What are the best zero trust platforms?

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Zero trust security has evolved from a cybersecurity concept to a fundamental requirement for modern enterprises facing escalating cyber threats.

The market has experienced explosive growth with valuations reaching $41.72 billion in 2025 and projected to hit $88.78 billion by 2030, driven by regulatory mandates, cloud adoption, and sophisticated attack vectors targeting traditional perimeter-based security models.

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What are the top zero trust platforms in the market right now and who are the leading companies behind them?

The zero trust security market is dominated by established technology giants and specialized security vendors who have built comprehensive platforms addressing the "never trust, always verify" principle.

Palo Alto Networks leads the market as the top-ranked provider, serving over 70,000 organizations across 150+ countries including 85% of the Fortune 100. Their Zero Trust Enterprise platform integrates network security, cloud security through Prisma Cloud, secure access via Prisma Access, and endpoint security with Cortex XDR, providing a comprehensive approach that consolidates multiple security functions.

Zscaler holds the second position, pioneering the cloud-native approach with their Zero Trust Exchange platform that processes more than half a trillion daily transactions for over 7,000 enterprises, including 40% of Fortune 500 companies. Their "Security Service Edge" architecture eliminates traditional VPNs and provides direct-to-cloud connectivity with integrated security inspection.

Microsoft occupies the third position, leveraging their extensive Azure ecosystem and Entra platform (formerly Azure AD) to deliver zero trust capabilities to a vast global user base. Their approach focuses on identity-centric security with conditional access policies and integrated productivity tools.

Other significant players include Cisco Systems with their SecureX platform offering network-integrated zero trust, Cloudflare with Cloudflare One providing edge-based security, Okta specializing in identity and access management, CrowdStrike focusing on endpoint protection, and Netskope serving approximately one-third of the Fortune 100 with cloud access security.

Which companies received the largest funding rounds for zero trust platforms in 2024 and 2025 so far, how much did they raise, and from which investors?

The zero trust sector has attracted substantial venture capital and growth funding, with several companies securing significant rounds that demonstrate strong investor confidence in the market's trajectory.

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Are there any major tech giants backing zero trust platforms directly or through partnerships or acquisitions?

Major technology corporations have made substantial strategic investments in zero trust through direct acquisitions, partnerships, and massive capital commitments that reshape the competitive landscape.

Google announced the most significant move with their historic $32 billion acquisition of security company Wiz in 2025, marking their largest acquisition ever and dramatically expanding their cloud security capabilities. This acquisition positions Google Cloud as a major competitor to Microsoft and AWS in enterprise security.

Microsoft and Google jointly committed to investing $30 billion in cybersecurity advancements over five years, with Google specifically allocating over $10 billion to strengthen cybersecurity through expanding zero trust programs. Microsoft's commitment includes deepening integration of zero trust principles across their Azure platform and productivity suite.

Citrix strengthened their zero trust portfolio through strategic acquisitions of deviceTRUST GmbH and strong.network SA in December 2024, enhancing their unified platform for hybrid workers. These acquisitions enable Citrix to provide comprehensive device trust and network security alongside their virtual desktop infrastructure.

Leonardo, the Italian defense giant, acquired a 24.55% stake in Finland's SSH Communications Security for €20 million in July 2025, positioning themselves as a leader in "Zero Trust leadership in Europe" and expanding their cybersecurity capabilities for government and critical infrastructure sectors.

Which startups or companies in the zero trust space have won awards, recognitions, or industry accolades in 2024 and 2025?

The zero trust industry has recognized several companies for their innovative approaches and technical excellence through prestigious cybersecurity awards and industry recognition programs.

Portnox received the 2025 TMCnet Zero Trust Security Excellence Award, recognizing their cloud-native unified access control platform that addresses both traditional and modern IT environments. Keeper Security won the 2025 Fortress Cybersecurity Award for their KeeperPAM solution, which integrates privileged access management with zero trust principles.

Xage Security earned the 2025 Fortress Cybersecurity Award for zero trust excellence, particularly for their edge computing and operational technology security solutions. Dispel was recognized with the 2024 Hot Company award in the Zero Trust Platform category at the Cyber Defense Awards for their secure remote access solutions.

Safous, developed by Internet Initiative Japan, won the 2024 Cybersecurity Excellence Award for best zero trust solution, highlighting their comprehensive access control platform. Illumio received multiple awards including the Enterprise Security Solution Award and Network Security Award for their Zero Trust Segmentation Platform that provides micro-segmentation capabilities.

Additional recognition includes Silverfort being named a Microsoft Security Excellence Awards finalist for zero trust champion security, and SandboxAQ receiving TMCnet's Zero Trust Security Excellence Award for their quantum-resistant security solutions.

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What is the geographical distribution of the key players and startups in the zero trust market, and which regions show the most growth?

The zero trust market exhibits distinct geographical patterns with North America maintaining dominance while Asia-Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing region.

