Why Independent Security Testing Matters: Lessons from Cato SASE’s Efficacy Evaluation 

As adults, we rarely question the safety of the medicine we consume. This confidence stems from knowing that these products undergo rigorous, independent testing before reaching pharmacy shelves. Security solutions, especially those critical to enterprise operations, deserve the same level of scrutiny. Before trusting a platform to safeguard our data and systems, it’s essential to verify that it can counter the sophisticated threats we face today. Third-party testing provides this assurance, validating a solution’s capabilities under real-world conditions. 

A recent report from Frost & Sullivan exemplifies the value of such evaluations. Commissioned by Cato Networks, this study rigorously tested the security efficacy of the Cato SASE Cloud Platform. The evaluation leveraged SafeBreach, a leading breach and attack simulation tool, to measure the platform’s ability to detect and mitigate threats. This independent validation not only underscores the robustness of Cato’s security architecture but also sets a benchmark for transparency and accountability in cybersecurity. 

Why Third-Party Testing Is Crucial 

Security vendors often tout their solutions’ capabilities with synthetic tests or proprietary metrics. However, real-world effectiveness can only be validated through impartial testing by independent experts. Frost & Sullivan’s involvement in this assessment ensures unbiased scrutiny, while the use of SafeBreach’s 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. 

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’s SASE platform holds up against advanced attack scenarios. 

Overview of the Testing Framework 

Frost & Sullivan designed a series of tests to reflect the challenges faced by modern organizations. These scenarios emphasized three critical aspects: 

1. Strengthening the Perimeter: 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. 

2. Preventing Lateral Movement: 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. 

3. Securing Outbound Traffic: 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). 

Each of these focus areas is aligned with the needs of today’s 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. 

Results That Speak Volumes 

The results of the evaluation were compelling. Here’s a breakdown: 

1. Network Perimeter Protection: 

• Without Cato’s security features enabled, only 1% of simulated external threats were blocked. 

• 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. 

2. Internal Network Security: 

• Less than 1% of lateral movement attempts were blocked in the unprotected baseline tests. 

• Enabling Cato’s 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. 

3. Data Exfiltration Prevention: 

• Only 2% of exfiltration attempts were blocked without Cato’s defenses. 

• With Cato, 99% of attempts—including covert channel exploitation (e.g., DNS tunneling, HTTP header manipulation), legitimate channel exfiltration (e.g., FTP anomalies), and other sophisticated exfiltration methods—were thwarted, showcasing robust data loss prevention. 

These results underscore the transformative impact of deploying Cato’s SASE solution. Across all scenarios, the platform not only met but exceeded expectations, proving its ability to safeguard enterprises against evolving threats. 

What This Means for Enterprises 

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’s platform is well-equipped to address the challenges posed by today’s threat landscape, from advanced persistent threats to insider risks. 

By investing in solutions with proven capabilities, enterprises can: 

• Enhance their security posture without increasing operational complexity. 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations. 

• Gain confidence in their ability to defend against sophisticated attacks. 

Take the Next Step 

The Frost & Sullivan report provides detailed insights into Cato’s performance, methodologies, and security capabilities. To explore the full findings and understand how Cato’s SASE platform can strengthen your organization’s defenses, download the report today at https://www.catonetworks.com/resources/frost-sullivan-cato-sase-cloud-platform-report/