Zscaler is a cloud proxy that scans and provides security for traffic to cloud-based applications and resources.
Network and Security Engineer at a security firm with 11-50 employees
A cloud solution for security features like encryption, URL filtering, application control, and credential theft protection
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Zscaler is location-independent. Even if you switch to another country, users will have the same security posture. For example, if you are in one country and travel to India tomorrow, you will still have the same security posture as the rest of your team. You will also be able to access all your resources over the Internet as a team, regardless of location. There is no dependency on local firewalls at the site. Everything is in the cloud, so you get security wherever you go.
Zscaler provides several security features, including encryption, URL filtering, application control, and credential theft protection. They are also updating their DLP capabilities.
What needs improvement?
The reports can be made easier. The solution takes time to fetch reports in the Database section. Otherwise, the reporting module itself is well-designed.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zscaler SASE for two and a half years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Zscaler is very stable. The customers use web services that cause issues over the internet.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Zscaler is highly scalable. Zscaler is a cloud-based service, so it takes care of all the data center and hardware infrastructure. Even if you only have one license, you will still have access to all of Zscaler's security features and performance capabilities. Around 2Lakh users are in Nestle, and all are using Zscaler.
We work with enterprise-level customers.
How are customer service and support?
The customer support is good.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have experience with Prisma Access. In terms of scalability and tech support, Zscaler is better. However, Prisma is better in other parameters because they have more experience in the firewall industry and are the leader in firewall technology. We at Nestle are forwarding most of our traffic to Zscaler for scalability. We are using Prisma for some essential functions.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy. You have to plan very carefully how you are going to use Zscaler. Planning is critical, but implementation is achievable. You need to purchase cloud or host services and synchronize your user database to the rescheduler. Then, you just need to use the application to create a folder application on the system, and you are good to go.
Zscaler deployment time depends on the number of users and the policies to be deployed. A very simple setup can take around two to three weeks, while a very complex setup with multiple components can take months to implement.
What other advice do I have?
We are the service providers of Nestle, which is a user of Zscaler.
New functionality is always being added to Zscaler's products, but there are some features that we cannot have in the cloud-based platform. For example, Pulse QoS and VPN are still available as standalone products. However, Zscaler offers a variety of products that can meet these needs, such as ZIA, ZPA, and ZDA.
Maintaining Zscaler is easy. It has a well-designed admin portal and policy control. At least 20-30 people are required to manage the Zscaler product with a worldwide presence, depending on the setup. For example, Nestle requires 1-2 people to manage their Zscaler deployment.
I recommend the Zscaler solution. If I get an opportunity to use it in an environment where the users are mostly roaming users and the entire network stack is in the cloud, I will recommend they use Zscaler products. It's a great product.
Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: MSP
Data Analyst at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Highly scalable and effective policy implementation
Pros and Cons
- "On DLP terms, Zscaler Cloud DLP ensures that data doesn't go outside of the organization. So on the network level, Zscaler does a pretty good job."
- "Another area of improvement is implementation through non-client connectors. The solution can be implemented in two ways. One uses the back file; the other one uses client connectors. So the client connector is pretty fast, but when it comes to non-client connectors and procedures, it's kind of delayed and slow."
What is our primary use case?
It pretty much covers, like, if you implement it, it's going to cover, like, 80 to 90% of real estate for the organization.
How has it helped my organization?
On DLP terms, Zscaler Cloud DLP ensures that data doesn't go outside of the organization. So on the network level, Zscaler does a pretty good job.
What is most valuable?
The solution doesn't do a very good job of detection, but they definitely do a very good job of implementing the policies.
What needs improvement?
There is room for improvement in detection. From the detection perspective, like, how it detects the violations.
Another area of improvement is implementation through non-client connectors. The solution can be implemented in two ways. One uses the back file; the other one uses client connectors. So the client connector is pretty fast, but when it comes to non-client connectors and procedures, it's kind of delayed and slow. The policies don't reflect very soon. It takes, like, a day and, like, hours to get implemented. But if it's a client connector, it takes, like, two minutes. It's just so good.
In future releases, I would like to see two things. It's not more of a feature but more like an enhancement. So I would like to see an enhancement in their proximity when detecting credit card details and past support details, and PII data.
Another area of improvement is support.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for around nine months. I use the latest version 6.2.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is pretty good. I would rate the scalability a nine out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
There is room for improvement in support.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The initial deployment is pretty easy. That's pretty straightforward.
What was our ROI?
We have definitely seen an ROI.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price is a little bit on the higher side, especially if you are going to add, like, packs or bundles to your subscription. But otherwise, it's pretty decent.
What other advice do I have?
I would suggest to keep your policies simple. Don't complicate them because it depends on your organization and how you set it up. So once you are doing it, just keep it clean and simple.
Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Technical Manager at Valuepoint Systems
Provides safe access and the ability to secure data in terms of confidentiality
Pros and Cons
- "Users get direct secure access to applications over the internet."
