March 2025 //
Zeus Kerravala from ZK Research interviews Nathan Howe, VP of Global Innovation at Zscaler, about their new SIM card for mobile security. Nathan explains that Zscaler’s endpoint agent secures end-user devices but not IoT devices outside the corporate network. The new SIM card addresses this by providing uniform security across all devices, including IoT and OT. Nathan highlights that traditional SIMs connect to corporate networks, posing security risks. Zscaler partners with telcos to provide a secure gateway, ensuring zero-trust policies. The service is ideal for various industries, from autonomous vehicles to ankle trackers. Future plans include global partnerships and integrating security applications into the mobile world.
Outline
Zeus Kerravala Interviews Nathan Al on Zscaler’s Innovation and Mobile Security
- Zeus Kerravala introduces himself and Nathan Al, VP of Global Innovation for Zscaler, at the Chase Center before a Warriors game.
- Nathan explains his role at Zscaler, focusing on new innovations and future products.
- Zeus Kerravala asks about Zscaler’s new SIM card and its significance in mobile security.
- Nathan explains the limitations of Zscaler’s endpoint agent and the need for a SIM card to secure IoT devices outside the traditional network.
Challenges of Traditional Mobile Security Solutions
- Nathan Al discusses how traditional mobile security solutions rely on SIM cards from carriers, which can be risky as networks extend to new locations.
- He highlights the need for a unified security solution that can protect devices both inside and outside the corporate network.
- Nathan Al mentions that telcos are partners in this ePort, providing mobile networks while Zscaler focuses on security.
- He provides examples of various industries and use cases where Zscaler’s SIM card can be beneficial, including autonomous vehicles and IoT devices.
Zscaler’s Role in Mobile Security and IoT
- Nathan Al explains how Zscaler acts as a secure gateway, allowing traPic to pass through its zero-trust policy without creating a private network.
- He describes the benefits of this approach, including the ability to manage security policies for IoT devices and autonomous vehicles.
- Zeus Kerravala inquiries about the potential use of Zscaler’s SIM card in user mobile phones, and Nathan Al explains the current focus on IoT and OT devices.
- Nathan Howe emphasizes that Zscaler is open to customer demands and is currently focused on IoT and OT use cases.
Global Carrier Partnerships and Market Expansion
- Nathan Howe discusses the challenges of managing multiple carriers for global companies and how Zscaler can simplify this process.
- He explains Zscaler’s partnership with carriers, allowing customers to choose the best network options based on their data requirements.
- Nathan Howe highlights the importance of adapting to customer needs rather than forcing a new solution.
- He mentions the potential for Zscaler’s SIM card to open up new markets for telcos and partners.
Future Directions and Market Opportunities
- Nathan Howe shares insights into Zscaler’s future plans, including global partnerships and new use cases for mobile security.
- He emphasizes the importance of delivering security solutions that meet the needs of various industries and use cases.
- Zeus Kerravala asks about the potential for Zscaler’s SIM card to be an adjacency to existing Zscaler cloud services or a new market opportunity.
- Nathan Howe explains that Zscaler aims to connect existing services to the cloud in new ways, helping devices in the field to be detected and protected.
Integration of IT and OT in Modern Workspaces
- Nathan Howe discusses the integration of IT and OT in modern workspaces and the challenges companies face in managing these systems.
- He highlights the importance of providing a secure protection for all devices, whether they are part of the IT or OT infrastructure.
- Nathan Howe mentions that Zscaler’s goal is to help unify security policies for both IT and OT devices.
- Zeus Kerravala and Nathan Howe conclude the interview, looking forward to the upcoming Warriors game and future developments in mobile security.
To watch the video, click here.