Why is zscaler not working

Overview

Zscaler is a cloud security company founded in 2007 by Jay Chaudhry that pioneered the Security Service Edge (SSE) model. The company went public in March 2018 (NASDAQ: ZS) with an initial valuation of approximately $1.6 billion. Zscaler's core platform, Zero Trust Exchange, provides secure access to applications regardless of user location, device, or network. Unlike traditional security appliances that require hardware at each location, Zscaler operates entirely in the cloud, processing security checks through its global network of data centers. The company's growth accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as remote work increased demand for cloud-based security solutions. By 2023, Zscaler had expanded to serve over 6,500 enterprise customers worldwide, including major corporations and government agencies.

How It Works

Zscaler operates through a global cloud platform that intercepts internet traffic and applies security policies before allowing access to applications. When a user attempts to access a website or application, their traffic is routed through Zscaler's nearest data center via secure tunnels or proxy configurations. The platform performs multiple security checks including URL filtering, malware scanning, data loss prevention, and SSL inspection. Zscaler uses a zero-trust architecture that verifies every transaction regardless of network location, applying identity-based policies rather than network-based permissions. The system maintains user context across sessions through cloud-based policy engines that evaluate risk factors in real-time. This approach eliminates the need for backhauling traffic to corporate data centers, reducing latency while providing consistent security enforcement for remote users and branch offices.

Why It Matters

Zscaler's cloud-native approach addresses critical security challenges in the modern digital workplace. By eliminating the traditional network perimeter, organizations can securely enable remote work, cloud migration, and digital transformation initiatives. The platform's global scale allows enterprises to enforce consistent security policies across distributed workforces without deploying hardware in every location. This reduces operational costs while improving protection against sophisticated cyber threats. Zscaler's impact extends beyond individual organizations to broader industry trends, accelerating adoption of zero-trust security frameworks and cloud-delivered security services. The company's success has validated the SSE market category, influencing how enterprises architect their security infrastructure for hybrid work environments.