Zscaler, Inc. the leader in cloud security, has announced the general availability of Zscaler Cellular, a groundbreaking innovation that transforms every SIM-connected device into a fully protected endpoint using Zero Trust—no agents, no hardware, and no backhaul complexity. This powerful service marks a quantum leap forward in extending the AI-powered Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™, the world’s largest cloud security platform, to the continuously expanding world of mobile and IoT devices.
With only a cellular SIM card, organizations can now deliver full Zero Trust Everywhere—visibility, control, and protection—to any cellular-connected device, anyplace in the world, over more than 520 mobile networks. From connected sensors and scanners to vehicles and smart infrastructure, Zscaler Cellular simplifies security and removes the traditional barriers that have left millions of devices vulnerable.
“This is another example of how we are extending Zero Trust Everywhere to protect organizations anywhere,” said Nathan Howe, Group VP of Emerging Technologies at Zscaler.
“By extending the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange into cellular networks, we’ve created a global, clientless security platform that simplifies and strengthens the security for the next wave of connected devices. Zscaler Cellular isn’t bolted on—it’s built in.”
Security Gap That Can No Longer Be Ignored
As enterprises continue their rapid deployment of connected devices everywhere, from factory floors to freight trucks to smart cities, traditional network-based security models are simply not built for today’s highly-mobile and distributed demands. Devices often operate beyond the reach of firewalls, VPNs, and agents. They’re out of sight, out of control—and wide open to threats.
Legacy approaches rely on costly backhaul connectivity architecture and infrastructure that cannot scale at the speed of business. Concurrently, mobile networks themselves, while robust, aren’t inherently designed to enforce enterprise-grade application-level policies or Zero Trust principles. This lack of visibility and control creates massive security blind spots and expands attack surfaces giving bad actors the opportunity to strike.
Given this situation, enterprises often struggle to apply consistent policy enforcement, secure data flows, or respond to threats that cross borders on cellular connections.
Embedding Zero Trust SIM to Initiate Security at the First Packet
Zscaler Cellular eliminates these challenges by embedding Zero Trust protection into the SIM itself. Every packet of data from a cellular-connected device is evaluated at the first connection, providing real-time policy enforcement and routing through Zscaler’s global cloud-native security platform.
Key capabilities include:
● Complete traffic visibility — See and control every connection, device behavior, and application session, regardless of geography.
● Clientless control — No software agents or additional infrastructure required. Just activate the SIM and go.
● Global protection — Secure and manage your cellular estate across continents with one unified Zero Trust policy.
● Streamlined infrastructure — Eliminate firewalls, VPNs, and private backhaul networks while reducing risk and operational overhead.
Three ways to unify Zero Trust with Zscaler Cellular
Zscaler Cellular provides uniform security via the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange in three service offerings. It can be deployed with existing cellular providers, through an end-to-end service from Zscaler or as a campus solution for organisations that are looking to replace their Wi-Fi ecosystem with a high speed, low latency solution based on 5G. To deliver this Zero Trust functionality, Zscaler has built the Zscaler Cellular Edge enabling the direct path to the security cloud platform. Rather than the heavy lift of previous network configurations, one unified Zero
Trust policy secures all cellular data streams via the Zero Trust Exchange. As well as simplifying the set-up, this enables Zscaler to give secure connectivity, protection and visibility via one unified approach that serves a multitude of customer use cases.
Real-World Use Cases: From the Highways to the Factory Floor
Maverick Transportation has built its reputation on safety, technology, and innovation, specializing in flatbed, glass, and marine transportation with over 1,500 trucks and 2,000 dedicated employees across the central and eastern United States.
Zscaler Cellular solved our long-standing challenge: how to effectively secure IoT and mobile devices at our clients’ and customers’ properties we operate in where we have no control of the networking options provided or the operating environment without adding software agents or using remote access VPNs.
Brian Shelby
By partnering with Zscaler, Maverick has revolutionized its IT landscape through a zero trust security model, improving employee digital experiences, reducing cyber risks, and optimizing connectivity across corporate staff, drivers, and industrial work sites. With the introduction of Zscaler Cellular, Maverick has further enhanced security and connectivity for IoT and mobile devices, delivering an improved, resilient digital environment for employees and drivers while continuing to innovate toward a safer and more efficient future.
“Zscaler Cellular solved our long-standing challenge: how to effectively secure IoT and mobile devices at our clients’ and customers’ properties we operate in where we have no control of the networking options provided or the operating environment without adding software agents or using remote access VPNs,” said Brian Shelby, Director of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity from Maverick. “The solution allowed us to create device-bound authentication through Zscaler.
This became our test case, and after equipping kiosks with Zscaler Cellular, 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.”
Similarly, global manufacturing giants are securing connected tablets and handheld scanners inside production facilities—without the need for exposed infrastructure or complex VPN configurations.
By leveraging Zscaler Cellular, Zero Trust is no longer limited to endpoints with clients or enterprise-controlled networks. It is now truly everywhere. “Zscaler Cellular represents a significant advancement in IoT and mobile security,” said Zeus Kerravala, founder and principal analyst, ZK Research. “By embedding Zero Trust directly into the cellular network, Zscaler helps eliminate longstanding visibility and control gaps that have plagued enterprises for years. 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 available globally in July 2025. The solution is already in use by leading organizations including Sandvik and Maverick Transportation, with additional reference customers to be announced.
(This was adapted from a press release)
