Cato Networks Introduces Revolutionary SASE-native LAN NGFW to Eliminate Firewall Patching Challenges

Introducing the Cato SASE-native LAN NGFW

Cato Networks, an industry leader in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions, has made headlines with its groundbreaking announcement of the world's first SASE-native LAN Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW). This innovative firewall aims to eliminate the cumbersome process of manual patching, closing security gaps that have long plagued traditional firewalls.

The End of Patching Nightmares

Firewall management has consistently posed challenges for IT departments, with patching being one of the biggest headaches. According to Ofir Agasi, Vice President of Product Management at Cato Networks, patching is often a costly and time-consuming endeavor that can leave enterprises vulnerable to cyber threats. Existing legacy firewall vendors have faced an alarming average of over 20 high and critical vulnerabilities annually, forcing IT teams into emergency mode to mitigate risks before incidents occur.

By introducing the Cato LAN NGFW, organizations can breathe a sigh of relief. The new firewall comes as a native feature of the Cato SASE Cloud Platform, which means no additional hardware is required, making deployment easier and cost-effective. It offers a self-updating and self-maintaining system, ensuring that companies are always protected without the chaos of manual interventions.

Technology Behind the Cato LAN NGFW

The Cato LAN NGFW is a sophisticated solution designed to converge multiple firewall functionalities—covering internet, site-to-site, and local area network (LAN) security—into a single manageable interface. This convergence allows for streamlined policy enforcement and provides IT teams with deep visibility across networks. Cato’s latest innovation has demonstrated nearly perfect protection during independent security efficacy tests conducted by recognized security assessment organizations like Frost & Sullivan.

Addressing the 55-day Patch Gap

One of the most critical challenges the Cato LAN NGFW tackles is the infamous 55-day patch gap identified in the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). Organizations typically take an average of 55 days to fix 50% of critical vulnerabilities, which drastically increases exposure to potential breaches. With the Cato LAN NGFW, the risks associated with delayed patching and faulty updates are significantly mitigated, providing businesses with the peace of mind they need to operate securely.

Meeting Compliance and Security Needs

Furthermore, the Cato LAN NGFW is not just about eliminating patching burdens; it also enables enterprises to succinctly meet compliance requirements for localized traffic control. This is particularly important for companies that must adhere to strict regulations regarding LAN traffic isolation. By allowing businesses to transition from outdated firewalls to this state-of-the-art NGFW, Cato is empowering organizations to enforce security policies locally and efficiently.

Simplifying Security Across Distributed Environments

In today’s distributed work environments, providing reliable security across multiple locations can be complex. The Cato LAN NGFW simplifies this by ensuring consistent, application-aware security without necessitating additional hardware. It supports Zero Trust models across all locations, ensuring that organizations can confidently modify their security postures as needed without falling back on outdated technology.

A Future-Ready Solution

As enterprise environments continually evolve, so must the security mechanisms that protect them. The Cato LAN NGFW stands at the forefront of this evolution, promising to revolutionize how businesses approach firewall management and security enforcement. To celebrate this launch, Cato Networks will be showcased at the Tech Show London’s Cloud & AI Infrastructure 2025 on March 12-13, further demonstrating how the organization is leading innovation in the cybersecurity landscape.

In conclusion, the introduction of the Cato LAN NGFW marks a significant shift towards a more secure, efficient approach to network management, heralding a future where patching is a thing of the past.