Ensuring a robust cybersecurity posture was relatively straightforward when employees worked exclusively from the office. However, with the rise of remote and hybrid work models, the growing adoption of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and increased direct access to cloud and web applications, traditional security architectures are reaching their limits.

A recent global study conducted by Omdia for Palo Alto Networks highlights this evolving risk landscape: over the next 24 months, web and SaaS application usage is expected to increase by 50%, while more than 85% of workloads will be conducted via web browsers—11% of which will be for personal use. Additionally, nearly 90% of organizations now allow employees and contractors to access corporate applications from personal devices.

 

 

In this environment, legacy VPNs and first-generation ZTNA solutions fail to deliver the necessary security for today’s hybrid workforce. Modern, cloud-first enterprises require direct, secure access to applications while minimizing attack surfaces—all without compromising performance or user experience.

To address these challenges, Datanet Systems delivers Palo Alto Prisma Access, a Security Service Edge (SSE) solution that provides organizations with secure, seamless connectivity to networks and applications for all users, regardless of location.

 

Security Challenges in the Evolving IT Landscape

 

Traditionally, IT security relied on a centralized model where office networks connected to a data center, where traffic was inspected and secured using tools such as proxies, IPS, AV, DNS, and CASB. This approach provided strong control over access to applications and data but was dependent on on-premises infrastructure.

Today, the security paradigm has shifted. Employees access applications directly from anywhere, dissolving the traditional security perimeter and significantly increasing the attack surface. Instead of routing traffic through a centralized security gateway, network activity is now distributed across multiple cloud services and devices, making policy enforcement more complex and increasing the risk of breaches.

At the same time, the proliferation of security solutions designed to mitigate evolving threats has led to increased operational complexity. Managing disparate security tools hinders both threat prevention and incident response. In a hybrid work environment where users require direct access to applications, traditional security models are no longer effective.

With Prisma Access, organizations can modernize their security approach, ensuring comprehensive protection, simplified operations, and a seamless user experience in an increasingly decentralized digital world.

 

Key Challenges in the Modern Security Landscape:

• Cloud Dependency – The widespread adoption of cloud-based applications for storage, collaboration, and data processing introduces new challenges around data privacy, access control, and regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR). Managing multiple cloud environments—each with its own security framework—adds complexity and increases the risk of misconfigurations.
• Shadow IT & Unauthorized Technology – Employees frequently deploy IT solutions without IT or security team oversight, creating significant risk exposure. Unauthorized cloud environments, overly permissive IAM settings, and the use of unsecured third-party applications can all serve as entry points for cyber threats.
• Limited Visibility – As organizations expand and employees access cloud applications from anywhere, monitoring network traffic and identifying threats becomes increasingly difficult. Security teams often lack the transparency needed for timely incident response. Gartner predicts that by 2027, 75% of employees will procure or develop technology without IT department involvement, further complicating security operations.
• Proliferation of Mobile Devices – The shift to a mobile-first strategy and increased reliance on mobile applications introduce new attack vectors. Cybercriminals are leveraging QR code phishing to evade traditional security filters, while SMS-based attacks have proven more effective than email-based threats. Additionally, the accessibility of mobile spyware and ransomware on the dark web and open-source platforms makes device compromise easier than ever.

 

In today’s dynamic digital environment, traditional security models are no longer sufficient. Organizations need a modern, adaptive security strategy – one that seamlessly integrates with cloud environments, ensures end-to-end visibility, and protects users and data regardless of location or device.

 

Seamless, Secure Access to All Applications – Anywhere  

 

Providing secure, reliable access to applications for all users—regardless of location or device—can be a complex challenge. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access simplifies this with a Security Service Edge (SSE) platform that ensures consistent, high-performance security while reducing risk across hybrid work environments.

Built on ZTNA 2.0, Prisma Access delivers advanced, adaptive security without compromising user experience. The platform enforces granular access controls and continuously monitors user behavior—even after authentication—to minimize the attack surface and prevent threats in real time.

Prisma Access secures all applications, whether on-premises, SaaS, cloud-native, or legacy, with deep, continuous security inspection and zero-day threat protection—ensuring that all traffic remains secure without impacting performance.

With a unified Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy, Prisma Access also provides end-to-end visibility and data security, enabling organizations to safeguard both access and sensitive information across their entire digital ecosystem.

