Zyxel Networks has announced a new GenAI Protection platform designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and managed service providers (MSPs) safely adopt generative AI technologies while reducing the risks associated with “shadow AI.”
Announced on 19 May 2026, the new solution combines enhanced firewall capabilities within Zyxel’s USG FLEX H Series alongside a strategic collaboration with AI startup HEARTBOT AI Inc. and its AnyInsight.ai service.
According to Zyxel Networks, the rapid adoption of generative AI tools in workplaces has introduced growing concerns surrounding unsanctioned AI usage, data leakage and compliance risks. The company cited recent survey findings showing that 44% of employees have used AI tools in ways that violate company policies, highlighting how shadow AI is becoming a major challenge for businesses.
Helping Businesses Control and Monitor AI Usage
At the core of the new solution is enhanced application awareness and control within the USG FLEX H Series firewall platform.
Zyxel says administrators can now manage generative AI access across company networks more easily through several new capabilities. One of the key additions is dedicated GenAI content filtering, which allows IT teams to block all AI applications with a single click, selectively approve specific services or redirect employees to secure AI platforms such as AnyInsight.ai.
The system also introduces advanced application patrol capabilities, enabling businesses to prioritise, throttle or block individual AI applications beyond simple website filtering. Zyxel says this gives organisations finer control over how employees interact with generative AI tools during work.
Real-time application visibility is another major feature. Administrators can monitor traffic activity and bandwidth usage to detect unusual spikes or suspicious AI-related activity that could potentially indicate sensitive data leakage or policy violations.
AnyInsight.ai Provides a Unified and Secure AI Workspace
To complement the firewall-level protections, Zyxel Networks has partnered with HEARTBOT AI Inc. to offer access to AnyInsight.ai, a cloud-native AI management platform designed for secure enterprise adoption of generative AI.
According to Zyxel, AnyInsight.ai provides managed access to more than:
● 20 leading large language models (LLMs)
● 350 AI agents
● Multiple AI-connected business applications
The platform allows employees to switch between AI models and tools within a controlled environment governed by user permissions and access policies. Businesses can also deploy customised AI agents tailored for specific workflows and operational tasks.
A major component of the platform is its AI Application Firewall functionality, which provides contextual monitoring and inspection of interactions between users, AI models, agents and connected applications.
Zyxel says the system logs user activity, tracks AI interactions and enforces security rules designed to prevent sensitive business information, workflows and internal knowledge from being exposed or misused.
Flexible Deployment for Businesses
AnyInsight.ai will also be available as an independent licensed service, allowing organisations to deploy additional AI governance and monitoring layers alongside Zyxel’s networking and firewall infrastructure.
HEARTBOT AI Inc. describes itself as a “Security for AI” startup focused on enabling secure and scalable generative AI adoption for enterprise environments.
Meanwhile, Zyxel Networks says its broader mission remains centred around delivering secure, AI-powered cloud networking solutions for SMBs and enterprise edge deployments across more than 150 global markets.