- "The DX layer could be better if it had improved visibility."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use case of SASE is for secure access, whether for public internet or private applications. Post-Covid, users are connecting from everywhere and need secure access with a good user experience. We deploy this solution to our customers.
What is most valuable?
Safe access is a key valuable feature. The ability to secure data in terms of confidentiality is also a great feature. Instead of going through existing gateways or their networks, users get direct secure access to applications over the internet. Connectivity to the applications is also great.
What needs improvement?
Although it's good, the DX layer could be better if it had improved visibility. There is definitely scope to enhance that aspect. Some customers are looking for application connectivity over zero trust which is a concern for them. I believe it's in the Zscaler roadmap and we hope to see that in the near future.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been providing this solution to our customers for a decade.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There were initially some stability issues but the solution is now very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is great and it's the biggest advantage of having any SaaS solution. We have all categories of customers and a mid-market enterprise board. Our client companies have users that range anywhere from 500 up to 5,000.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not complex at all and easy to handle. Customers have to familiarize themselves with the solution and try it out themselves. Deployment usually takes a couple of weeks although it depends on use cases and complexity. There may also be dependencies from the network side which can add to the deployment time.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Senior Network Engineer at Measat Broadcast Network System
Highly scalable, seemly conductivity, and simple setup
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Zscaler Private Access is we do not have to connect to a VPN, it is seamless. It is more convenient for us because we use one agent to cover the internet and VPN access."
- "Zscaler Private Access could improve by improving external access. If external parties want to access locally to my company's services, we need to onboard them into our domain, otherwise, it doesn't work. Additionally, if their company also has Zscaler Private Access, then it doesn't work. They need to log in with our domain ID, not their company ID."
What is our primary use case?
We use Zscaler Private Access to provide access to on-premise applications.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Zscaler Private Access is we do not have to connect to a VPN, it is seamless. It is more convenient for us because we use one agent to cover the internet and VPN access.
What needs improvement?
Zscaler Private Access could improve by improving external access. If external parties want to access locally to my company's services, we need to onboard them into our domain, otherwise, it doesn't work. Additionally, if their company also has Zscaler Private Access, then it doesn't work. They need to log in with our domain ID, not their company ID.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zscaler Private Access for approximately one and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Zscaler Private Access is good.
I rate the stability of Zscaler Private Access a five out of five.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Zscaler Private Access is scalable.
I rate the scalability of Zscaler Private Access a five out of five.
We have approximately 300 users using this solution.
How are customer service and support?
I have not used the support from Zscaler Private Access.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I use FortiClient VPN in parallel with Zscaler Private Access.
How was the initial setup?
Zscaler Private Access's initial setup was simple. The total time for the implementation took one hour.
What about the implementation team?
We did the implementation of Zscaler Private Access with one person.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Zscaler Private Access an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Technical Support Associate at Tech Mahindra Limited
Helps to maintain data loads but needs to create a feature where it is works in offline mode
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is the best for storage."
- "We have issues with the tool's maintenance and networking. It should be able to work in offline mode as well."
What is our primary use case?
We use Zscaler Cloud DLP to maintain data load and for storage reports.
What is most valuable?
The solution is the best for storage.
What needs improvement?
We have issues with the tool's maintenance and networking. It should be able to work in offline mode as well.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Zscaler Cloud DLP is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The tool is scalable. My company has 250-300 users.
How was the initial setup?
Zscaler Cloud DLP's installation is difficult.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Zscaler Cloud DLP is moderately priced. We pay around 2 million rupees per year.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Cybersecurity Consultant at a consultancy
Ability to integrate with multiple IDPs, but app segmentation is license based
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Zscaler Private Access are its ability to integrate with multiple IDPs and application segmentation."
- "More on-prem infrastructure is required when Zscaler Private Access is to be implemented as a single point of entry."
What is our primary use case?
The security issues one faces with legacy VPN solutions are addressed using a SaaS VPN platform. If an organization wants to implement a zero-trust network architecture, then a SaaS VPN platform is the way to go about it.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Zscaler Private Access are its ability to integrate with multiple IDPs and application segmentation.
What needs improvement?
More on-prem infrastructure is required when Zscaler Private Access is to be implemented as a single point of entry.
Since the whole concept of app segmentation is license based, making the app segmentation extremely granular becomes very expensive for an organization. As a result, not all organizations would adopt a granular approach for rolling out their Zscaler Private Access solution. So the entire approach must be seen differently, not the standard license-based approach. As an organization, if I want to make the access for my employees more granular, then it means that I will have to buy more licenses. Organizations with 10,000 to 20,000 applications, including their business partners also connecting to their applications, would need to invest a lot of money into making it granular. Okay. That kind of investment may not be viable for every organization to make, which could limit the use of Zscaler Private Access.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zscaler Private Access for about two and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate Zscaler Private Access a nine out of ten for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate Zscaler Private Access a ten out of ten for scalability. Zscaler Private Access can be used for more than 2,00,000 users.
How was the initial setup?
