On this episode of the Moor Insights & Strategy Podcast, Will Townsend, Vice President and Principal Analyst for Networking and Security is joined by Nav Singh, Vice President of Marketing for Network Security at Palo Alto Networks. Their conversation covers Palo Alto Networks' virtual event, Intersect, which focused on four best practice sessions:

1. Zero Trust Foundation for Network Security: They explore the concept of zero trust in network security. Zero Trust is simple in concept but challenging to implement, and the pandemic and hybrid work models have shifted the approach to network security from implicit trust to explicit, continuous verification. Palo Alto Networks advocates three principles: least privileged access control, continuous trust verification, and continuous security inspection.
2. Hybrid Workforce Security: The conversation shifts to the challenges of securing networks in a hybrid work environment and Palo Alto Networks' approach, which includes secure access service edge (SASE) to bring security and networking closer to users, whether mobile or in branch offices. The two discuss the need for exceptional user experience and sophisticated threat protection in various settings.
3. Securing a Hybrid Cloud with Complete Zero Trust: Will and Nav delve into the complexities of securing multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, highlighting the shared responsibility in cloud security and Palo Alto Networks' solutions that provide sophisticated security in a software form factor for cloud-hosted applications.
4. Securing Endpoints and Operational Technology (OT) Environments: The focus turns to securing endpoints and OT environments, like manufacturing and healthcare, where IoT and machine-to-machine connections are prevalent. Nav discusses the unique challenges in these environments and Palo Alto Networks' tailored approach to visibility, policy recommendations, and securing IT and OT environments.

Throughout their conversation, Will and Nav emphasize the importance of simplicity, scalability, visibility, and tailored solutions for different industry verticals in network and security management.