Zscaler’s FedRAMP Platforms: Hyperscaling Compliance and Security to meet Federal Requirements

Introduction

The US federal government chose Zscaler to secure federal and defense data when Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity (E.O. 14028) mandated that the nation transition to zero trust. As a FedRAMP-authorized, cloud native platform, Zscaler replaces outdated technologies with a modern secure access service edge (SASE). By integrating a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zscaler prevents unauthorized access, protects sensitive data, and delivers real-time threat defense. With a NIST 800-53 compliant cybersecurity platform and technologies that helps the federal government and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) meet NIST 800-53 compliance, Zscaler ensures top-tier security in and out of the cloud, while enhancing performance and scalability. 

On average, Zscaler customers experience a 300% growth in cloud-bound traffic every year! Does your capacity plan account for this growth across hundreds or thousands of remote branches? In three years and beyond? Predictions like these are not just about routine operations. Doing the cloud-on-your-own approach also forces you to guess right for accommodating sudden, unplanned spikes in bandwidth that cause slowdowns, frustrating users and customers alike. Zscaler’s elastic scalability resolves these issues.

Zscaler Equals Both NIST Cybersecurity and Compliance

By integrating zero trust, SASE, and AI-driven security enforcement, Zscaler ensures organizations handling FedRAMP Moderate and High authorized data remain fully compliant with NIST 800-53 security controls from a platform and product utility perspective. Zscaler’s real-time monitoring, automated threat response, and granular access control create an unparalleled security framework that meets the demands of modern law enforcement and government agencies.

Access control (AC)

Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) enforces Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), granting least-privileged, context-aware access to approved apps only. Microsegmentation prevents unauthorized access, blocking lateral threats.

Auditing and accountability (AU)

Zscaler delivers real-time logging and analytics to meet CJIS audit requirements. Its Cloud Log Streaming Service integrates with SIEMs like Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel, ensuring full visibility, anomaly detection, and compliance reporting.

Configuration management (CM)

Zscaler automates policy enforcement and security updates, preventing misconfigurations and shadow IT risks. The Zscaler Policy Engine ensures secure configurations, aligning with NIST 800-53 compliance.

Incident Response (IR)

Zscaler’s Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and sandboxing instantly detect and block ransomware, phishing, and malware. Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) stops external threats, while Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) isolates critical applications, preventing breaches and lateral movement. Automated policies ensure rapid response to security incidents.

Identification and authentication (IA)

Zscaler integrates with MFA and identity providers (IdPs) like Okta and Microsoft Entra ID, enforcing continuous authentication based on user, device, and risk signals. This eliminates static credentials and strengthens identity security.

Systems and communications protection (SC)

With end-to-end encryption, SSL/TLS inspection, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Zscaler prevents data exfiltration, MitM attacks, and unauthorized data transfers—securing CJI in transit and at rest.

Zscaler Addresses Key Security and Compliance Challenges for Fed Agencies and CSPs

Zscaler effectively addresses critical security and compliance challenges for federal agencies and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) by leveraging its best-of-breed secure access service edge (SASE) technology. This modern approach surpasses the limitations of legacy VPNs and traditional hardware through several key strategies:

Data security

• Data loss prevention (DLP): Zscaler's DLP capabilities prevent unauthorized sharing of sensitive information, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), ensuring compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.​

Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)

• Continuous verification: By implementing a Zero Trust, Zscaler ensures that every user and device is continuously authenticated and authorized, mitigating unauthorized access and lateral movement within networks. This approach aligns with standards such as NIST 800-53 and FedRAMP.​

Cloud visibility (CASB)

• Comprehensive Monitoring: Zscaler's Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) functionality provides real-time visibility and control over cloud service usage, securing sensitive assets across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.​

Real-time monitoring

• Proactive threat detection: The platform offers continuous monitoring and automated threat detection, enabling proactive responses to vulnerabilities and attacks.

Real-World Examples:

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): 
  • By replacing traditional Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) with Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange, the FCC achieved a 70% reduction in costs and improved user experience by eliminating reliance on VPNs. ​ 
• U.S. Government Civilian Agency: 
  • This agency cut incident investigation time by 50% and accelerated AWS GovCloud migration by adopting Zscaler's zero trust approach, eliminating traditional firewalls and VPNs to reduce IT burdens, risk, and costs. ​ 
• State of Oklahoma: 
  • The state consolidated over 100 agencies Zscaler’s zero trust architecture, blocking 394,652 threats and preventing 17.6 million policy violations in a three-month period. Additionally, access to private applications became up to six times faster compared to traditional VPNs. 

Act Now: Secure Your Cloud Future with SASE

As cloud adoption accelerates, organizations face mounting pressure to protect sensitive data, meet regulatory standards, and counter sophisticated cyber threats. Secure access service edge (SASE) offers a cloud native, unified solution to tackle these challenges by integrating key security components—Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and threat protection—into a single framework.

Modern security requires proactive measures. Schedule a meeting today to explore how SASE can enhance compliance, protect sensitive data, and safeguard your organization’s future.