Zscaler has launched Zscaler Cellular, a pioneering Zero Trust SIM‑based security solution designed to protect IoT and OT devices without requiring traditional VPNs or additional software. Activating cloud‑grade security is as simple as inserting the SIM—devices automatically connect to any cellular network worldwide, while all traffic is routed through Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange for robust isolation and protection .

This marks a dramatic shift from legacy models that rely on expensive hardware, static firewalls, or cumbersome VPN and software-agent setups—which often struggle to scale in dynamic, distributed environments. Zscaler Cellular ensures each device operates within its own private network “island,” minimizing exposure and closing off potential attack vectors .

Enterprise partners are already deploying the solution. Sandvik and Maverick Transportation have implemented Zscaler Cellular to secure devices at remote sites, bypassing manual network setups and VPN software installs. According to Maverick’s IT head, the SIM-based approach “improved employee experience, maintained protection, and eliminated the need for software agents or VPNs”. Strategic collaboration with telecom giants—such as Stacuity and BT—integrates Zero Trust policies directly into mobile networks at scale. This telco‑embedded edge ensures secure, resilient connectivity without reliance on customers’ internal infrastructure .

Nathan Howe, Group VP for Emerging Technologies at Zscaler, emphasized the solution’s simplicity: “An easy ‘install and go’ SIM card that securely connects to any cellular network” allows organizations to extend Zero Trust controls to IoT fleets globally . Zeus Kerravala, security analyst, described Zscaler Cellular as “the first solution I’ve seen that brings cloud‑scale security to every connected device—with the simplicity of activating a SIM” .

Global availability is slated for August 2025. As IoT and OT devices proliferate across industries—including logistics, energy, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure—Zscaler Cellular offers a scalable, secure, and elegant alternative to VPN-heavy deployments. By combining SIM-based connectivity with Zero Trust rigor, Zscaler is setting a new benchmark in cybersecurity for mobile, remote, and edge-connected environments.