(October 17, 2022) Unified threat management improves security through consolidated control. By combining multiple security functions in a single appliance, UTM solutions allow administrators to monitor and manage a wide variety of security-related tasks from a single dashboard. They can help organizations reduce alert fatigue and other management challenges involved with building a layered security environment.
IT industry best practices call for the creation of a multi-layered security architecture using a variety of different security tools. The idea is to create a highly redundant defense that can withstand gaps or weaknesses in any single component.
Deploying too many tools can actually diminish overall security, however. With dozens of different solutions in place, organizations can become overwhelmed by the sheer number of logs and security alerts they must monitor and evaluate. Multiple studies have shown that IT professionals get more security alerts than they can possibly investigate.
Unified threat management improves security through consolidated control. By combining multiple security functions in a single appliance, UTM solutions allow administrators to monitor and manage a wide variety of security-related tasks from a single dashboard. They can help organizations reduce alert fatigue and other management challenges involved with building a layered security environment.
Deployed at the network perimeter, UTM appliances can act as a firewall to restrict network access. However, they also incorporate additional features, including:
Intrusion detection and prevention. IDP systems use a variety of monitoring techniques to inspect network traffic for malicious activity or policy violations. The system blocks malicious traffic from entering the network and reports it to the network administrator for further analysis and action.
Antivirus and antimalware. Integrated software detects and blocks known viruses as well as more novel threats such as zero-day attacks, ransomware, keyloggers, and browser hijackers. Most UTM solutions automatically update antivirus and antimalware software with the latest threat signatures and security intelligence.
Application awareness. With this feature, administrators can monitor and control application usage, and enforce security policies at the application layer. For example, you can create a whitelist of trusted applications as well as a blacklist of untrusted apps that are always blocked.
Virtual private networking. UTM appliances allow organizations to establish VPN connections with remote or mobile employees. They support strong encryption to ensure data privacy across these connections.
Access control. Administrators can create identity-based network access policies for individual users, delivering increased control over network activities. These policies ensure that users only have access to the network resources they need to do their jobs, reducing the risk of insider threats. Policy changes set through the UTM dashboard are propagated throughout the network, eliminating the need to reconfigure multiple security devices.
Content and spam filtering. Content filtering allows your administrators to block risky websites, as well as sites that are known to be major time-wasters. Spam filtering goes even further by blocking spam emails from getting through your network and hitting your inbox.
Data loss prevention. DLP solutions can prevent sensitive information from leaving the company by email, and unauthorized users from downloading or copying data onto USB devices or other unsecured endpoints. These solutions scan email headers, body content, and attachments to enforce a range of best-practice security measures.
UTM isn’t a complete replacement for your endpoint security solutions. It helps consolidate the tools you need to secure your environment and reduces the number of additional solutions required.
Cyberthreats have become more frequent, sophisticated, and malicious with the mass transition to remote operations. Although organizations are increasing their security investments to cope with new threats, it is possible to have too many security tools. UTM solutions can help organizations improve their security posture with centralized control over multiple security measures.
ABOUT MAINSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES
Mainstream Technologies delivers a full range of technology services in Arkansas and the surrounding region including managed technology States services and consulting custom software development and cybersecurity services. We also offer industry-leading data center services in our Little Rock facilities. Established in 1996, Mainstream has earned a reputation for delivering quality, reliable, and professional technology services for public and private-sector customers across the United States.
Jeff Pracht
IT Business Development Manager
(479) 715-8629 Office
(501) 529-0008 Mobile
