Discussions surrounding UTM are common in the realm of network security, but it’s important to actually understand what this entails. When it comes to unified threat management tools, there’s quite a bit to choose from. Hardware firewalls, cloud security solutions, and even wireless access points (WAPs) are just a few examples here.
The reality is that you won’t get comprehensive UTM through a single device or solution; it requires a multi-layered outlook. Having effective UTM security is how you can navigate fragmented solutions without leaving your business vulnerable.
Cyber threats are only becoming more advanced with time, and this requires a more proactive approach to network security than ever before. For this article, you’re getting a direct look at some of the leading unified threat management tools that can keep your business protected from all sides.
Important Components of UTM Security
For the best possible outcome, your stance on UTM will need to focus on several tools. Firewalls might be a given in this scenario, but it isn’t the end-all be-all of what you need. Keep in mind that the scope of UTM can easily change with new products, services, and growing cyber threats.
Here are a few crucial components of any UTM strategy:
- Next-generation firewall (NGFW) hardware
- Wireless access points
- VPNs and remote access tools
- Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
- Robust antivirus and antimalware
Even if some or all of these sound familiar, they’re still only a handful of unified threat management examples. Although it’s true that many UTM devices come with multi-layered protection for your network, it’s important to dig into the fine print. The capabilities of NGFW cybersecurity have a lot to offer, but you have to look past the surface for a comprehensive UTM plan.
Key UTM Cybersecurity Solutions Beyond Firewalls
When you take the landscape of today’s cyber threats into account, the layers that go into network security make a lot of sense. You don’t want any vulnerabilities here, and that’s made possible through layers of unified threat management tools. Aside from the need and popularity behind firewall devices, integrations like WAPs, network switches, and cloud-based security matter as well.
Secure Wireless Access Points
Another piece of hardware you might be familiar with, wireless access points, do a lot more than you might expect. With features like rogue AP detection and WPA3 encryption, WAPs support end-to-end protection. You can either focus on standalone deployments or mesh them with many layers of your network security architecture. These are pretty easy to find on the market and are known to be a popular choice from manufacturers like SonicWall and Fortinet.
Network Switches for Integrated Security
Equipped with features such as VLAN segmentation, 802.1X authentication, and comprehensive port security, network switches serve as another crucial security layer. With it, you’re getting unified visibility and management that’s easily scalable.
This is especially true when paired with the right firewall setup, which really helps minimize the potential for lateral movement from cyberattacks. Of course, you’ll find network switches that offer various features, but just like WAPs, reliable switches aren’t hard to find from reliable manufacturers.
Cloud-Based Management
Offering cost efficiency, ease of use, and scalability, cloud-based management can help simplify network security management. The tech also commonly includes support for automation, multi-site policy deployment, and compliance monitoring as well.
Other benefits of cloud-based management include the following:
- Zero-touch provisioning
- Much faster incident response
- Centralized visibility on any threats
- Extremely flexible and scalable solution
- Better customization for reporting and analytics
Cloud-based enterprise security tools are still going through an adoption phase worldwide. For many businesses, once they see the true benefit behind it, any skepticism tends to wear off. One could argue this opens your business up to more attack surfaces, but that’s another good example of why unified threat management is so important.
Let’s Wrap Up
The conversation surrounding UTM won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. It’s a vital step in any thorough network security architecture. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about a convoluted setup, as it can be easily integrated with firewalls and other relevant security solutions.
Unified threat management tools aren’t only important for day-to-day security, but also for extensive network visibility. For those ready to dive into UTM solutions, don’t forget our team members are here to help you avoid any questions or concerns in your decision-making. Give us a shout, and we’ll make sure you avoid any confusion in your network security setup.
