CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Cato Networks vs Zscaler

Cato Networks sells the Cato SASE Cloud, a SASE platform built as a global cloud with a single-pass engine, a single data lake and single policy enforcement. Zscaler sells a unified cybersecurity platform built on the Zero Trust Exchange. CISO Tribune files both under SASE and SSE and Zero trust network access. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

Change the companies

Up to four companies side by side.

  • Cato Networks
  • Zscaler
Cato Networks vs Zscaler: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Cato NetworksCato Networks sells the Cato SASE Cloud, a SASE platform built as a global cloud with a single-pass engine, a single data lake and single policy enforcement.catonetworks.comZscalerZscaler sells a unified cybersecurity platform built on the Zero Trust Exchange.zscaler.com
What it sells
  • Cato SASE Cloud[5]A global cloud with a single-pass engine, a single data lake and single policy enforcement.
  • Cato AI Security[1][5]Secures and governs AI interactions, from third-party AI usage to homegrown AI applications and agents.
  • Cato DLP[11]Data loss prevention with a catalog of 350+ pre-defined data types.
  • DNS Security[13]Inspects all DNS traffic and blocks requests to malicious destinations before a connection is made.
  • Zscaler Zero Trust Browser[5]Extends Zero Trust to the browser.
  • Zscaler Deception[6]Zscaler Deception is used to detect machine-speed attacker behavior.
  • Zscaler AppProtection[4]Protects private apps from web- and identity-based attacks.
  • AI Guard[8]Provides an overview of the users and AI applications that AI Guard manages.
  • Zscaler Cloud Sandbox[7]Provides protection from threats not detectable using traditional security techniques.
  • Zscaler China Premium Access[4]Delivers secure connectivity for China-based employees.
Categories
Headquarters
Tel Aviv, Israel[3]Not stated on its pages
Founded
Not stated on its pages2007[1]
Ownership and funding
Privately held[1][2][4][5][8][11]Public (NASDAQ: ZS)[2][4][13][14]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
  • October 27, 2026Cato Networks launched Cato AI Endpoint, an endpoint client for discovering AI use, protecting sensitive data and enforcing AI policies across browsers, desktop applications and local agents.[16]
  • August 3, 2026Cato Networks launched Cato Agentic Threat Prevention, a capability using autonomous agents to predict likely attack paths and personalize protections for each customer environment.[17]
  • May 21, 2026Zscaler announced its intent to acquire Symmetry Systems, a company that maps identities and data access for AI security.[12]
  • February 5, 2026Zscaler announced it has acquired SquareX to extend its Zero Trust capabilities into the browser.[13]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 4, 2026[4]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 10, 2026[14]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
From its own pages, Cato Networks sells mainly to organizations that want to replace point products with a single platform for networking, security and access. Cato Networks says organizations can start with a capability such as SD-WAN, SSE or ZTNA and expand over time. Cato Networks says its managed services let teams choose how much to hand off, from co-managed to fully managed. For data protection, Cato Networks says its DLP is designed for organizations that need to protect sensitive data across distributed users, multiple locations and cloud environments. Cato Networks describes that DLP as suited for security and IT teams looking to consolidate data protection into a single platform.From its own pages, Zscaler sells to organisations that need secure remote access to business applications for a hybrid workforce. Zscaler extends zero trust access to private applications for users in headquarters and branch offices. Zscaler addresses government and federal cybersecurity. Zscaler addresses state and local government operations. Zscaler offers solutions for UK healthcare organisations such as the NHS. Zscaler offers a SaaS-delivered solution for China-based employees.
Last verified
November 2, 2026November 5, 2026

Where they overlap

  • SASE and SSE is the primary category of both Cato Networks and Zscaler; both are also filed under Zero trust network access.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Cato Networks is also filed under Workforce AI usage security. Zscaler is also filed under Firewalls and NGFW and Remote browser isolation.
  • Cato Networks lists Cato SASE Cloud, Cato AI Security, Cato DLP and DNS Security. Zscaler lists Zscaler Zero Trust Browser, Zscaler Deception, Zscaler AppProtection, AI Guard, Zscaler Cloud Sandbox and 1 more.
  • Cato Networks is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
  • Zscaler was founded in 2007.
  • Cato Networks is privately held. Zscaler is a public company listed on NASDAQ as ZS.

How they differ

CISO Tribune files both Cato Networks and Zscaler under SASE and SSE as the primary category, and both also appear under zero trust network access. Cato Networks sells Cato SASE Cloud, a global cloud with a single-pass engine, a single data lake and single policy enforcement. Zscaler sells a unified cybersecurity platform built on the Zero Trust Exchange. Cato Networks also sells Cato AI Security, Cato DLP and DNS Security, and it offers managed options from self-managed to fully hands-free. Zscaler sells Zscaler Zero Trust Browser, Zscaler Deception, Zscaler AppProtection, AI Guard and Zscaler China Premium Access.

