Zscaler has unveiled Zscaler Cellular, its pioneering SIM‑based, Zero Trust solution designed for IoT and OT devices, eliminating the need for software or VPNs while enabling secure and resilient global connectivity. The innovation leverages a simple data‑only SIM card that connects devices to any cellular network worldwide and routes all traffic through the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™, effectively isolating each device on its own private “island” and creating a zero-attack surface. Nathan Howe, Group VP of Emerging Technologies at Zscaler, emphasized this evolution in the company’s security model, stating, “Zscaler pioneered Zero Trust architecture; first with the introduction of Zero Trust for Users, then with Zero Trust for Cloud, followed by Zero Trust for Branch… With the introduction of Zscaler Cellular, we have extended the power of the Zero Trust Exchange to IoT and OT devices with an easy ‘install and go’ SIM card…”.
Also Read: LambdaTest deepens collaboration with strategic partner Appium
The solution addresses critical gaps in traditional firewall or VPN‑based models, which struggle with scale and leave devices exposed in mobile or distributed settings. Brian Shelby, Director of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity at Maverick Transportation, shared practical insights: “The solution allowed us to create device‑bound authentication through Zscaler… our Zero Trust policies are enforced through the Zscaler Cellular Edge. The lines are gone, the employee experience is better, our business is still protected, and we don’t need a software agent or VPN on the device.”. Zscaler is collaborating with telecom partners—such as Stacuity and BT—to embed this secure, scalable architecture directly into cellular networks, enabling managed security services that support digital transformation across dispersed environments. As Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research, remarked, “It’s the first solution I’ve seen that brings cloud‑scale security to every connected device—with the simplicity of activating a SIM.”. Zscaler Cellular is set for global availability in August 2025 and is already in use by prominent organizations such as Sandvik and Maverick Transportation, with further customer rollouts expected.