In a strategic move to bolster its secure access capabilities, Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), a leader in connectivity cloud solutions, has announced the acquisition of BastionZero, a platform dedicated to Zero Trust infrastructure access.
This acquisition aims to enhance Cloudflare One, the company’s secure access service edge (SASE) platform, providing stronger remote access to critical IT systems for its customers.
Integrating BastionZero’s technology with Cloudflare One will empower IT and security teams with Zero Trust control over infrastructure resources such as servers, Kubernetes clusters, and databases.
Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, highlighted the evolving work landscape: “The world of work has changed dramatically. Employees expect to work effectively from anywhere. Incorporating BastionZero into Cloudflare One provides secure access to an organisation’s most critical systems, wherever they are. Millions of organisations trust Cloudflare to protect their systems and data, allowing them to focus on their business and customers. The addition of BastionZero enhances our protection capabilities uniquely.”
This expansion goes beyond the traditional VPN replacement solutions, allowing security teams to centralise the management of their hybrid IT environments while maintaining the productivity and security of DevOps teams.
Traditional virtual private network (VPN) security setups often grant developers and systems architects overly permissive and long-lived access to sensitive systems. In the context of hybrid work, this approach has become increasingly risky and outdated, impeding the secure deployment of new systems and the ability to adapt swiftly to business changes.
The acquisition promises several key benefits for hybrid and remote IT teams, including:
- Increased Security: Eliminating long-lived passwords and credentials facilitates adherence to Zero Trust principles.
- Increased Compliance: Implement just-in-time permissions for accessing core systems and servers, with identity-aware logging and centralized policy controls.
- Increased Control: Access to information and systems is granted only when needed, thanks to just-in-time policy options.
- Reduced Complexity: Removal of legacy security patches and streamlined access across complex infrastructure with enhanced policy controls and observability.
Sharon Goldberg, Co-founder and CEO of BastionZero, emphasised the importance of scalable and secure remote access: “Home-grown solutions often create security risks and operational costs. This acquisition integrates BastionZero’s unique cryptographic approach for passwordless infrastructure access into the world’s largest SASE network. We’re excited to join Cloudflare in providing Zero Trust access to critical infrastructure assets.”
Launched in 2020, Cloudflare One has rapidly become a leading platform for secure access service edge (SASE) and security service edge (SSE) services. It ensures that only authorized employees can access internal systems and data, minimizing the burden on employees. This acquisition further extends Cloudflare’s security capabilities in the growing SASE market.
According to Gartner, the SASE market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 29 per cent over the next five years, reaching over $25 billion by 2027. This growth underscores the increasing demand for secure access solutions in a hybrid work environment.
