Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform Deployed Across T-Mobile Operations

Rhea-AI Summary

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) announced the successful deployment of its Zero Trust Exchange™ AI-powered cloud security platform across T-Mobile operations. The implementation, completed in late 2023 within three months, has enabled T-Mobile to retire its traditional VPNs and enhance cybersecurity infrastructure.

The deployment includes several key components:

• Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™) for secure internet access
• Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™) replacing traditional VPNs
• Zscaler Deception technology for advanced threat detection
• Zscaler Digital Experience™ (ZDX™) for optimized user experience

The platform ensures that only verified and authorized users and devices can securely access necessary systems, significantly reducing cyber threat risks while enabling efficient resource access for employees regardless of location.

Positive

• Major enterprise client acquisition with T-Mobile implementation
• Successful platform deployment completed in just 3 months
• Full replacement of traditional VPNs at T-Mobile, demonstrating product effectiveness
• Expansion of product suite deployment including ZIA, ZPA, Deception, and ZDX solutions

Negative

• None.

Insights

Cybersecurity Expert

T-Mobile's deployment of Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange platform represents a significant security architecture modernization effort with several key technical implications. The implementation spans four major Zscaler products in a comprehensive security transformation that displaces traditional VPNs and legacy firewalls.

This deployment validates Zscaler's technical approach to zero trust architecture at enterprise scale. T-Mobile's three-month implementation timeframe demonstrates the platform's deployment efficiency despite the complexity of securing a major telecommunications provider's infrastructure. The year-long successful operation further confirms the solution's stability and effectiveness.

From a security perspective, T-Mobile's adoption of the least-privileged access model through Zscaler's platform significantly reduces their attack surface by limiting lateral movement opportunities for threat actors. The inclusion of Zscaler Deception technology adds a proactive defense layer by creating decoys to detect and isolate attackers before they reach critical resources.

Most notably, T-Mobile's retirement of traditional VPN infrastructure signals the ongoing enterprise shift away from perimeter-based security models toward identity-based, contextual access controls that don't rely on network location. This architectural transition delivers both security benefits and operational improvements through direct application access, reducing complex network routing and gateway bottlenecks.

Financial Analyst

Securing T-Mobile as a large-scale enterprise customer demonstrates Zscaler's ability to win competitive deals against established security vendors in the zero trust market. While the financial terms aren't disclosed, this deployment represents a multi-product sale spanning ZIA, ZPA, Deception technology, and ZDX - suggesting strong platform adoption rather than single-product implementation.

The complete replacement of legacy VPNs indicates Zscaler has captured substantial wallet share that previously went to traditional network security providers. This validates their displacement strategy against legacy vendors and suggests potential for similar competitive wins.

T-Mobile's full-scale implementation after a year of successful operation serves as a valuable reference customer in the telecommunications vertical, potentially accelerating Zscaler's sales cycles with similar enterprises. Their deployment timeline (three months) also highlights implementation efficiency that could improve Zscaler's professional services margins.

From a revenue perspective, this deployment likely contributes meaningfully to Zscaler's annual recurring revenue given T-Mobile's size and the breadth of products deployed. The multi-product adoption pattern also indicates healthy cross-selling success, which typically improves customer retention rates and lifetime value. This case study demonstrates Zscaler's increasing traction among large enterprises, a critical growth driver for their cloud security platform.

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), the leader in cloud security, collaborated with T-Mobile in late 2023 to rapidly deploy hybrid zero trust throughout its operations. In just three months, T-Mobile implemented the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ AI-powered cloud security platform, which is designed to secure access to applications and the internet, regardless of user location or device. Now, one year later, the roll-out has further secured the Un-carrier’s infrastructure against potential cyber threats and over that time, T-Mobile is retiring its traditional VPNs. By reducing the need for traditional VPNs and providing secure and direct access to applications, T-Mobile’s employees and other team members can access needed resources efficiently and effectively, whether they are in the office, at home or on the go.

“As T-Mobile is continually focused on making enhancements to our cybersecurity approach to stay ahead of bad actors, working with Zscaler to roll out these tools is another positive step forward in that mission,” said Jeff Simon, senior vice president and chief security officer, T-Mobile. “Zscaler’s tools help us ensure that only verified and authorized users and devices can securely access the systems they need to do their job — and nothing more. This is critical to significantly reducing the risk of cyber threats.”

Modernizing Security with the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange
The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform is designed to secure access to applications and the internet, regardless of user location or device. T-Mobile’s deployment includes:

• Secure internet access with Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™) to eliminate the need for backhauling, delivering full TLS/SSL traffic inspection and zero-trust access for internet and SaaS applications.
• Secure private access with Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™) to replace traditional VPNs and provide direct access to applications from any location.
• Advanced threat detection with Zscaler Deception technology to detect and neutralize threats by using decoys and false user paths to lure bad actors away from resources.
• Optimized User Experience with Zscaler Digital Experience™ (ZDX™) that detects and resolves issues with application connectivity and performance issues that could impact productivity.

“The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange is a cloud native cybersecurity platform built on the concept of zero trust. Following the principle of least-privileged access, the platform establishes trust based on user identity and context — including location, device, application and content — and creates secure, direct user-to-app, app-to-app and machine-to-machine connections,” said Mike Rich, chief revenue officer and president of global sales at Zscaler. “We’re proud that Zscaler reduced T-Mobile’s use of legacy firewalls and VPNs to enhance secure and efficient access to applications and information.”

Watch a video from Zscaler and T-Mobile here. For more on the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, visit zscaler.com.

About Zscaler
Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across more than 150 data centers globally, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange™ is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

Media Contact
Natalia Wodecki
Sr. Director, Global Integrated Communications & PR
press@zscaler.com

FAQ

What security features did T-Mobile implement with Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange platform?

T-Mobile implemented ZIA for secure internet access, ZPA for VPN replacement, Deception technology for threat detection, and ZDX for optimized user experience monitoring.

How long did it take T-Mobile to deploy Zscaler's ZS security platform?

T-Mobile completed the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform deployment in just three months in late 2023.

What are the main benefits T-Mobile gained from implementing Zscaler's ZS platform?

T-Mobile gained enhanced cybersecurity, eliminated traditional VPNs, and enabled secure remote access for employees regardless of location or device.

How does Zscaler's ZS Zero Trust Exchange platform verify user access?

The platform establishes trust based on user identity and context, including location, device, application, and content, following least-privileged access principles.