Cato Socket
Purpose-built appliances at physical locations connecting to the nearest Cato PoP over available internet transports.
SASE Professional Services
Cato Networks SASE Architecture, Deployment & Managed Services
Complete design, deployment, and co-managed operations for Cato's converged networking and security platform.
Unlike approaches that bolt SD-WAN and security together from separate products, Cato built a single-pass cloud engine that runs SD-WAN, firewall, secure web gateway, CASB, IPS, ZTNA, and threat prevention as integrated capabilities in the same platform.
Cato managed services partner with production experience operating enterprise SASE environments.
SASE Architecture
Converged networking and security delivered from a global cloud platform
Cato Networks has most fully realized the SASE vision with a single-pass cloud engine that runs SD-WAN, firewall, secure web gateway, CASB, IPS, ZTNA, and threat prevention as integrated capabilities.
The Challenge
Traditional networking and security architectures no longer work. Applications have moved to SaaS and cloud. Users work from everywhere. The perimeter has dissolved — and routing all traffic through a hub for security inspection creates performance bottlenecks and operational complexity.
Applications moved to SaaS and cloud
Users accessing systems from personal devices and home networks
Branch offices need direct cloud access, not hairpinned through data centers
Traditional hub-and-spoke creates performance bottlenecks
Cato's SASE Architecture
Cato operates a global network of cloud-based Points of Presence interconnected by a private backbone optimized for performance.
Cato Client
Lightweight agent connecting remote users directly to the nearest Cato PoP with the same security enforcement as office users.
Unified Management
Single-pane-of-glass management console for all networking and security policy — one console, one policy engine, one event log.
Deployment Process
Six-phase deployment from assessment through Aegis operational onboarding.
1
Assessment and Design
Document existing WAN and security stack, design Cato architecture and migration plan.
2
Tenant Configuration
Configure Cato tenant with network topology, security policies, ZTNA applications, and identity integration.
3
Pilot and Full Rollout
Deploy Sockets at pilot sites, validate performance, then execute full site rollout and Cato Client deployment.
Key Capabilities
Complete SASE architecture and operational services.
Network Architecture & Site Design
Socket placement, transport configuration, PoP selection, and cloud connectivity integration.
Security Policy Design
Unified security policy: firewall rules, URL filtering, application control, IPS, and DNS security.
ZTNA Design & Application Onboarding
Identity-based application access, identity provider integration, and VPN migration.
Operational Outcomes
- WAN and security consolidated into single cloud-native platform
- Consistent security enforcement for office, remote, and branch users
- MPLS circuits retired where applicable — reduced WAN operating costs
- Legacy branch security appliances eliminated
- Application performance improved through Cato's private backbone
- Complete unified visibility into network and security events
Ideal Fit
- Organizations evaluating SASE and want to understand Cato's architecture specifically
- Have both SD-WAN and security architecture to address
- Replacing aging branch firewall hardware
- Remote user populations on legacy VPN needing zero-trust access
- Want to reduce operational complexity of separate networking and security platforms
Platform Comparison
Cato vs. Piecemeal SASE vs. VMware VeloCloud + Palo Alto
Understanding the architectural tradeoffs between single-platform SASE and best-of-breed integration.
Cato Networks
Single-Platform SASE
Networking and security built on the same engine. One management console, one policy framework, one event log.
Best Fit
Organizations prioritizing operational simplicity — smaller IT teams, high site counts, desire to eliminate branch security hardware.
Tradeoffs
Proprietary platform — you adopt Cato's implementation rather than purpose-built components from specialized vendors.
Piecemeal SASE
SD-WAN + Security Integration
SD-WAN from one vendor + security from another, integrated at policy or API level.
Best Fit
Organizations wanting flexibility to choose best tool for each function.
Tradeoffs
Integration complexity, multiple management planes, operational overhead of coordinating between vendors.
VMware VeloCloud + Palo Alto
Best-of-Breed Alternative
VMware's SD-WAN capabilities and Palo Alto's security depth, managed as integrated solution.
Best Fit
Organizations with deep VMware or Palo Alto expertise and investments wanting component-level specialization.
Tradeoffs
Requires more architectural integration than Cato but preserves specialized vendor capabilities.
Why IVI
Cato managed services partner with enterprise production experience
Production SASE Experience
Operating Cato environments at enterprise scale since before SASE became a marketing category.
Operational Depth
We understand where Cato excels, where it requires configuration expertise, and how to manage it with enterprise rigor.
Aegis Co-Management
Complete operational ownership through our proven co-managed services framework.
Honest Platform Guidance
We design on both Cato and VMware/Palo Alto based on your specific requirements, not partnership profitability.
Unbiased Recommendations
Our recommendation is based on your environment, operational model, and security requirements.
Multi-Platform Expertise
Deep experience with both single-platform SASE and best-of-breed architectures.
Related Resources
Related Resources
Review related solution pages, supporting materials, and additional resources that help explain where this solution fits and how it can be applied.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cato Networks SASE deployment and management.
Is Cato really better than deploying purpose-built SD-WAN and NGFW separately?
Better is context-dependent. Cato is definitively simpler to operate — one platform, one console, one policy framework. For organizations where operational simplicity is a priority — smaller IT teams, high site counts, desire to eliminate branch security hardware — Cato delivers significant operational value that best-of-breed integration can't match. For organizations with deep Palo Alto or VMware expertise and investments, a best-of-breed architecture may deliver more security depth and architectural control.
We have legacy MPLS contracts with years remaining. Does that block a Cato deployment?
No. Cato can run over MPLS as one of its transport options during the transition period. Sites with active MPLS contracts operate with Cato Socket using MPLS plus broadband in an active/active or active/standby configuration. As contracts expire, MPLS is retired and the Cato environment continues on broadband and LTE.
How does Cato perform for latency-sensitive applications compared to MPLS?
Cato's private backbone — its global PoP network — provides consistently low-latency paths that often match or exceed MPLS for cloud-bound traffic. For on-premises-to-on-premises traffic, Cato routes over its backbone rather than the public internet, providing predictable performance. We measure latency for your critical applications in the pilot phase to validate performance before full rollout.
We have a compliance requirement to inspect encrypted traffic. Does Cato handle TLS inspection?
Yes. Cato performs TLS inspection in the PoP as part of its single-pass processing. TLS inspection policy is configured centrally and applies consistently across all sites and users — unlike branch firewall-based TLS inspection, which requires configuration and certificate management at each appliance. We design TLS inspection policy to balance security requirements against application compatibility and privacy considerations.
What is the Socket hardware lifecycle? Do we have to manage hardware refreshes?
Cato Socket appliances are included in the Cato subscription — hardware replacement as part of the service is available through the appropriate subscription tier. In our co-managed SASE service, IVI coordinates Socket firmware updates and any hardware replacement requirements as part of Aegis operations.
How does Cato Client deployment work for remote users?
Cato Client is deployed through your existing MDM platform with centralized configuration and policy. We manage the rollout sequencing and user communication, including migration from existing VPN client software. Remote users get the same SASE enforcement as office users without VPN hairpinning through corporate hubs.