Netskope expands Universal ZTNA for enhanced device security
Netskope has introduced new enhancements to its Universal Zero Trust Network Access (UZTNA) solution, aiming to improve secure access for all devices and users, including in complex business technology environments.
The UZTNA solution is composed of Netskope One Private Access and Netskope Device Intelligence. The updates extend the coverage beyond conventional remote secure access to provide deeper threat inspection and visibility across a wider range of devices, including those devices in operational technology environments that cannot run agent software such as certain industrial machines and robots.
Device intelligence
The device intelligence feature, now embedded in the UZTNA offering, allows for automatic discovery and classification of device risk. By integrating with third-party Network Access Control (NAC) vendors, the solution extends remediation and access controls not only to the north-south traffic between users and services, but also to the east-west traffic within a network segment. This capability aims to respond to the needs of organisations employing a mix of IT and operational technology devices.
Netskope's firewall capabilities, offered through Netskope One Gateway and Netskope One Security Service Edge (SSE), provide granular enforcement of zero trust policies. These policies are applied consistently to ensure security across multiple traffic flows, regardless of device origin or user location.
Unified threat and data protection
The enhancement introduces extended threat and data protection by inspecting private application traffic for both remote and on-site users. The advanced threat protection and data loss prevention (DLP) mechanisms, accessible through Netskope's common policy and management console, help organisations address security threats before they reach the network. This unified approach is designed to protect sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance.
Policy optimisation and automation
An AI-powered policy optimisation tool, recently announced as Copilot, now streamlines ZTNA management. The feature automates the creation of detailed access policies for applications it discovers, offering continuous refinement and auditing of configurations. This aims to reduce the complexity of policy management and facilitate faster ZTNA adoption by organisations.
Branch network coverage
Netskope's solution also supports branch network environments. Organisations are now able to host the ZTNA publisher directly on the 5G Netskope One Gateway, enabling consistent least-privilege enforcement across information technology, operational technology, and internet-of-things devices within these locations.
According to the 2024 Gartner Emerging Tech: Universal ZTNA Drives Secure Access Consolidation report, "Universal ZTNA is expected to experience more widespread adoption and grow more than 40% by 2027." Netskope has been highlighted in industry evaluations, ranking highest in the Private Application Access in the 2025 Gartner Critical Capabilities for Security Service Edge report, and also in the "Coffee Shop Networking" Use Case in the 2025 Critical Capabilities for SASE Platforms report.
"Legacy VPNs, NACs, and early ZTNA tools weren't designed for the scale, speed, or diversity of today's enterprises," said John Martin, Chief Product Officer, Netskope. "With Universal ZTNA, Netskope is redefining secure access by giving organisations one unified, consistent way to secure users and devices whether they are remote or on the local network. Through smarter, risk-based policies, embedded protection, and seamless performance, we're helping organisations cut complexity, reduce risk, and turn secure access into an enabler, rather than a barrier."
Netskope's Universal ZTNA solution, which brings together access management, device visibility, and policy automation, is available for customers seeking to streamline and upgrade their secure access control capabilities.
