How are DNS requests handled by Zscaler?

Zscaler handles DNS requests by tunneling them to the Zscaler cloud for resolution. This approach allows Zscaler to effectively enforce security policies and controls over DNS traffic, ensuring that all DNS queries are inspected and potentially malicious requests can be blocked. By directing these queries to the Zscaler cloud, it enables the service to provide features such as secure DNS filtering and threat intelligence, which enhances the overall security posture of the organizations using Zscaler.

The cloud-based DNS resolution also benefits users by offering scalability and reducing latency, as Zscaler’s global cloud infrastructure can respond to requests more swiftly than traditional on-premises solutions. This centralized handling of DNS requests aligns with Zscaler's mission to provide seamless and secure access to applications while simplifying network management.

In contrast, local processing or resolution of DNS requests would limit the company's ability to enforce consistent security policies and could increase the chances of exposure to threats. Redirecting requests to a separate DNS server may also mean that Zscaler's security features are not applied effectively. Ignoring requests would create serious operational issues and negatively impact user experience. Therefore, tunneling DNS requests to the Zscaler cloud stands as the most effective approach in this context.