Cato Networks vs Skyhigh Security: Zero Trust India
Cato Networks and Skyhigh Security sell two different SSE promises.
Cato converges networking and security into one SASE platform. Skyhigh brings deep DLP and CASB pedigree from its McAfee roots, priced module by module.
Cato Networks vs Skyhigh Security at a glance
Both brands in one view. Where each one wins, and where the ASP network changes the answer.
Cato Networks
- What it is
- A cloud-native SASE platform built from scratch in 2015, converging SD-WAN, firewall, SWG, CASB, DLP and ZTNA on one private global backbone.
- India presence
- Five India points of presence, in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, inside an 80+ PoP global network. Sold through the authorised partner channel.
- Gartner trajectory
- Named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025.
- Price posture
- Enterprise subscription priced by sites, users and modules, billed annually. Sirius Star returns a written quote in 24 working hours.
- Where it stretches
- DLP file-size limits and CASB depth are thinner than data-security specialists. Support escalation and data-lake retention costs draw buyer complaints.
Skyhigh Security
- What it is
- A Security Service Edge platform spun out of McAfee Enterprise in 2022, with deep DLP and CASB roots dating back to the original Skyhigh Networks CASB.
- India presence
- Global vendor headquartered in San Jose, ~1,000 employees, 3,000+ customers including 8 of the 10 largest banks. Sold in India on a 100%-channel model.
- Gartner trajectory
- Named a Visionary in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SSE, then slipped to Niche Player in the 2025 edition.
- Price posture
- Module-based: SWG, CASB, ZTNA and DLP are priced and licensed separately rather than under one SSE fee.
- Where it stretches
- Legacy McAfee heritage shows in UI friction and a console reviewers call non-intuitive. Admin-heavy policy and integration setup at deeper deployments.
The Cato Networks and Skyhigh Security ranges Sirius Star supplies
Two picks from each brand. We size the mix in the free 30-minute review.
Cato SASE Cloud Platform
The converged platform that carries and secures traffic on one global backbone, run from a single console.
- Network and security in one cloud tenant
- One policy for sites, users and cloud apps
- A private backbone, not the public internet
Cato Socket SD-WAN
Small edge appliances that retire MPLS links and route branch traffic over broadband and 4G with managed failover.
- Active-active links with automatic failover
- Application-aware traffic shaping and QoS
- A small Socket at each site, managed centrally
Skyhigh SSE
A single-console SSE converging secure web gateway, CASB, private access and remote browser isolation.
- One console for web, cloud and private-app policy
- Remote Browser Isolation for high-risk sessions
- 100%-channel delivery through partners like Sirius Star
Skyhigh Cloud DLP & CASB
The data-centric module built on the original Skyhigh Networks CASB, still the deepest part of the platform.
- CASB pioneer lineage, not a bolt-on feature
- Tracks sensitive data across sanctioned and shadow SaaS
- Adds Shadow AI controls for unsanctioned AI tool use
Cato Networks vs Skyhigh Security: feature by feature
The specifics that decide the buy, for the Indian buyer.
| Feature | Cato Networks | Skyhigh Security |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Single cloud-native platform, converged from day one | Modular SSE: SWG, CASB, ZTNA and DLP as related but separate products |
| India points of presence | Five explicit India PoPs: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad | Global platform sold on a 100%-channel model, no published India-specific PoP list |
| DLP and CASB depth | Functional but thinner: a 20MB DLP file-size limit trails category leaders | Deep, original CASB pioneer lineage; the strongest part of the Skyhigh platform |
| Gartner trajectory | Leader, Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms, 2024 and 2025, rising | Visionary in 2024, dropped to Niche Player in 2025, declining |
| Licensing model | Priced by site, user and module, one subscription line | SWG, CASB, ZTNA and DLP priced and licensed as separate modules |
| Console and UI | Modern cloud-native console built for the platform from the start | Legacy McAfee heritage; reviewers cite UI friction and uneven OS support |
| Ownership stability | Independent, $5B+ valuation, described as IPO-ready | Owned by private equity firm Symphony Technology Group since the 2022 McAfee split |
Which one for what
The clean decision guide for common Indian B2B scenarios. Pick the row that fits.
Business wanting one converged SASE platform, not stitched modules
Cato. One tenant, one policy engine, nothing licensed piecemeal.
Enterprise with heavy DLP or CASB needs and an existing McAfee or Trellix relationship
Skyhigh. Its CASB pioneer lineage runs deeper than Cato’s current DLP.
Multi-branch Indian business prioritising local latency
Cato. Five explicit India PoPs beat a channel-sold global platform.
Buyer wary of vendors sliding in analyst rankings
Cato. Two years rising as a Gartner Leader against Skyhigh’s Niche Player slip.
Data-security-first team that can live with module pricing and an older console
Skyhigh. The DLP and CASB depth can outweigh the UI friction for the right team.
How Sirius Star sizes Cato Networks or Skyhigh Security
Free review first. Then a written quote in 24 working hours.
Site survey + sizing
Free 30-min call. We map load, refresh cycle, and current estate.
Both brands quoted
Written quote in 24 working hours. Itemised. GST broken out.
PO and rollout from Vashi
Staggered site-by-site cutover, old network alive until the new one earns its place.
Policy and renewal wrap
One escalation path. Policy documented. Renewal calendar in writing.
Zero Trust and SASE: A Buyer’s Checklist for India
- What DPDP and CERT-In actually ask an auditor to see
- The 6 questions to ask before you sign a SASE contract
- How to size a pilot before a full site rollout
Cato Networks vs Skyhigh Security in India FAQ
Common questions Indian buyers ask. Answers grounded in current sources.
Can Cato Networks and Skyhigh Security run together?
Which one is cheaper for a mid-market Indian business?
Is Skyhigh’s Gartner slip from Visionary to Niche Player a red flag?
Does Cato actually have India infrastructure?
Who supports us after the purchase?
Ready for a sized Cato/Skyhigh quote?
Tell us your sites, seats and current DLP or CASB needs. We ship both brands, honestly.
Pair this on one PO
What buyers typically add to a Sirius Star order.
Related reading from the Sirius Star blog
Long-form context from our team.
Sources referenced
- Cato Networks– catonetworks.com
- Skyhigh Security– skyhighsecurity.com
- Gartner SASE definition– gartner.com