North America commands 35.06% of 2024 revenue, driven by mature regulatory frameworks, extensive cloud adoption, and federal government mandates requiring zero trust implementation. The region benefits from the highest vendor density and competitive pressure from cloud-native entrants, with 60% of organizations having active zero trust initiatives.

Asia-Pacific demonstrates the strongest growth trajectory with a 19.2% compound annual growth rate through 2030. Countries like Singapore, Japan, and India are implementing comprehensive cybersecurity roadmaps that embed zero trust principles, while manufacturing clusters drive adoption for IT/OT convergence requirements.

Europe holds approximately 25.4% of the global market with steady progression driven by GDPR compliance requirements and sector-specific directives. European organizations value privacy-preserving architectures and vendors providing granular audit trails, though adoption rates lag at under 18% compared to other regions.

Australia and New Zealand follow North America with 50% of organizations implementing zero trust strategies, while the Middle East and Africa show emerging adoption patterns focused on critical infrastructure protection and government initiatives.

What have been the most notable breakthroughs or innovations in zero trust technology or R&D in 2025, and what major advancements can be expected in 2026?

Zero trust technology has experienced significant innovations in 2025, with artificial intelligence integration and quantum-resistant security emerging as the most transformative developments.

AI-powered zero trust systems now automate threat detection, access control decisions, and anomaly detection in real-time, moving beyond static rule-based policies to dynamic, behavior-driven security models. Machine learning algorithms analyze user behavior patterns, device characteristics, and network traffic to make instantaneous access decisions, reducing false positives and improving user experience.

Continuous authentication has evolved from periodic verification to real-time behavior analysis that constantly validates user identity based on typing patterns, application usage, and interaction behaviors. This approach eliminates the security gaps inherent in traditional periodic re-authentication models.

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) integration has accelerated as organizations recognize the synergy between zero trust principles and cloud-delivered network security. This convergence provides unified security management across distributed workforces and cloud-native applications.

Quantum-resistant cryptography implementation has begun in anticipation of quantum computers potentially breaking current encryption by 2027-2030. Forward-thinking organizations are implementing quantum-safe algorithms and hybrid cryptographic approaches to future-proof their zero trust architectures.

Expected 2026 advancements include widespread biometric authentication expansion beyond fingerprints to include facial recognition, voice patterns, and behavioral biometrics, more sophisticated AI-driven policy automation, and deeper integration with Internet of Things (IoT) device security for comprehensive ecosystem protection.

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Which zero trust platforms or companies have notable traits that differentiate them from competitors and what are their key value propositions?

Leading zero trust platforms have developed distinct competitive advantages through specialized architectures, integration capabilities, and innovative approaches to security challenges.

How much total investment or capital was raised in the zero trust segment globally in 2024 and so far in 2025, and what funding trends can be observed?

The zero trust security segment has attracted substantial global investment, with cumulative venture capital funding reaching nearly $3 billion from 2018-2021, and continued strong activity through 2024-2025.

Notable 2024-2025 funding activity includes over $500 million in disclosed rounds, led by Cato Networks' massive $359 million Series G, Zero Networks' $55 million Series C, and Portnox's $37.5 million Series B. These large rounds indicate investor confidence in mature zero trust companies achieving significant scale and revenue growth.

Funding trends show a shift toward later-stage growth rounds rather than early-stage experimentation, suggesting market maturation. Investors are prioritizing companies with proven revenue traction, demonstrated customer retention, and clear paths to profitability rather than pure technology innovation.

Geographic investment distribution favors North American companies but shows increasing activity in European startups like NetBird, which demonstrates growing investor recognition of global market opportunities. Government spending provides additional market validation, with the Pentagon allocating $977 million specifically for zero trust in FY25 as part of a $14.5 billion cybersecurity budget.

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What is the current competitive landscape in the zero trust market and who are the fastest growing players?

The zero trust competitive landscape features both established security giants leveraging existing customer relationships and agile specialists capturing market share through innovative approaches.

Established leaders including Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and Fortinet offer consolidated security suites that appeal to enterprises seeking vendor consolidation, while cloud-native players like Zscaler provide scale advantages and modern architectures that traditional vendors struggle to match.

Emerging fast-growing players include Zero Networks, which has achieved 300% revenue growth through automated micro-segmentation solutions that require minimal operational overhead. Portnox has gained traction with cloud-native access control targeting mid-market enterprises, while NetBird democratizes zero trust through open-source approaches that reduce implementation barriers.

Strategic competitive moves include Arista integrating zero trust features into their CloudVision platform, Akamai acquiring Neosec and Noname Security for API protection capabilities, and established vendors like VMware (now Broadcom) enhancing their portfolio through acquisitions and partnerships.

The competitive dynamics favor companies that can demonstrate measurable security outcomes, operational simplicity, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional security architectures. Market share is shifting toward vendors offering proof-of-concept programs, clear ROI metrics, and implementation support that reduces deployment risk for enterprise customers.

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Are there any particular conditions or terms under which investors are funding zero trust startups today that indicate market maturity or strategic positioning?

