Zscaler Cloud Security FAQ
The Basics Of Cloud Security
One of the biggest challenges that companies face today is protecting their employees as they are spending more time online. Email, online commerce, web based applications, social networking, and streaming media are all emerging as critical productivity and communication tools for enterprises. Yet, protecting users as they utilize these applications from their desktops, laptops and mobile devices is proving to be challenging.
Companies have spent over $10 billion on security appliances and software over the past five years, yet over 70% of computers in a typical company contain malicious content. Continuing to throw expensive appliances and software at the problem, especially as IT budgets continue to decline, is not the answer.
Cloud computing has emerged as a technology that can quickly and cost effectively solve the security problem and also improve employee productivity. Clouds are a hot topic these days, but what are the true benefits of a cloud security solution and does cloud security make sense for your organization?
Q.Can you summarize the benefits of a world class cloud security solution in one sentence?
A world class cloud security solution allows you to protect any employee, on any device, anywhere in the
world, with absolutely no hardware, no software and no desktop client.
Q.How would my company and employees access the cloud?
Accessing the cloud is as simple as flipping a switch on your network to point all your internet traffic to the
cloud. The cloud reaches every corner of the world, so you can send the cloud internet traffic from HQ,
remote offices, laptops at coffee shops and even mobile devices such as blackberries and iphones.
Minimize IT
Q.What happens to all the appliances and software I was using to protect my network such as
anti-virus appliances, web gateways, URL filtering software, data loss prevention software,
malware appliances and load balancers?
They can all be turned off and recycled. The beauty of a cloud is that it has the ability to perform all of these
security tasks, and simply send back clean traffic. Clouds allow you to reduce complexity in your IT
environment. Your IT teams are freed up to add real value to your organization, instead of constantly
monitoring systems, patching hardware, aggregating logs and running backups.
Lack of expertise
Q.Why are road warriors such a risk to corporate security?
Green IT
A CIO of a Fortune 1000 remarked, 'I have 5000 internet gateways to protect'. When road warriors travel
outside the boundaries of the corporate network, they access the internet directly from coffee shops, hotel
rooms and airports around the world. They ultimately get contaminated and then bring that malicious
content back into the corporate network.
--- IDC 2009
Q.How can clouds solve my road warrior security problem?
A world class security cloud reaches every corner of the world. So wherever your road warriors go, they can
access the cloud node a few milliseconds away and make sure they are protected while accessing the Internet.
Q.Will accessing the cloud slow down my employees when they access the Internet?
A world class cloud solution won't slow you down. For example, Zscaler's cloud operates out of over 40 data
centers globally. Wherever your users are in the world, they can access the Zscaler cloud in less than 10
milliseconds.
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Q.Do clouds benefit the environment?
Yes. A security cloud can handle the security needs of millions of companies around the world, without each
company having to deploy expensive hardware and software. It's no different than a power plant. Companies
don't run dedicated power plants on site. They simply plug into the grid and consume and pay for only the
power they need. In the last 12 month, millions of users have migrated to security clouds, resulting in
thousands of appliances being turned off in data centers. This saves power, reduces CO 2 emissions and
benefits the environment.
Q.What if I increase hiring and need more capacity, or what if my Internet usage spikes during a
busy period during the year.
Security clouds are architected with excess capacity. Some companies need the capacity during the busy
holiday shopping season, while others need capacity during the summer travel moths. A security cloud can
balance capacity planning needs across a large portfolio of customers. This allows companies to focus on their
core business, save money and enjoy peace of mind knowing their employees will be secure as business
conditions change.
Q.My vendors are suggesting 'hybrid' cloud solutions. What are they?
Hybrid solutions perform some functions in the cloud and some using on-premise appliances and software.
Hybrid is a code word in the IT industry. It means, "I have been selling you appliances and software for many
years at 10x what it costs me. Please don't stop buying from me, or it will turn my entire company up-side-
down." The reality is that there is absolutely no need for any on-premise hardware or software. From two
person dentist offices to the Fortune 10, companies have fully moved to the cloud. Don't be fooled by 'hybrid'
language from traditional hardware and software companies who are desperate to cling to overpriced legacy
revenue streams.
Q.What should you look for in a cloud security vendor?
Traditional hardware, software and appliance vendors know how to build point products for a single location.
Building and operating clouds is complicated. Clouds are multi-tenant, always on, truly global networks that
process billions of transactions a day. A cloud vendor should have word class technology, a broad global
network, best of breed security services, robust reporting and deep knowledge of how to operate a mission
critical cloud.
Q.Why are so many companies talking about the Zscaler Web Security Cloud?
Zscaler is the largest company in the world focused solely on cloud security. Our research and development
centers span three continents, our cloud operates at four 9s availability, and our cloud specific patents stand
at 30 and growing. Over 1 million users access our cloud every day, from 140 different countries. Join the
companies from 140 countries, who have thrown away their hardware and software, and moved to the Zscaler
Web Security Cloud. Security made simple!