In an era where digital transformation is redefining the way government and educational institutions operate, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions has never been more pressing. From smart city infrastructure and IoT-enabled classrooms to hybrid cloud networks and explosion in connected devices, the proliferation of connected assets brings tremendous productivity—but also significant risks. Cyber threats targeting devices, networks, and sensitive data in these environments have made security a top priority. Malicious actors have exploited outdated security models and architectures that are no longer adequate to compromise assets and move laterally. Enter the integration between Zscaler and Armis, an alliance designed to empower Governments as well as educational organizations to achieve secure digital transformation while driving agentless discovery and micro-segmentation.The Challenge of Securing Connected AssetsPublic sector organizations face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. Limited budgets, sprawling IT ecosystems, and diverse stakeholders make it difficult to maintain visibility over all connected devices, let alone protect them effectively. Modern environments rely extensively on IoT (Internet of Things) and OT (Operational Technology) assets—from surveillance cameras and smart lighting systems to HVAC controls and learning tools—all of which are frequently targeted by cyberattacks.Additionally, traditional networking and security solutions often lead to security gaps due to inherent trust principles around which these systems were designed, allowing malicious actors to infiltrate systems and move laterally to compromise sensitive devices and assets. Technology such as network access control (NAC) and software defined access attempted to address this but ultimately fell short due to the excessive amount of overhead these technologies placed on operations teams often leaving these technologies underdeployed or sitting on shelves. The question then becomes: How can organizations embrace agility while adhering to the principles of ZeroTrust?Zscaler + Armis: A Seamless SolutionThe Zscaler-Armis solution was forged with a shared vision: to simplify and enable secure connected environments. This integration combines the best of both worlds—Zscaler’s industry-leading secure access service edge (SASE) platform and Armis’ advanced visibility and intelligence. Here's how the joint solution addresses the pressing needs of government and education organizations:Comprehensive Visibility: Zscaler and Armis provide visibility into IoT, OT, and hybrid networks, uncovering connected devices and its behavior in real time. This capability ensures that no device goes unnoticed or unsecured.Continuous Device Protection: The solution actively protects against vulnerabilities and cyber threats by enabling real-time monitoring of connected devices, safeguarding sensitive devices and connected systems. Dynamic Agent-less Micro-Segmentation: Ability to isolate devices and apply granular security policies tailored to specific use cases such as IOT/OT segmentation. This uses Zscaler’s ability to natively deploy micro-segmentation between connected devices.Explore the joint Zscaler+Armis solution in more detail.See here for a full list of integrations with Zscaler Internet Access, Zscaler Private Access and Zero Trust Branch.Why This Matters and the Path ForwardFor Government Agencies, critical infrastructure protection is vital. Smart cities rely on IoT devices to monitor traffic, manage utilities, and deliver citizen services. Traditional securities solutions have not been adequate in protecting against breach and preventing lateral movement; one compromised device could lead to compromise in the entire system, disrupting critical infrastructure, causing both public and economic harm. Similarly, educational institutions face the challenge of segmenting large campus environments and ensuring building control systems and sensitive systems are isolated from User and BYOD devices.Governments and educational institutions face significant opportunities to enhance services, but these opportunities come with the critical challenge of managing cyber risks. Especially in today’s macro environment of tight budgets and constrained resources. Organizations need solutions that deliver strong security while remaining cost-effective and easy to deploy and easy to operationalize.Zscaler and Armis together offer an agentless, scalable solution which avoids overly complex systems that are difficult to implement; this approach also ensures organizations can strengthen security without adding unnecessary operational strain. By leveraging the unique architecture of Zscaler Zero Trust platform and Armis device intelligence, organizations can rapidly implement micro-segmentation at scale and create a safer, smarter future.ConclusionFor leaders and IT teams in government and education: securing connected devices requires a proactive, forward-thinking strategy. By leveraging the cutting-edge capabilities offered by Zscaler and Armis, organizations can achieve unparalleled device visibility, agent-less microsegmentation, and seamless operational efficiency while replacing technologies that are often hard to implement and operationalize such as NAC and SDA.Interested in learning more about how this partnership can work for your organization? Explore the Zscaler-Armis solution today and take the first step toward protecting what matters most.
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