Unified threat management (UTM) is a tactic through which organizations ensure security management.
UTMs allow administrators to observe & control a wide range of security-oriented applications and infrastructure modules.
The best part is that all this can be done with a single management console.
It is a modified version of conventional firewalls and happens to be an all-inclusive security product with complete UTM Network Protection with Unified Threat Management appliance.
Basically, Unified Threat Management approach represents a combo of three different aspects: multiple security components, conjoined through a firewall base, in an appliance form factor.
That is, instead of using two or more devices for performing different security checks, keeping one appliance/device for all the functions.
UTMs can easily activate key firewall features such as anti-malware, intrusion prevention, email-protection and data packet filtering.
One UTM device is enough for reducing the complexity of your organization’s security strategy. A single UTM device replaces multiple deposits of hardware and software and from that single centralized console network managers can monitor and configure all sorts of security solutions.
But how does UTM do the work of multiple devices? UTM appliances actually have a customized Operating System that holds all the security ensuring components/features and controls them.
This eventually provides better integration.
Key features of Unified Threat Management
For full network protection and blocking of the latest sophistical attacks the Unified Threat Management appliance must have key features such as:
Firewall, Anti Spam, Anti Virus, Content Filter, Web Filter, IPS Intrusion Prevention System, Failover, VPN , Traffic Shaper.
Specially the Content Filter to block Torrent and unwanted services is important.
The IPS can block latest hacker and worm/bot attacks.
The strong Unified Threat Management will be automatically updated on a daily basis.
Initially, UTMs were created for small and medium sized businesses in order to protect their networks but gradually their use expanded to larger enterprises.
The reason is the wide range of security features that it offers in one box which ultimately proves cost-effective and convenient for managers.
These appliances have managed to simplified internet security at a time when threat landscape has become highly complex.
No organization can rely upon one feature for securing their network comprehensively and therefore, the need to install a system that offers maximum security features is understandable.
UTMs serve as the perfect answer to these requirements.
UTMs are usually bought as cloud services or network applications and offer a host of helpful features in one single package.
You can avail productive security ensuring features like firewall, gateway anti-spam, interference detection, anti-malware, junk and content filtering, and VPN abilities in an integrated package.
This package can be easily installed, configured and updated.
UTMs especially designed for enterprise customers are even more equipped with advanced features including access control based on identity, quality of service (QoS), load balancing, SSL and SSH examination and application alertness.
The UTM Unified Threat Management Firewalls have become the most prominent and widely adopted network security solutions within all sorts of small to medium sized and large-scale business environments.
The reason is the unparalleled user-friendliness UTM offers to network administrators by reducing costs and complexity of the systems’ security checking mechanism.
It offers a simplified single security solution involving a single vendor and single AMC.
There is no need of configuring a number of software and thus, the entire security examining process becomes flexible and convenient.
Moreover, due to their plug & Play architecture plus interactive web-based GUI, the management becomes easier.
Furthermore, the need for extensive training is also reduced since the team has to learn about using just one device.
If network administrator do not use HA, the probability of single point failure cannot be overlooked.
This will adversely affect network traffic.
Similarly, if the UTM is weak or vulnerable then the entire system will be compromised due to the single console management mechanism.
Lastly, if the UTM is unable to keep up with the traffic, it will potentially produce negative impact on bandwidth and latency.