Cato Networks is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, and is privately held. Zscaler was founded in 2007 and is a public company listed on NASDAQ as ZS. Zscaler names GHD, which uses Zscaler Cloud Sandbox, and Amex GBT, which uses Zscaler Deception. Zscaler also describes offerings for government, UK healthcare organisations such as the NHS, retail and manufacturing.

On October 27, 2026, Cato Networks launched Cato AI Endpoint, an endpoint client for discovering AI use and enforcing AI policies across browsers, desktop applications and local agents. On August 3, 2026, Cato Networks launched Cato Agentic Threat Prevention. Zscaler announced on May 21, 2026 its intent to acquire Symmetry Systems, and on February 5, 2026 it announced it had acquired SquareX to extend its Zero Trust capabilities into the browser.

What it sells: Cato Networks

What Cato SASE Cloud does[5]
Cato's SASE platform converges networking, security and access into a single, global, AI-powered cloud service. Thousands of SPACEs run on bare-metal compute across worldwide PoPs, interconnected by tier-1 carriers.
What Cato AI Security does[1][5]
Cato AI Security secures and governs all AI interactions, from sanctioned third-party AI usage to runtime protection of homegrown AI applications and AI agents. Cato Networks says AI security can be deployed independently to protect AI usage and AI agents across the organization.
What Cato DLP does[11]
Cato DLP offers a catalog of 350+ pre-defined data types covering common use cases for sensitive data, PII, and compliance. The Cato DLP engine inspects all traffic to private applications and SaaS apps. Cato DLP offers inline scanning and policy enforcement tailored for GenAI traffic such as ChatGPT.
What DNS Security does[13]
Cato DNS Security inspects all DNS traffic in real time to prevent malicious activity hiding within the protocol. It protects against phishing, domain squatting, website impersonation, DNS tunneling and crypto-mining activity.

What it sells: Zscaler

What Zscaler Zero Trust Browser does[5]
Zscaler combines AI-based isolation of web threats with Browser Detection and Response (BDR) capabilities. Zscaler provides cloud-delivered and in-browser data loss prevention, including screenshot and keystroke logger protection. Zscaler enforces browser security through an extension, an enterprise browser, or cloud browser isolation.
What Zscaler AppProtection does[4]
Zscaler AppProtection streamlines private access management. Zscaler AppProtection is a key part of ZPA.
What Zscaler Cloud Sandbox does[7]
GHD uses Zscaler Cloud Sandbox to provide further protection from threats not detectable using traditional security techniques. A Zscaler dashboard widget shows the flow and dispensation of files sent to the sandbox.
What Zscaler China Premium Access does[4]
Zscaler China Premium Access is a SaaS-delivered solution. Zscaler China Premium Access delivers secure connectivity for China-based employees as a SaaS-delivered solution.

Questions about Cato Networks and Zscaler

What do Cato Networks and Zscaler sell?
Cato Networks sells Cato SASE Cloud, Cato AI Security, Cato DLP and DNS Security. Zscaler sells Zscaler Zero Trust Browser, Zscaler Deception, Zscaler AppProtection, AI Guard, Zscaler Cloud Sandbox and 1 more.
Are Cato Networks and Zscaler in the same category?
Yes. SASE and SSE is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
Where are Cato Networks and Zscaler headquartered?
Cato Networks is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
When were Cato Networks and Zscaler founded?
Zscaler was founded in 2007.
Who owns Cato Networks and Zscaler?
Cato Networks is privately held. Zscaler is a public company listed on NASDAQ as ZS.
Who are Cato Networks and Zscaler sold to?
From its own pages, Cato Networks sells mainly to organizations that want to replace point products with a single platform for networking, security and access. From its own pages, Zscaler sells to organisations that need secure remote access to business applications for a hybrid workforce.
What have Cato Networks and Zscaler announced recently?
October 27, 2026: Cato Networks launched Cato AI Endpoint, an endpoint client for discovering AI use, protecting sensitive data and enforcing AI policies across browsers, desktop applications and local agents. May 21, 2026: Zscaler announced its intent to acquire Symmetry Systems, a company that maps identities and data access for AI security.

