive Look at Cloud-Native SASE

As businesses shift towards digital-first strategies, their network and security infrastructures must evolve to meet increasing demands for agility, scalability, and robust protection. Cato Networks responds to these challenges with its Cato SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) Cloud Platform—a cloud-native solution designed to seamlessly integrate networking and security services for today’s enterprises.

Here’s a breakdown of its standout capabilities:

1. Connect Everything: A Unified Cloud Network

Cato consolidates all enterprise traffic—WAN, internet, and cloud—into a seamless, resilient global cloud network. This is supported by a SLA-backed private backbone of physical Points of Presence (PoPs) worldwide, providing optimized connectivity. Traffic from all sources—physical locations, end-users, and cloud Data Centres—is routed efficiently for better performance and lower latency, essential for latency-sensitive applications like voice and video.

Key features of Cato’s connectivity solutions:

Cato Sockets: SD-WAN devices for physical locations, providing failover, link aggregation, and dynamic path selection.
Client and Client-less Access: Enables remote users to securely access private applications from any endpoint via a lightweight client or secure web portal.
Cloud On-Ramps: Flexible options to connect cloud Data Centre, such as virtual SD-WAN devices and IPSec tunnels.

2. Protect Everywhere: Security Built Into the Network

Security is integral to the Cato SASE Cloud Platform, with its SSE 360 suite providing comprehensive protection. This cloud-native security stack offers tools like Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and DNS Security.

Security highlights include:

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Enforces security policies based on user identity and device posture.
Endpoint Security: Extends protection, detection, and response to individual devices using an Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP/EDR).

3. Detect What’s Hidden: AI-Powered Threat Detection

Cato employs AI/ML for anomaly detection, consolidating data across the cloud network and endpoints into a unified data lake. This enables businesses to uncover hidden threats and respond proactively. Cato’s XDR (Extended Detection and Response) helps analyze incidents, providing AI-generated insights for faster and more accurate responses.

4. Run Like a Champ: Management and Scalability

The platform offers a single pane of glass management through the Cato Management Application, making it easy to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot both network and security aspects. APIs enable seamless integration with third-party tools and automation of tasks like policy creation.

Conclusion: The Future of Secure Networking

The Cato SASE Cloud Platform is designed from the ground up to offer a unified, scalable solution for the modern enterprise. With its ability to connect everything, protect everywhere, and detect hidden threats, it’s a comprehensive platform for businesses seeking to modernize their network and security infrastructure.