Palo Alto Networks’ OkyoGarde bundle includes a WiFi6 access point and mobile application software to provide protection against malware, ransomware and phishing.
The development of teleworking around the world is leading Palo Alto Networks to launch a WiFi 6-based package which, according to the supplier, offers remote workers enterprise-class security features. Called Okyo Garde, this offer includes a WiFi 6 access point – resembling a connected speaker – and software to secure mobile applications with updates on threats. This pack is sold to businesses as a customizable subscription. The set also offers malware and ransomware prevention, phishing protection, infected endpoint detection, and suspicious activity monitoring and control, the OEM said.
Worker homes are becoming “branches of a single company” with multiple devices without IT teams or a deep set of cybersecurity protections, and yet they face the same threat landscape as any business, said Mario Queiroz, vice-president at Palo Alto Networks. Cyber attackers may even view them as more vulnerable and therefore as exploitable entry points into the corporate network, added Queiroz. “To prepare for the next decade of work, we need to make sure that all offices are equally secure, whether it’s an office at headquarters, a guest bedroom or the kitchen table,” Mr. Queiroz wrote in a blog dedicated to this announcement.
The 6 mesh WiFi access point from the Okyo Garde pack looks like a connected speaker or a lamp. (Credit Palo Alto Networks)
Isolate threats on the home network
The Okyo Garde hotspot is controlled by a mobile phone app and detects all other equipment connected to the home network – connected speakers, televisions or other computers. The app identifies devices that are not protected and can isolate them. It links to the Palo Alto threat detection database to determine if other devices are vulnerable and should be blocked. The application can segment the home network working environment to reduce security exposure. “Okyo offers individuals and small to medium-sized businesses the kind of cybersecurity support that is traditionally provided by IT staff in campus environments,” Queiroz said.
For users linked to a larger corporate network, Okyo will be integrated with Palo Alto’s Prisma cloud security offering, which includes access control, advanced threat protection, behavior monitoring users and other services designed to protect business applications and resources. Managed by a single console, Prisma includes a firewall as a service, zero trust network access, a security broker for cloud access and a secure web gateway. Prisma Access is also a key component of Palo Alto Networks’ secure access service edge (SASE) offering, which largely consists of SD-WAN CloudGenix technology, which the OEM purchased last year.
The app, which controls the Okyo Garde solution, traces all the equipment connected to the home network. (Credit Palo Alto Networks)
Competitors are also getting stronger
The Okyo Guard Enterprise Edition, with Prisma Access integration, is expected to be available in 2022. The solution can also be ordered with Okyo Concierge Service to provide small businesses or individuals with 24/7 support and troubleshooting. Okyo Garde subscriptions start from $ 349 / year and include a WiFi 6 mesh system. In the US, Okyo Garde can be pre-ordered from okyo.com, and should be available this fall, according to the company.
Palo Alto is the latest vendor to target hybrid or remote enterprise workforce. VMware, Cisco, Juniper, and other security competitors have designed security options for home offices or even for people working from the nearest coffee shop. For example, VMware’s Anywhere Workspace unites the company’s core business software products, including Unified Workspace ONE endpoint management, Carbon Black Cloud endpoint security, and secure SASE (secure access service edge), into a single system to support a widely distributed workforce. Cisco offers various packages to support hybrid workers, including home SD-WAN routers that include a wireless connection for backup, and Umbrella security support to allow users to access applications remotely and securely. . Other options include a WiFi router which is an extension of the corporate network and can be managed remotely from the Cisco DNA Spaces package.
