Palo Alto Networks x Arista Networks: The future of data centre security

A powerful duo emerges: Palo Alto Networks and Arista have joined forces to enhance security in data centres and enterprises. They combine powerful network control with intelligent cybersecurity. In this blog post, you will learn about the reasons behind the merger and the advantages it offers.

The merger: what's behind it?

Greater security, better integration and jointly developed functions for data centre networks are the focus of the new merger. The aim is to enable centrally managed policies with decentralised application on switches as well as more in-depth analysis of data traffic at firewalls.

This collaboration links Arista CloudVision MSS Fabric (Multi-Domain Segmentation Services) with Palo Alto's next-generation firewalls (NGFW). This allows comprehensive security for data traffic between servers as well as between clients and servers.

How does this interaction work?

• Machine learning (ML) automatically detects suspicious activity and reports it directly to Arista CloudVision MSS. The system immediately isolates the affected endpoints to prevent further spread.
• Palo Alto Networks' central management tool manages zone and micro-segmentation policies so that the entire network is treated as a logical switch. This enables the migration of workloads, whether between different servers or multiple cloud environments.
• Micro-segmentation checks traffic in clearly defined segments, optimising performance. The system immediately isolates conspicuous systems, preventing lateral movement within the network.

Palo Alto + Arista

The partnership between Palo Alto Networks and Arista combines modern network security with intelligent segmentation and network visibility.

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is a leader in cybersecurity and cloud-centric technologies. The company's goal is to make the workplace safer and protect digital lives. With continuous innovation in areas such as AI, automation and analytics, Palo Alto helps organisations and networks successfully meet modern security requirements. With a broad portfolio of powerful next-generation firewalls, protective security software and appropriate licences, the company covers the requirements of a wide range of IT infrastructures.

Arista Networks

Arista Networks is a globally renowned provider of software-defined cloud networks, not only for large data centres, but also for campus environments and smaller businesses. The company offers powerful platforms with Ethernet speeds ranging from 10 to 400 gigabits per second, ensuring high scalability and reliability. Arista's portfolio includes CloudVision, the EOS® (Extensible Operating System) operating system, and solutions such as switches and transceivers that enable a reliable network architecture.

AI-driven security redefined

Data centre security is being redefined through the collaboration between Palo Alto and Arista. Arista's EOS® platform with advanced stateful inspection services is being combined with Palo Alto's Network Security Platform. This combination offers the following advantages:

1. Zero-trust segmentation for data centres: Segmentation, transparency and protection are ensured between Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls and Arista MSS Fabric. Policies are implemented directly on Arista switches or traffic is intelligently forwarded to Palo Alto Networks NGFW clusters.
2. Advanced security with dynamic quarantine: Segmentation policies minimise threats. The NGFW detects potential attacks in real time and sends signals to Arista CloudVision MSS, which immediately isolates and quarantines the affected endpoints.
3. Unified policy orchestration: Palo Alto Networks centralises security policies from a single interface, while Arista CloudVision MSS automatically enforces them. This allows the entire network to function as a unified switch, enabling workloads to be moved flexibly between clouds and security zones.
4. Operational flexibility for DevOps, NetOps and SecOps: Modern data centres automate networking and security to rapidly support DevOps and CI/CD pipelines. Arista Validated Designs (AVDs) can be integrated directly. AVA-AI automatically creates secure configurations.

Benefits for businesses

• Better detection of hidden threats: Combination of intelligent network visibility and advanced firewall analysis.
• Automatic isolation of compromised systems: Suspicious activity is immediately isolated before it can spread.
• Centralised, unified policy management: Security policies apply across all locations and cloud environments.
• More freedom for network and security teams: NetOps and SecOps can work, scale and modernise independently of each other.
• Strong performance despite intensive security checks: Policy enforcement on Arista hardware is carried out at high speed.
• Optimal support for modern cloud and AI workloads: Containers, DevOps models and AI applications are supported securely and efficiently.
• Protection against AI-based attack methods: Companies benefit from additional protection against complex attack scenarios.

A powerful duo for a secure future

The merger of Arista Networks and Palo Alto Networks offers companies enhanced zero-trust security in the data centre. The partnership combines powerful network control with security policies, taking protection and efficiency to a whole new level.

In our shop, you will find not only Palo Alto products such as firewalls, software + licences and accessories, but also Arista products for high-performance networks. If you are interested, you can simply enquire about products using our enquiry form or contact our team directly. We will be happy to advise you.