๐ฆ๐บiTNews AustraliaโขStalecollected in 12m
Toll Group modernises network to bypass data centres
๐กLearn how Zero Trust edge infrastructure can optimize performance for distributed AI applications.
โก 30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
Deployment of Zero Trust gateways across 250 physical sites
Why It Matters
This shift to decentralized, Zero Trust networking is critical for AI-driven enterprises needing low-latency access to edge-based AI models.
What To Do Next
Evaluate your network topology to see if edge-based security gateways can reduce latency for your distributed AI inference workloads.
Who should care:Enterprise & Security Teams
๐ง Deep Insight
Web-grounded analysis with 10 cited sources.
๐ Enhanced Key Takeaways
- โขToll Group's network modernization project, which began approximately nine months prior to June 2026, involves deploying Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange (ZTE) cloud platform, including Zero Trust Branch (ZTB) hardware gateways, Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA).
- โขThe initiative is projected to yield annual savings of 20 percent by transitioning from a capital expenditure (CapEx) to an operational expenditure (OpEx) spending model.
- โขThe deployment is a strategic move to connect Toll's 250 global sites directly into Azure and AWS cloud environments, with the long-term ambition of completely shutting down the company's remaining data centers.
- โขThis network overhaul is part of a broader digital transformation journey for Toll Group, influenced by past ransomware attacks in 2020, aiming to enhance overall operational efficiency, improve customer solutions, and bolster cyber resilience.
- โขThe project has already completed the network modernization for Toll's two Australian data centers, rolling out replacement gateways across the 23 domestic sites they served.
๐ ๏ธ Technical Deep Dive
- Vendor and Platform: Toll Group is deploying Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange (ZTE) cloud platform.
- Components: The deployment includes Zscaler's Zero Trust Branch (ZTB) hardware gateways, Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA).
- Architectural Shift: The new model shifts access-brokering and connectivity to the edge of Toll's network, effectively bypassing traditional SD-WAN nodes and firewall technologies previously hosted in data centers.
- Zero Trust Branch (ZTB) Functionality: ZTB is designed to combine high-performance SD-WAN and advanced device segmentation, connecting and securing branch, campus, and factory locations. It routes all traffic through the Zscaler platform, thereby eliminating network exposure and the need for traditional firewalls, VPNs, SD-WAN, and NAC-based segmentation.
- SASE Alignment: Zscaler Zero Trust SD-WAN, which is part of the Zero Trust Branch solution, is a core element of the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework.
- Security Features: The Zscaler platform supports features like micro-subnets, a ransomware kill switch, and integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
๐ฎ Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
Toll Group will accelerate the decommissioning of its remaining physical data centers.
The explicit long-term goal of this network modernization project is to shut down the company's remaining data centers, indicating a strong strategic shift towards a fully cloud-centric infrastructure.
The logistics industry will see increased adoption of cloud-native Zero Trust security models.
As a major global logistics provider, Toll Group's successful transition to a cloud-native Zero Trust architecture could set a precedent and encourage other industry players to move away from traditional perimeter security.
Toll Group's overall cyber resilience and operational efficiency will significantly improve.
The move to Zero Trust, partly driven by previous ransomware attacks, is designed to reduce the attack surface, enhance security posture, and streamline network operations, leading to better resilience and efficiency.
โณ Timeline
1888
Albert Toll established Toll in Newcastle, New South Wales.
2015
Toll Group was acquired by Japan Post.
2020-01
Toll Group experienced its first major ransomware attack (Mailto variant).
2020-05
Toll Group suffered a second ransomware attack (Nefilim malware).
2020-07
Toll Group launched a year-long 'accelerated cyber resilience program' and began rebuilding its security team.
2021
Toll Group embarked on a broader IT modernization journey, focusing on low-code development.
2022
Toll invested $100 million in new technologies and infrastructure, including upgrading its Warehouse Management System (WMS) to a cloud-based solution.
2023-09
Toll Group selected Mendix for low-code solutions, rapidly building multiple applications to enhance operational efficiency.
2023-11
Fujitsu assisted Toll Group in modernizing its data platform with Azure.
2025-09
Toll Group commenced its network modernization project with Zscaler, deploying Zero Trust Branch gateways.
๐ Sources (10)
Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.
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Original source: iTNews Australia โ