Brenda Marie Rivers
Zscaler will help the Defense Innovation Unit to develop a prototype zero-trust framework that will enable over 500K Department of Defense users to access software-as-a-service applications off-network, FedScoop reported Monday.
The one-year pilot effort began last week and is meant to establish a software-defined perimeter called Zero Trust Network Access that will let DIU users leverage Google applications as well as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft's Azure cloud from remote locations and various devices.
Drew Schnabel, vice president of the federal business at Zscaler, said the prototype will work to help civilian contractors and active-duty personnel such as National Guard reservists secure their network access while integrating other capabilities in the cloud.
According to Schnabel, the use of virtual private networks are still “inherent with security vulnerabilities†and that DIU needs to deploy secure cloud management technologies.
DIU received over 30 bids for the effort after issuing the solicitation in November and selected Zscaler, McAfee and Google for piloting activities in March.
