Cato Networks Fortifies SASE Platform to Combat Enterprise AI and LLM Security Threats
The digital landscape is once again being reshaped, this time by the explosive growth of Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini are rapidly becoming indispensable for boosting productivity. However, this uncontrolled adoption has created a massive new attack surface for businesses—a phenomenon known as “Shadow AI.” Recognizing this critical security gap, SASE leader Cato Networks has made a strategic move to integrate advanced AI security capabilities directly into its world-class platform.
By acquiring Aim Security, a pioneer in AI security, Cato is set to provide enterprises with the visibility and control needed to safely harness the power of artificial intelligence without exposing themselves to catastrophic risks.
The Unprecedented Risk of Shadow AI
When employees use public AI tools for work-related tasks, they often do so without official sanction or oversight. While their intent is usually to improve efficiency, the security implications are profound. This unauthorized use of AI creates an unprecedented security blind spot, leaving organizations vulnerable to a host of new threats.
Key risks associated with uncontrolled AI usage include:
- Sensitive Data Leakage: Employees may inadvertently paste confidential information—such as source code, customer data (PII), financial records, or strategic plans—into public LLMs. This data can then be absorbed into the model, potentially exposing it to other users or a future breach.
- Intellectual Property Theft: Your company’s most valuable trade secrets and proprietary information are at risk of being fed directly into third-party AI models, effectively handing over your competitive advantage.
- Compliance Violations: The unsanctioned transfer of regulated data into AI platforms can lead to severe breaches of compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, resulting in hefty fines and reputational damage.
- Malicious Prompts and Attacks: Attackers can craft malicious prompts or use compromised AI applications to exfiltrate data, deliver malware, or manipulate employees into taking harmful actions.
Traditional security tools like firewalls and Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) are ill-equipped to handle these threats. They may be able to block access to an entire AI application, but they lack the granular visibility to inspect the actual content of prompts and responses, making them ineffective at preventing data loss within approved applications.
A Unified Solution: Integrating AI Security into the SASE Framework
The integration of Aim Security’s technology into the Cato SASE Cloud platform is a game-changer for enterprise security. Instead of deploying yet another standalone security product, organizations will gain comprehensive AI protection as a native component of their existing security and network infrastructure.
This move reinforces the core value of a true SASE platform: providing a single, unified console for managing all aspects of enterprise security and connectivity. By adding AI security to its robust suite of services—which already includes SWG, CASB, ZTNA, and FWaaS—Cato enables IT and security teams to manage this new threat vector from the same pane of glass they use for everything else.
The integrated solution will empower businesses to:
- Discover and Catalog AI Usage: Automatically identify all GenAI and LLM applications being used across the organization, providing a clear picture of the “Shadow AI” landscape.
- Enforce Granular Controls: Move beyond simple blocking and create sophisticated policies to control what data can be submitted to specific AI tools and by which users or groups.
- Prevent Sensitive Data Loss: Actively monitor and block the submission of confidential data, source code, and personally identifiable information to public AI models.
- Protect Against AI-Based Threats: Identify and neutralize malicious prompts and prevent users from accessing AI applications that are known to be insecure or compromised.
Actionable Security Tips for Your Business
While integrated platforms are the future, there are immediate steps every organization should take to mitigate the risks of Shadow AI.
- Develop a Clear AI Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Don’t leave your employees guessing. Create and communicate a formal policy that outlines which AI tools are approved, how they can be used, and what types of data are strictly forbidden from being entered into any public AI platform.
- Conduct Employee Training and Awareness Programs: The biggest risk is often a lack of awareness. Educate your team about the dangers of pasting sensitive company information into tools like ChatGPT. Use real-world examples to illustrate the potential consequences.
- Audit Current Usage: Before you can create effective policies, you need to understand the scope of the problem. Work with your IT team to identify which AI tools are currently being accessed on your network to gauge your organization’s exposure.
- Evaluate Your Security Stack: Assess whether your current security infrastructure provides any visibility into AI application traffic. If not, it’s time to prioritize solutions that offer deep inspection and contextual control specifically designed for the AI era.
The rise of generative AI represents both a massive opportunity and a significant threat. By taking proactive steps and leveraging unified security platforms, businesses can empower their teams to innovate safely and securely.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/09/04/cato-networks-aim-security/