About Cato Networks

Cato Networks sells the Cato SASE Cloud, a SASE platform built as a global cloud with a single-pass engine, a single data lake and single policy enforcement. Cato Networks describes its SASE platform as converging networking, security and access into a single, global, AI-powered cloud service. Cato Networks states that the platform delivers secure, optimized access from distributed points of presence close to users and business resources.[15]

Cato Networks states that day-to-day planning, scaling and maintenance depend on specialized, hard-to-find expertise. In the company's account, controls differ across users, sites, datacenters and cloud, leaving gaps as applications migrate. Cato Networks positions its platform as a replacement for point products, with a single policy and console running on an SLA-backed global backbone.[6][7]

The core of the platform is the Single Pass Cloud Engine, called SPACE. SPACE converges NGFW, threat prevention, and CASB, DLP and ZTNA into one cloud-native stack. Thousands of SPACEs run on bare-metal compute across worldwide PoPs, interconnected by tier-1 carriers. Every inspected flow feeds network, device, user, app and data context into one open data lake that is accessible through the Cato API. Cato Networks says NGFW, CASB, DLP, ZTNA, threat prevention and AI controls all run on a single policy engine.[6]

On the networking side, Cato Networks carries SD-WAN traffic over a private global backbone. Cato Networks connects sites to the Cato Cloud, where they are managed centrally. For access, Cato Networks offers adaptive, risk-based, zero-trust access to private applications located on-premises or in the cloud. The access methods include ZTNA Client, Enterprise Browser, Browser Extension and Clientless Portal. Cato Networks says these access methods can coexist with current access solutions and be selectively deployed to secure some or all application access.

Cato Networks discovers local, custom and managed agents across the enterprise, including their tools, MCP servers, data access and execution paths. Cato Networks controls prompts, responses, tool calls and tool actions before agents create business impact. Cato Networks says AI security can be deployed independently to protect AI usage and AI agents across the organization. Organizations can run AI Security for Applications on-prem or in their own cloud with AI Security Outposts.[9][10]

Other modules run on the same platform. Cato DLP offers a catalog of 350+ pre-defined data types covering common use cases for sensitive data, PII, and compliance. The Cato DLP engine inspects all traffic to private applications and SaaS apps. Cato EPP is fully managed through the Cato Management Application. Cato DNS Security inspects all DNS traffic in real time to prevent malicious activity hiding within the protocol, and it blocks DNS requests to malicious destinations before a connection is ever made. The Cato Management Application unifies configuration, monitoring and analytics in a single pane of glass.[12][13][14]

Cato Networks offers MDR, which delivers zero-footprint detection of persistent threats with no agents or appliances. Cato Networks monitors last-mile ISPs 24×7 at every site. On an outage or performance degradation, Cato Networks works with the ISP to resolve it. For management, customers can choose Cato or a qualified partner to help manage the networking and security environment. For site deployment, the zero-touch Cato Socket deploys quickly at customer premises, by the customer or with Cato and partner remote or on-site support. Customers can self-manage, co-manage with a partner and Cato, or hand over complete hands-free operations.[15]

On deployment, Cato Networks says zero-touch provisioning and self-service client rollout enable selective deployment by use case, geography, or org unit. Cato Networks says its modular platform coexists with existing infrastructure, allowing gradual adoption. Cato Networks says organizations can start with a specific capability such as SD-WAN, SSE, or ZTNA and expand over time without rearchitecting the environment.[6][12][13][14][15]

Cato Networks on the record

Sources

Cato Networks full record

  1. [1]catonetworks.comCato Networks · catonetworks.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Cato raises 359 millionCato Networks · catonetworks.com · published June 30, 2025 · Tier A
  3. [3]Cato continues expansion with new global headquartersCato Networks · catonetworks.com · published June 2, 2024 · Tier A
  4. [4]Cato SASE Cloud Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 23, 2026 · Tier C
  5. [5]Cato Networks: World’s Leading Single-Vendor SASE PlatformCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Platform Architecture | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]SASE Platform | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Agentic AI Security | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]AI Security | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Endpoint Protection (EPP) | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]DNS Security | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Cato Management Application (CMA) | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Cato Managed Services | Cato NetworksCato Networks · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Cato Networks Launches Cato AI Endpoint to Secure AI Use Beyond the BrowserCato Networks · published October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Cato Networks Launches Agentic Threat Prevention to Predict and Mitigate AI-Assisted AttacksCato Networks · published August 3, 2026 · Tier A

Zscaler full record

  1. [1]About zscalerZscaler · zscaler.com · undated page, accessed November 5, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]zscaler.comZscaler · zscaler.com · undated page, accessed November 5, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Leading Cloud Enterprise Security Provider for Zero TrustZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Products & Solutions | ZscalerZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Zscaler Zero Trust BrowserZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Stop Frontier AI with Deception | Zscaler CybersecurityZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]GHD Case Study | Customer Stories | ZscalerZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]About AI Guard Dashboard | ZscalerZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Viewing the Cybersecurity Dashboard | ZscalerZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]About Custom Dashboards | ZscalerZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]About Alerts | ZscalerZscaler · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Zscaler to Acquire Symmetry Systems, Combining Zero Trust and Access Graph Technology to Map and Secure AI Agent Communication | Zscaler, Inc.Zscaler, Inc. · published May 21, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Zscaler Acquires SquareX to Advance Zero Trust Browser Security for the AI Era | ZscalerZscaler · published February 5, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Zscaler Internet Access Reviews & Product DetailsG2 · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier C

Spot a factual error? Request a correction.