Why Third-Party Testing Is Crucial\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n
Security vendors often tout their solutions\u2019 capabilities with synthetic tests or proprietary metrics. However, real-world effectiveness can only be validated through impartial testing by independent experts. Frost & Sullivan\u2019s involvement in this assessment ensures unbiased scrutiny, while the use of SafeBreach\u2019s simulation tool adds another layer of credibility. Unlike synthetic tests, SafeBreach replicates actual cyberattacks, offering insights into how a solution performs against the tactics employed by modern threat actors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
For enterprises, this is invaluable. Independent evaluations help decision-makers cut through marketing claims and focus on actionable metrics that align with their security priorities. The Frost & Sullivan report provides such clarity, showcasing how Cato\u2019s SASE platform holds up against advanced attack scenarios.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Overview of the Testing Framework\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n
Frost & Sullivan designed a series of tests to reflect the challenges faced by modern organizations. These scenarios emphasized three critical aspects:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
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- Strengthening the Perimeter:<\/strong> Evaluating the ability to block malware, Command & Control (C&C) communications, brute force attacks, exploitation of unpatched services, and covert malware injections before they penetrate the network.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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- Preventing Lateral Movement:<\/strong> Measuring how effectively the solution can stop attackers from navigating within the internal network through methods such as brute force attacks, malware propagation, credential stuffing, web shell deployment, and exploitation of known vulnerabilities.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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- Securing Outbound Traffic:<\/strong> Assessing data leak prevention capabilities to block unauthorized exfiltration attempts, including covert channel exploitation (e.g., DNS tunneling, encrypted payloads) and legitimate channel exfiltration (e.g., HTTPS, FTP anomalies).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.catonetworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/blog-graphics-4-1024x705.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nEach of these focus areas is aligned with the needs of today\u2019s distributed enterprises. The test setup included endpoints protected by the Cato SASE platform, with attacks routed through its security infrastructure. SafeBreach simulations provided a controlled environment to test various attack vectors, including malware transfers, brute force attempts, and covert data exfiltration tactics.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nFrost & Sullivan Cato SASE Cloud Platform Report | Download the report <\/span><\/a>\n\n
Results That Speak Volumes\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n
The results of the evaluation were compelling. Here\u2019s a breakdown:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
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- Network Perimeter Protection:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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- Without Cato\u2019s security features enabled, only 1% of simulated external threats were blocked.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- With Cato, the platform achieved a 100% block rate for malware transfers, C&C communications, brute force attacks, exploitation attempts on unpatched services, and covert malware injections, demonstrating a fortified perimeter defense.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- Internal Network Security:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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- Less than 1% of lateral movement attempts were blocked in the unprotected baseline tests.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- Enabling Cato\u2019s security features increased the block rate to 98%, effectively mitigating brute force attacks, remote exploitation attempts, malware propagation, credential stuffing, web shell deployments, and exploitation of known vulnerabilities.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- Data Exfiltration Prevention:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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- Only 2% of exfiltration attempts were blocked without Cato\u2019s defenses.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- With Cato, 99% of attempts\u2014including covert channel exploitation (e.g., DNS tunneling, HTTP header manipulation), legitimate channel exfiltration (e.g., FTP anomalies), and other sophisticated exfiltration methods\u2014were thwarted, showcasing robust data loss prevention.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.catonetworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/blog-graphics-3-1024x588.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nThese results underscore the transformative impact of deploying Cato\u2019s SASE solution. Across all scenarios, the platform not only met but exceeded expectations, proving its ability to safeguard enterprises against evolving threats.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
What This Means for Enterprises\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n
The Frost & Sullivan report highlights the importance of rigorous security validation. For organizations evaluating SASE solutions, independent testing offers a clear, objective measure of efficacy. The results demonstrate that Cato\u2019s platform is well-equipped to address the challenges posed by today\u2019s threat landscape, from advanced persistent threats to insider risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
By investing in solutions with proven capabilities, enterprises can:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
- With Cato, 99% of attempts\u2014including covert channel exploitation (e.g., DNS tunneling, HTTP header manipulation), legitimate channel exfiltration (e.g., FTP anomalies), and other sophisticated exfiltration methods\u2014were thwarted, showcasing robust data loss prevention.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Only 2% of exfiltration attempts were blocked without Cato\u2019s defenses.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Data Exfiltration Prevention:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
- Enabling Cato\u2019s security features increased the block rate to 98%, effectively mitigating brute force attacks, remote exploitation attempts, malware propagation, credential stuffing, web shell deployments, and exploitation of known vulnerabilities.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Less than 1% of lateral movement attempts were blocked in the unprotected baseline tests.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Internal Network Security:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
- With Cato, the platform achieved a 100% block rate for malware transfers, C&C communications, brute force attacks, exploitation attempts on unpatched services, and covert malware injections, demonstrating a fortified perimeter defense.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Without Cato\u2019s security features enabled, only 1% of simulated external threats were blocked.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Network Perimeter Protection:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
- Securing Outbound Traffic:<\/strong> Assessing data leak prevention capabilities to block unauthorized exfiltration attempts, including covert channel exploitation (e.g., DNS tunneling, encrypted payloads) and legitimate channel exfiltration (e.g., HTTPS, FTP anomalies).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
- Preventing Lateral Movement:<\/strong> Measuring how effectively the solution can stop attackers from navigating within the internal network through methods such as brute force attacks, malware propagation, credential stuffing, web shell deployment, and exploitation of known vulnerabilities.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n