Prisma Access has earned a five-star rating on Gartner Peer Insights, with 93% of users recommending it to other organizations. This recognition reflects its ability to deliver unparalleled security and performance in today’s complex digital landscape. Designed from the ground up on ZTNA 2.0 principles, Prisma Access ensures continuous trust verification through advanced security capabilities:

• App-ID continuously classifies all applications, regardless of port, SSL/TLS encryption, or attacker evasion techniques, ensuring comprehensive visibility and control.
• User-ID integrates with a wide range of identity management solutions, enabling policies to dynamically follow users and groups across locations. This ensures consistent enforcement across WLAN controllers, VPNs, directory servers, proxies, and more.
• Device-ID applies security policies based on device attributes, such as OS version, to reduce the attack surface. Combined with App-ID and User-ID, it provides deep contextual insights into network activity.
  

To ensure real-time, always-on protection, Prisma Access incorporates continuous security inspection through key functionalities, including:

• Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) – Next-generation firewall (NGFW) protection for branch offices and distributed environments, delivering single-pass inspection across layers 3-7 for optimal security and performance.
• Cloud Secure Web Gateway (SWG) – AI/ML-powered protection for users accessing the internet and SaaS applications, enabling scalable, Zero Trust-based security for remote workforces.
  Advanced DNS Security – AI-driven detection of never-before-seen malicious domains and DNS hijacking attempts, providing proactive protection against emerging threats.
• Advanced Threat Prevention – Blocks exploits, malware, and command-and-control (C2) traffic with AI/ML-driven threat intelligence, neutralizing both known and unknown threats before they can execute.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – A cloud-native DLP engine that secures sensitive data across networks, endpoints, and email, ensuring consistent policy enforcement across all egress points.
• Next-Generation Cloud Access Security Broker (Next-Gen CASB) – The only natively integrated CASB that automatically adapts to the expanding SaaS landscape, offering SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM), real-time data protection, and API-based security to detect and mitigate threats before they escalate.
• Sandboxing (Advanced WildFire) – Industry-leading zero-day malware prevention, leveraging AI-driven threat analysis to stop advanced attacks before they reach users.
• IoT Security – ML-powered visibility, prevention, and policy enforcement for all connected devices, ensuring end-to-end protection across the enterprise.
• Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) – Establishes a secure, isolated browsing environment, preventing malicious files and zero-day web threats from impacting user devices.

 

Beyond security, Prisma Access also optimizes performance and reliability with built-in networking capabilities, including SD-WAN, tunnel mode, explicit proxy, Quality of Service (QoS), Autonomous Digital Experience Manager (ADEM), app acceleration, traffic replication, private app connections, and privileged remote access.

 

Licensing

 

The Prisma Access licensing model has been recently updated to better address the evolving demands of modern organizations. With this refined approach, the model offers the flexibility to meet the unique needs of any business, whether your applications are moving to the cloud, your workforce is operating remotely, or you’re seeking to enhance operational efficiency. The updated licensing options allow customers to access over 100 Prisma Access locations globally and take advantage of management console options through Strata Cloud Management and Panorama. The model provides three distinct licensing tiers: Business Premium (Secure Internet), ZTNA (Secure Private Apps), and Enterprise (Secure All Apps), ensuring organizations can select the best-fit package and functionality to align with their specific requirements.

 

Prisma Access with Datanet Systems

 

Datanet Systems is the first Platinum Romanian Partner of Palo Alto Networks, a prestigious designation earned in 2024. This partnership underscores both the technical proficiency of our team and our extensive experience working with Palo Alto Networks solutions. Our experts hold 14 certifications in Palo Alto Networks technologies, coupled with a wealth of experience in delivering complex security orchestration and automation projects across industries such as banking, IT services, software development, automation, and manufacturing. This Platinum partnership grants us direct access to the latest solutions, innovations, and best practices, all of which we apply to drive value for our clients.
As a trusted integrator, Datanet Systems continually broadens its cybersecurity portfolio to address a wide array of business challenges. Currently, we offer solutions from global cybersecurity leaders such as Cisco, F5, Fortinet, Juniper, and Splunk. This diverse range of technologies enables our specialists to continuously evolve and effectively manage complex projects integrating advanced solutions such as SSE, SASE, EDR, SIEM, and SOAR.

For more technical or commercial information about Prisma Access or any other Palo Alto Networks solutions, please do not hesitate to contact us at sales@datanets.ro.