Internet is the New Network: Insights from Zscaler’s Zenith ’24 Conference in The Hague

Attending Zscaler’s Zenith ’24 conference at The World Forum in The Hague was a remarkable opportunity to gain insights into the future of network security. It also happened to be the first conference I could walk to as it was quite literally "down the road" from our home. The event showcased Zscaler’s innovative approaches to transforming traditional corporate networks, particularly through the implementation of Zero Trust architecture.

Traditional network security models, often described as “castle and moat,” assume everything inside the network is secure while everything outside is not. This approach, much like defending a fortress in Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, is becoming obsolete in the face of modern cyber threats. Zero Trust architecture challenges this by adopting the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ensuring every user and device is continuously authenticated and authorized, with encrypted network traffic and minimal access privileges.

The conference highlighted several critical lessons. Zscaler’s CEO and founder, Jay Choudry, shared the company’s journey from a modest beginning to becoming a leader in cloud-based security, protecting millions of users globally. The pandemic underscored the importance of their approach, proving that “the internet is the new network.” Unilever’s CTO, Adam Raeburn-James, illustrated how their adoption of Zscaler’s Zero Trust model enabled a seamless transition to remote work during the pandemic. His insights emphasized the necessity of a robust security framework that can adapt to rapid changes and ensure continuous protection.

The event also provided valuable customer perspectives, stressing the importance of completing the Zero Trust journey to fully leverage its benefits. Strong leadership and clear strategic alignment are crucial for organizations to maintain momentum and achieve comprehensive security. These industry insights reinforce the need for a modernized approach to network security, ensuring resilience in an ever-evolving threat landscape.