Investor funding conditions for zero trust startups have evolved significantly, reflecting market maturation and increased focus on proven business fundamentals rather than pure technology innovation.

Current funding terms favor companies demonstrating recurring revenue growth above 100% annually, with investors requiring detailed customer retention metrics and expansion revenue data. Due diligence processes now emphasize competitive differentiation through measurable security outcomes rather than feature comparisons, indicating sophisticated investor understanding of zero trust value propositions.

Investors are increasingly requiring proof of scalable go-to-market strategies, with particular emphasis on channel partnerships and enterprise sales capabilities. Companies securing significant funding typically demonstrate clear paths to $100 million annual recurring revenue within 3-5 years, supported by defined market penetration strategies.

Strategic investors from established technology companies are providing funding in exchange for integration partnerships and joint go-to-market opportunities, reflecting the ecosystem consolidation trend. These arrangements often include revenue sharing agreements and exclusive partnership terms that benefit both startups and established vendors.

Valuation multiples have stabilized around 15-25x revenue for growth-stage companies, down from peak levels but still reflecting strong market confidence. Investors are requiring longer runway funding (18-24 months) and detailed contingency planning, indicating more conservative capital deployment strategies compared to previous high-growth periods.

Which startups or scaleups are considered the most promising or disruptive in the zero trust space going into 2026?

Several emerging companies are positioned to disrupt traditional zero trust approaches through innovative technologies and business models that address current market limitations.

• Zero Networks leads disruptive potential through automated micro-segmentation that eliminates traditional network complexity, achieving 300% revenue growth while simplifying deployment for enterprises that previously considered micro-segmentation too operationally complex.
• NetBird democratizes zero trust through open-source innovation, making enterprise-grade security accessible to smaller organizations while building a sustainable commercial model around managed services and enterprise features.
• Portnox targets the underserved mid-market segment with cloud-native access control solutions that provide enterprise capabilities at SMB price points, expanding the total addressable market beyond traditional enterprise customers.
• Xage Security specializes in operational technology (OT) and edge computing environments, addressing critical infrastructure and manufacturing sectors that require specialized zero trust approaches for industrial control systems.
• SandboxAQ integrates quantum-resistant security with zero trust principles, positioning for future quantum computing threats while providing immediate security benefits through advanced cryptography.

These companies share common characteristics including focus on operational simplicity, clear value demonstration, and addressing specific market segments underserved by large vendors. Their disruptive potential stems from solving practical implementation challenges that have limited zero trust adoption rather than purely technical innovations.

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What is the outlook for investment in zero trust platforms in 2026 and which areas or technologies are investors expected to prioritize?

The investment outlook for 2026 shows continued strong funding activity with focus shifting toward mature technologies and measurable business outcomes rather than experimental approaches.

AI-driven security automation represents the highest priority investment area, with investors seeking companies that can demonstrate quantifiable reductions in security operations costs and faster threat response times. Machine learning applications for behavior analysis, automated policy generation, and predictive threat detection are attracting premium valuations.

Identity-centric security solutions targeting specific verticals such as healthcare, financial services, and critical infrastructure will receive priority funding due to regulatory requirements and compliance mandates. Investors favor companies with deep vertical expertise and established customer relationships within regulated industries.

Cloud-native architectures that eliminate traditional network appliances continue attracting investment, particularly for companies demonstrating superior performance and cost advantages over legacy security approaches. Edge computing integration and SASE convergence represent high-growth areas with substantial market expansion potential.

Operational technology (OT) and IoT security integration presents emerging investment opportunities as industrial organizations extend zero trust principles to manufacturing and infrastructure systems. Companies bridging IT and OT security gaps are positioned for significant funding rounds given the specialized expertise required.

Investment conditions will favor companies with proven customer acquisition costs below $50,000 for enterprise accounts, demonstrated ability to expand within existing customers, and clear competitive moats through technical differentiation or market positioning. Investors expect companies to achieve profitability within 12-18 months of Series B funding, indicating matured market expectations.

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Conclusion

Sources

1. Reco AI Zero Trust Tools
2. Cyber Magazine Top 10 Zero Trust Companies 2025
3. Mordor Intelligence Zero Trust Security Market
4. Calcalist Tech Zero Networks Funding
5. Highland Europe Zero Networks Series C
6. Portnox Series B Funding
7. TS2 Tech ZTNA News and Trends
8. Nauta Capital NetBird Funding
9. EU Startups NetBird Funding
10. CRN Google Wiz Acquisition
11. Fintech Global Microsoft Google Cybersecurity Investment
12. Citrix Zero Trust Acquisitions
13. Portnox TMCnet Excellence Award
14. Keeper Security Fortress Award
15. Xage Security Fortress Award
16. Dispel Cyber Defense Awards
17. Safous Cybersecurity Excellence Award
18. Computing Security Excellence Awards
19. Grand View Research Europe Zero Trust Market
20. Okta Zero Trust Global Organizations Report
21. Cybersecurity News Zero Trust 2025
22. LinkedIn Zero Trust Trends 2025
23. Wire Cybersecurity Trends 2025