Zyxel launches the GenAI protection for SMBs and MSPs

Zyxel Networks has launched GenAI Protection for small and medium-sized businesses and managed service providers, aimed at controlling workplace use of generative AI tools.

The offering combines new controls in Zyxel's USG FLEX H series firewalls with access to AnyInsight.ai, a cloud-based AI application platform developed with Heartbot AI. It is designed to give network administrators visibility into how staff use generative AI services and to limit the security and compliance risks linked to so-called shadow AI.

Businesses have moved quickly to adopt chatbots, large language models and AI-driven assistants, but many have struggled to set clear rules on which tools staff can use and what data can be entered into them. Zyxel cited survey data showing that 44% of employees have used AI in ways that breach company policies, underlining the scale of the governance challenge.

At the firewall level, Zyxel has added GenAI content filtering and application patrol functions to the USG FLEX H series. These tools let administrators block all generative AI applications through a dedicated category, approve selected services, or redirect users to alternatives such as AnyInsight.ai.

The application patrol feature gives IT teams more granular control over individual AI services. Administrators can prioritise, restrict or block specific applications rather than rely only on URL filtering. The system also provides real-time insight into traffic and bandwidth use, which could help identify unusual spikes in activity that may indicate unauthorised use or possible data leakage.

Managed access

Alongside the firewall changes, Zyxel is offering AnyInsight.ai as a managed route into generative AI tools. The platform provides access to more than 20 large language models and more than 350 AI agents and connected applications, according to the company.

Within that environment, organisations can set roles and permissions to govern which users may access particular models, agents and connected tools. The platform is intended to let employees switch between AI services in a controlled setting while giving employers a record of user activity, data usage and AI interactions.

Organisations can also deploy custom AI agents for specific tasks or workflows. Zyxel positions this as a way to support internal AI use while maintaining tighter oversight of how information and business processes are handled.

Security focus

A central part of the offering is an AI application firewall within AnyInsight.ai. This enables contextual inspection of interactions between users, language models, agents and AI-connected applications. The system is designed to log activity and enforce access policies intended to stop sensitive data, internal knowledge and workflows from being exposed or misused.

The move reflects a broader trend in enterprise technology, as suppliers try to place security and policy controls around the fast-growing use of public AI tools. For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, the issue has become more pressing as staff increasingly use consumer AI services without formal approval from IT teams.

Zyxel is targeting both SMBs and managed service providers, which often manage networking and security infrastructure on behalf of smaller companies. By tying generative AI controls to existing firewall products, the company is positioning the offering as an extension of established network security management rather than a standalone AI software purchase.

AnyInsight.ai will also be available as a separately licensed service, giving organisations the option to add the platform without relying solely on Zyxel's firewall products for oversight.

Heartbot AI, which worked with Zyxel on the platform, focuses on security controls for enterprise AI adoption. AnyInsight.ai is built as a cloud-native interface for accessing multiple AI models, agents and AI-linked applications with embedded governance and compliance controls.

Zyxel said the new offering is intended to address a gap that has emerged as generative AI use spreads faster than many internal policies can keep pace with. Network administrators are being asked not only to permit or ban services, but also to monitor what types of information move into and out of AI systems.

"Generative AI is transforming how businesses operate, but without proper safeguards, it can introduce significant risks," said Gary Chen, ANZ Regional Head, Zyxel Networks. "Our GenAI Protection solution empowers SMBs and MSPs to embrace AI with confidence by providing the visibility, control, and protection needed to prevent data loss and ensure responsible usage."