Zscaler tells you right at the front that the implementation needs to be taken up by Zscaler-certified people. It does require a good amount of knowledge of the platform. Other options are available where Zscaler makes professional services and resident engineers available. So Zscaler Private Access is a complicated solution, but they facilitate much of that implementation. I rate Zscaler Private Access a seven out of ten for ease of initial setup.
What about the implementation team?
Zscaler Private Access's deployment depends on how much time an organization spends preparing for the solution's implementation. If you have a checklist prepared beforehand, you can deploy the solution in probably one and a half or two months. But if you start deploying it and then start making the necessary preparations for the change, it could easily take more than a year for a large organization.
To deploy Zscaler Private Access, you need to follow a full-fledged project management process. This process includes requirement definitions, coming up with a high-level design document, preparing your project plan, coming up with a low-level design document, going into a pilot phase, and then the production rollout.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Zscaler Private Access is extremely expensive. I rate Zscaler Private Access an eight out of ten for pricing.
What other advice do I have?
Zscaler Private Access has its own data centers and its own private cloud.
Overall, I rate Zscaler Private Access a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: implementer
Senior Technical Consultant at Meta Infotech Pvt Ltd
Stable, scalable, and feature-rich
Pros and Cons
- "I find all Zscaler Private Access features valuable because each replaces flawed technologies, such as EPAs being replacements for VPN and PR as a replacement for PAM, so I can't mention only one valuable feature. Overall, Zscaler Private Access is a good solution."
- "It would be better if the Zscaler Private Access team made it easier for people to find subscriptions on the portal, mainly information on what my customers subscribed to or the type of licenses purchased."
What is our primary use case?
I've focused on basic Zscaler Private Access policies, primarily when users are working remotely.
I also use the solution for browser access, which means giving access to clientless machines.
Privileged remote access is another use case for Zscaler Private Access.
I also use the solution for its log streaming service and source IP anchoring.
What is most valuable?
I find all Zscaler Private Access features valuable because each replaces flawed technologies, such as EPAs being replacements for VPN and PR as a replacement for PAM, so I can't mention only one valuable feature. Overall, Zscaler Private Access is a good solution.
What needs improvement?
Everything looks good in Zscaler Private Access, but the issue my team faced with it was the inability to find subscriptions on the portal. That caused some difficulties, so it would be better if the Zscaler team made it easier for people to find subscriptions on the portal, mainly information on what my customers subscribed to or the type of licenses purchased.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with Zscaler Private Access for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Zscaler Private Access is pretty stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Zscaler Private Access is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
Primarily for Zscaler Private Access, I only require ten percent technical support if the architecture is complex or if there is some restriction while reading the logs. I've contacted the technical support team, and I didn't face any issues with support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used Symantec before using Zscaler Private Access, and I switched from Symantec to Zscaler because my company switched.
How was the initial setup?
Zscaler Private Access can be complex because you first need to understand how application segments work. You'll also need to understand server service, app connector groups, and deploying an app connector. The connection between all the components can be confusing, but it's only for first-time deployment, so overall, it is okay. Later on, you only have to troubleshoot the policy side.
Setting up Zscaler Private Access can be confusing.
Deploying the solution could take one day.
What about the implementation team?
I did the deployment for Zscaler Private Access, an in-house deployment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
My company is a Zscaler Private Access partner, so the customers pay for the license fees.
What other advice do I have?
I deployed a project with eight thousand Zscaler Private Access users, but apart from that, I've given support to other projects with fifty thousand users of the solution.
There's no plan to increase the number of users for Zscaler Private Access.
I'd recommend the solution to others.
My rating for Zscaler Private Access is eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Network Analyst II at a consumer goods company with 501-1,000 employees
Great cloud based solution, one click deployment, with stable environment
Pros and Cons
- "Yes, it is very stable. I have never seen it go down, not once."
- "Conflicts arise if you do not have the same management teams on the product."
What is our primary use case?
We have found that Zscaler SASE is a good product and we use it as a proxy.
What is most valuable?
Zscaler SASE is probably the number one cloud-based proxy security solution. Just on name recognition alone, I would say that is the main value it is bringing right now.
What needs improvement?
The management of the product has to be clearly defined or they will conflict. Sometimes you have to add bypass rules allowing specific websites access for internal purposes or for it to completely bypass altogether. Make sure that it is the same teams who are managing the firewalls and the product. They should all be on the same team. If you have two teams managing it separately, you are going to run into a lot of problems.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zscaler SASE for the past three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable. I have never seen it go down, not once, but then again I do not manage that portion specifically.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Zscaler SASE looks to be scalable to me. We have about seven hundred and fifty using it in the USA and two hundred in Europe.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were using another product before switching over to Zscaler SASE because it is number one.
How was the initial setup?
It is pretty straightforward and does not create any major challenges. You whitelist specific URLs to either be allowed or to be bypassed.
What about the implementation team?
We do deployment in-house. It is just a click and that is it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is expensive and on the higher end. Honestly, in my opinion, it is not worth the price.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Zscaler SASE an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
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Updated: October 2024
Product Categories
ZTNA as a Service Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB) Application Control Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)Popular Comparisons
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Download our free Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
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