Zscaler launches AI-Guardian and expands Alstom partnerships

Zscaler has launched Project AI-Guardian with a group of global system integrators, including EY, HCL, Infosys and Wipro.

The launch comes as Zscaler also expands its partnership with rail technology and infrastructure provider Alstom, widening the cybersecurity tools used across the transport group's operations.

Project AI-Guardian focuses on securing corporate use of artificial intelligence, particularly AI agents and autonomous workloads that connect to data, applications and cloud systems across an organisation. The programme combines Zscaler's security products with consulting and implementation services from major integrators to help companies identify AI use, assess risk and put controls in place.

The launch partners are Cognizant, EY, HCL, Infosys, TCS and Wipro. Under the programme, they will use Zscaler's AI Protect portfolio, which includes AI asset management, access controls for AI services, and tools to protect AI infrastructure and applications.

The offering is designed to help businesses uncover so-called shadow AI, map how data and identities connect with AI systems, and identify risks linked to supply chains, security posture and sensitive information. Its tools draw on data from endpoints, traffic flows, software-as-a-service applications, cloud services and code repositories to build an inventory of AI applications, models, infrastructure and agents.

Jay Chaudhry, chief executive officer, chairman and founder of Zscaler, described the initiative as an extension of the company's zero trust security model into AI systems.

"GSI partners have been instrumental in driving Zero Trust driven digital transformation, delivering massive cost savings and superior user experiences for the world's largest enterprises. With Project AI-Guardian, we are empowering our partners to extend the Zero Trust framework to AI assets including AI agents, ensuring that AI adoption does not come at the cost of security," said Chaudhry.

Partner push

Zscaler is leaning on consulting groups that already advise large organisations on cybersecurity, cloud migration and governance. That gives it a route into board-level AI projects as companies adopt new tools without losing oversight of data handling, access rights and regulatory obligations.

Each systems integrator outlined how it plans to position the collaboration. Several stressed the need for visibility into AI use across users, data, networks and applications, while others focused on governance and resilience as AI becomes more embedded in business operations.

Dan Mellen, EY Global and US Cyber Chief Technology Officer, said: "AI is here now and leading organizations are taking action today; governance and security are compulsory across users, data, the network and applications. With Zscaler's Zero Trust Everywhere and AI Asset Management, EY teams can help accelerate our clients' visibility into their AI usage while enabling business use cases to scale responsibly."

Vishal Salvi, Global Head of Cognizant's Cybersecurity Service Line, said: "As enterprises scale AI and agentic systems, frontier AI models are identifying risks that move faster than conventional security can handle. Through Cognizant Secure AI Services, we help clients engineer provable trust into their AI deployments - from our secure Agent Development Lifecycle through to AI governance. Our partnership with Zscaler extends that protection by combining Zero Trust Everywhere and AI Asset Management with our capabilities, giving clients the visibility and resilience to turn AI into a source of competitive strength."

Rail expansion

Alongside the integrator programme, Alstom is broadening its use of Zscaler's platform after a decade-long relationship. Alstom is one of the UK and Ireland's main rail suppliers and has a large footprint in transport infrastructure and rolling stock, making cybersecurity a significant operational issue as rail and industrial systems become more connected.

The expanded arrangement adds tools including data loss prevention for generative AI, branch connectivity, cellular connectivity and monitoring software. The wider deployment is intended to simplify legacy infrastructure and strengthen protections for users, branch locations and data.

Alstom previously relied on perimeter-based security tools such as virtual private networks, firewalls and virtual desktop infrastructure. It has since shifted to zero trust network access, allowing staff to connect to corporate applications from different locations while reducing reliance on older network architecture.

Yann Barera, Global Head of Network, Alstom, said: "At the beginning, our main driver for security transformation was enabling secure access to corporate applications for staff everywhere with a robust and stable Zero Trust platform. Over time, we needed more security features to improve our security level for changing business requirements during M&A transactions and divestitures or our growth aspirations with maintenance services while keeping the solution as silent as possible in the background for the business."

Alstom is also using the platform to monitor network quality and support service delivery in places where fixed wireless access is unavailable or unreliable. That includes cellular links for remote connections in operational environments.

"For AI enhancement, we required additional capabilities of the security platform to control the secure use of AI tools within the organisation. Additionally we rely on the monitoring capabilities of Zscaler to continuously improve our network quality. Over the last years, Zscaler has grown to become a strategic partner for us that is accompanying our transformation journey," said Barera.