Remote Access Deployment with Cato Clients – Simplifying Secure Connectivity

Introduction

Securing remote workers without compromising performance is a growing challenge for IT teams. Cato’s remote client, integrated within the SASE platform, enables users to connect securely from anywhere — across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. With the latest CMA updates, deploying and managing these clients is easier, faster, and offers deep visibility into user sessions and behaviors.

This guide will walk you through deploying Cato Clients, integrating with identity providers, and leveraging CMA tools to monitor and troubleshoot remote access in real time.
 

Key Takeaways

• Understand how to deploy Cato Clients across different operating systems
• Learn how to configure client policies and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) rules
• Discover where to monitor live client sessions and analyze connectivity
• Explore troubleshooting tools to reduce remote access downtime
• Get tips on user onboarding and policy enforcement
   

Where to Find Remote Access Management in CMA

Navigate to Access > Clients to:

• Deploy new client versions
• View connected users and their current sessions
• Configure client-specific policies such as split tunneling or threat protection

Integration with identity providers like Azure AD or Okta is found under Access > Identity Providers, enabling seamless SSO and multi-factor authentication for remote users.
 

Deploying Cato Clients: Step-by-Step

1. Download the Client Installer from the CMA or Cato portal for the required platform (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
2. Push Clients via MDM/Group Policy for enterprise-scale rollout or distribute installers manually for smaller groups.
3. Configure Client Policies in CMA to enforce security posture (e.g., block local network access, enable malware scanning).
4. Link Client Access to ZTNA Policies under Access > Policies to restrict resource access based on identity and device posture.
    

Real-World Tip: Smooth User Onboarding

Use CMA’s Client Sessions dashboard to identify users struggling with connectivity issues — such as frequent disconnects or version mismatches — and proactively push updates or adjust policies before tickets are raised.

Monitoring and Troubleshooting Remote Clients

• Live Sessions View: See connected devices, bandwidth usage, and session duration.
• Event Logs: Check connection failures, authentication errors, or policy violations.
• Diagnostic Tools: Use integrated ping and traceroute from the client side to isolate latency issues.

Best Practices for Policy Enforcement

• Enable split tunneling to balance security with performance, routing sensitive traffic through Cato and local internet-bound traffic directly.
• Regularly review ZTNA policies to minimize attack surfaces by limiting application access.
• Use device posture checks for higher-risk resources to ensure only compliant devices connect.
   

Next Steps

Deploy a pilot group with CMA’s client tools and monitor their experience via Access > Clients and Home > Experience Monitoring dashboards. Adjust policies based on usage data and expand rollout gradually.
 

FAQ Summary

Can Cato Clients connect over cellular networks?

Yes, clients support any IP-based connection including Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G.
 

Are there native clients for mobile devices?

Yes, Cato offers native apps for iOS and Android platforms.

How does CMA handle client software updates?

You can push updates centrally via CMA or rely on auto-update functionality within the clients.
 

Can remote client access be restricted by location?

Yes, ZTNA policies can enforce geo-based access restrictions.

Is there visibility into individual user bandwidth usage?
Yes, live sessions provide per-client usage stats.