Microsegmentation tools enforce granular control and cybersecurity policies for east-west traffic between workloads, especially when firewalls and traditional network segmentation fail to do the job. Tools like these can be used to contain ransomware, support Zero Trust architecture, and secure hybrid and cloud infrastructure environments where dependencies, load balancing, and traffic routing make visibility and enforcement more complex. This article explains how the tools work, who should use them, and how to choose the right approach.
Microsegmentation in practice
Microsegmentation platforms manage east-west traffic between workloads using identity-based access controls and security policies that are enforced at the individual workload or endpoint level, as opposed to large VLANs or legacy network segmentation methods. It’s different from firewalls, which are used for north-south traffic and can help enforce microsegmentation policies internally. Instead, microsegmentation isolates data center and hybrid environment communications, reducing the internal attack surface and preventing lateral movement without degrading network performance. This approach supports Zero Trust security, improves overall security posture, and aligns with microsegmentation strategies for large, hybrid enterprises.
A common use case is the segmentation of cloud platforms and on-premises resources, allowing only approved workloads to interact. In the healthcare and financial industries, for example, security teams can micro-segment critical applications using automation, least privilege, and granular policy enforcement to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited and ransomware from spreading across software-defined networks. Visibility of network traffic flows and orchestration across hybrid clouds are among the most common considerations when evaluating microsegmentation vendors and microsegmentation tools.
Leading microsegmentation tools and products
Microsegmentation solutions offer visibility into east-west traffic, support regulatory compliance, and help isolate workloads by enforcing identity-based security policies that contain malware and reduce lateral movement. These platforms operate in hybrid environments where legacy firewalls and VLANs cannot provide sufficient security. Platform features may include policy enforcement, automation, and near real-time visualization of traffic flows across multi-cloud, on-premises, and other infrastructure.
Available offerings in the microsegmentation space include Illumio, Akamai Guardicore, VMware NSX, Cisco Secure Workload, and SaaS-based, platform-agnostic orchestration platforms that work across segmentation vendors. Documentation and resources, such as Zero Trust and Microsegmentation, provide more details about Microsegmentation Solutions within the context of broader Zero Trust network security strategies. The Tufin Orchestration Suite simplifies network complexity with a unified control plane that delivers centralized visibility, automated policy orchestration, and continuous compliance across hybrid environments.
IT teams also evaluate peer comparisons, analyst reports, and real-world use cases to gain a deeper understanding of how vendors’ products function in complex network environments. For example, Illumio is known for its agent-based visibility and workload-centric segmentation tactics, while Akamai Guardicore is known for its micro-granular traffic mapping and breach containment solutions. Independent reviews, such as those comparing Microsegmentation vs. Zero Trust, provide information about which specific platform is best at blocking unauthorized access or lowering overall risk.
Evaluation may also be based on criteria like ease of integration with on-premises firewalls, virtualization platforms, and other cloud security controls. Security teams may be seeking additional features such as orchestration, least privilege access, specialized controls for highly regulated industries, or scalable segmentation that can support large, hybrid enterprises.
Challenges, buying criteria, and microsegmentation strategies
Adoption of microsegmentation is not always seamless. Teams often encounter challenges with legacy VLANs, static firewalls, and complicated hybrid environments that can slow down deployments and leave gaps for cyber threats to move laterally and compromise secure networks. These situations often result in difficulties applying and enforcing policies with consistency or gaining visibility into east–west traffic.
Starting with small steps, such as workload communication mapping, understanding application dependencies, and identifying early use cases for identity-based policies, can help clear the way forward. The necessary groundwork for effective network segmentation has been built. The above-stated elements are also suggested by the security teams who have completed the Microsegmentation Beginner’s Guide.
As for the buying criteria, those seeking a microsegmentation solution often start by evaluating various features, such as agent-based vs. agentless deployment options, the degree of automation, scalability, and cross-platform compatibility, for on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures. Tufin Orchestration Suite centralizes policy management and automates policy orchestration and enforcement across multi-cloud and traditional data center networks. Organizations also look for features such as built-in compliance reporting for standards like GDPR, the availability of managed services, and controls that reduce the risk of data breaches in regulated industries.
A strong strategy includes defining least privilege policies, testing against real-time traffic patterns, and coordinating responsibilities across network security, DevOps, and application teams. Guidance from network segmentation vs VLAN reinforces the importance of aligning existing network segmentation with microsegmentation solutions to minimize gaps and unauthorized access.
Microsegmentation work does not end after initial deployment. As applications move and workloads scale, policies need continuous review to prevent misconfigurations and security risks. Teams monitor for lateral movement, validate segmentation against evolving architectures, and maintain Zero Trust policies across complex infrastructure.
Conclusion
Microsegmentation tools reduce risk and exposure by enforcing identity-based access controls and limiting lateral access in hybrid cloud, on-premises, and multi-cloud environments. They provide security teams with visibility into traffic and data flows, simplifying the containment of lateral movement without re-architecting traditional networks. When comparing solutions, whether Illumio, Guardicore, VMware, or Cisco, value is realized with a security solution that aligns with your infrastructure, orchestrates easily, and scales with your dynamic workloads. If you are ready to see how this approach will work in your network, request a demo.
Frequently asked questions
What is a microsegmentation tool, and how does it improve security in hybrid networks?
Microsegmentation tools are security solutions that enable the implementation of fine-grained policies between workloads, rather than relying on firewalls or VLANs. They help you isolate east-west traffic in the cloud and hybrid data centers, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and internal attacks.
Learn how they help in an enterprise setting here: Network Segmentation vs. VLAN.
How do microsegmentation tools support Zero Trust security strategies?
Microsegmentation supports zero trust by allowing only identity-based, authorized traffic to flow between applications. This limits lateral movement, secures sensitive workloads, and enhances policy enforcement across cloud and on-premises environments.
Learn about segmentation in the context of Zero Trust: Zero Trust vs. Microsegmentation.
What do teams need to consider before using microsegmentation tools?
Teams need to identify critical workloads, map traffic flows, and ensure access controls won’t impact business operations. This planning prevents unnecessary complexity when you implement microsegmentation and ensures scalability.
Learn about a great starting point in this article on Microsegmentation.
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