Netskope Expands NewEdge Security Private Cloud Across Africa

Netskope, a global leader in security service edge (SSE) and zero trust solutions, has announced the latest expansion of its Netskope NewEdge network with a new data center now operational in Cape Town, South Africa. This addition complements the existing infrastructure in Johannesburg, providing increased capacity, redundancy, and in-region support to meet growing demand. The NewEdge network, which now spans 57 regions worldwide, delivers full security traffic processing, advanced SSE services, and is accessible to all Netskope customers without additional charges.

As the backbone of the Netskope Security Cloud, the NewEdge infrastructure supports a wide range of real-time, inline and API-driven services, including Cloud Firewall (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM/SSPM). This expansion reinforces Netskope's commitment to accelerating zero trust adoption by ensuring that robust security measures do not come at the cost of performance. The high-speed architecture helps prevent users from bypassing security controls, maintaining productivity, and avoiding disruptions to business processes.

By placing data-centric security closer to users, Netskope’s SASE-ready architecture addresses key requirements for modern enterprises, including compliance needs and local data processing. With extensive peering to leading web/CDN, cloud, and SaaS providers such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Box, and Dropbox, NewEdge delivers optimised and secure access to critical cloud services and applications. This approach not only enhances security but also minimises latency for users accessing cloud resources from within the region.

South African Organisations See the Benefits of Local Infrastructure

Local businesses have already recognised the value of having robust, in-region cloud security infrastructure. Funzani Madi, Chief Information Security Officer at Telkom South Africa, stated: “Having our data processed within our jurisdiction provides significant improvements in user experience. The new Cape Town data center further solidifies Netskope’s dedication to the African market.”

Similarly, Danie Burger, Information Security Specialist at impact.com, a Cape Town-based partnership management platform, noted: “Local cloud infrastructure for security is crucial to maintaining user experience. With data centers in Cape Town and peered connections to our main cloud services, we can apply in-line security controls without introducing latency, ensuring seamless cloud access.”

Meeting Africa's Growing Demand for SSE and Zero Trust with Netskope Cloud Security

According to Grant Reynolds, regional manager for South Africa at Netskope, the demand for SSE solutions continues to grow across Africa. “With the increasing complexity of the threat landscape and evolving data protection regulations, organisations are eager to adopt security frameworks that support productivity while ensuring comprehensive data protection. The expansion of NewEdge aligns with this need by providing powerful in-region infrastructure capable of inspecting large data volumes locally, without relying on complex, latency-prone backhauls.”

Netskope’s expanding footprint demonstrates its commitment to supporting Africa's digital transformation and equipping businesses with the necessary tools for robust cloud security. With more than 1,500 customers worldwide, including some of the most demanding organisations, Netskope continues to lead the way in SSE and zero trust innovation.

To explore the capabilities of the Netskope Security Cloud and the advantages of the NewEdge network, visit Netskope's product page or learn more about NewEdge.

The Importance of Local Data Centers for Cyber Security in Africa

As businesses in Africa continue to adopt cloud technologies and embrace digital transformation, the demand for local data centers has surged. Local data centers, such as Netskope’s new Cape Town facility, help companies comply with data privacy regulations like South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) by ensuring data remains within national borders. This localization of data not only supports compliance but also significantly enhances user experience by reducing latency and improving the speed of accessing cloud services.

By investing in local infrastructure, Netskope addresses a critical need for African businesses looking to adopt a Zero Trust approach while still maintaining high levels of productivity and performance.

How NewEdge Supports Digital Transformation in South Africa

Digital transformation is reshaping industries across South Africa, with more organizations leveraging cloud services and remote work models. As businesses migrate their applications and data to the cloud, the need for comprehensive cloud security solutions becomes evident. Netskope’s NewEdge network offers a robust solution by providing in-line security controls that do not compromise on performance, enabling businesses to securely adopt modern working practices.

With capabilities like Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Cloud Firewall (FWaaS), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG), the NewEdge network ensures that enterprises can maintain visibility and control over their cloud environments. This positions Netskope as a key player in supporting the digital transformation efforts of South African companies.

The Role of SSE in Addressing Emerging Cyber Threats

The threat landscape is rapidly evolving, with new challenges such as ransomware, phishing, and sophisticated malware attacks targeting organisations globally. In response, companies are shifting towards a Security Service Edge (SSE) model that consolidates multiple security functions into a unified cloud-delivered framework. Netskope’s NewEdge infrastructure supports this model by providing scalable and distributed security capabilities across multiple regions, allowing businesses to stay protected against emerging threats.

Moreover, the integration with major cloud providers like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon allows for optimized traffic routing and efficient threat detection, ensuring that security measures are seamlessly integrated into daily operations.

Why Zero Trust is Essential for Today’s Enterprises

The concept of Zero Trust has gained significant traction in recent years, particularly as businesses embrace remote work and cloud-based applications. Zero Trust emphasises the need to "verify every request as though it originates from an open network," meaning that users, devices, and applications are continuously authenticated and authorised.

Netskope's solutions facilitate the adoption of a Zero Trust approach by providing tools for identity verification, access control, and continuous monitoring. This framework ensures that organizations can protect sensitive data and resources, regardless of the location or the device accessing the network.

Real-World Impact: How African Businesses Benefit from NewEdge

African organisations, from telecommunications providers to financial institutions, are witnessing the impact of having local, dedicated cloud security infrastructure. For instance, businesses such as Telkom South Africa and impact.com have seen improved security posture and reduced latency for users accessing cloud applications.

The ability to introduce in-line security controls without compromising performance means that businesses can fully embrace cloud technologies, supporting their growth and digital innovation strategies. As more companies in Africa prioritise cloud adoption and Zero Trust, having a reliable and high-performance infrastructure like Netskope’s NewEdge becomes crucial.