Features to Expect
There seems
to be a core set of features which UTMs include, these being:
Firewalling: stopping hacker attacks from the Internet,
and even threats from the inside getting out,
Content Filtering: Controlling what network users can access
through the web. For instance this could
be URL blocking, or key phrase detection,
Web Anti-virus: stopping webpage based viruses and threats
such as phishing attacks,
Web Proxy: speeds up web page access by keeping local
copies of frequently visited sites,
Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention: Indentify when attacks are
beginning to happen before the hacker can penetrate your defenses, and automate
a protection strategy,
Virtual Private Networking: to allow remote offices and mobile
teleworkers access to their office network resources, with integrated
protection from the UTM device,
Mail Anti-spam and Anti-virus: detect and manage spam and viruses
in email before it gets to your mailbox,
Logging and Reporting: be able to monitor what threats
are coming from the Internet (or from inside your network), and report on your
organisation’s Internet usage,
De-Militarised Zone ‘DMZ’:
is a zone where organisations can place their web servers or other
systems where Internet accessibility is welcomed,
Case Study: Endian UTM
The Endian
UTM system is one innovative solution which stands out because of its
ease-of-use, availability as either hardware or software, its basis on open
source technologies, and its wireless hotspot support.
Like most
UTMs, Endian solutions best find their place in small-medium businesses –
generally who like to squeeze as much functionality out of a system as
possible! One recent installation was
conducted at the newly launched regional Public Library in
The Junee
Library also has a number of public computers which provide Internet access to
the public who wish to use the library’s resources. Library staff wanted to enable internet
access via the public computers, but also to the regular flow of visitors who
bring their own notebook computers, and request wireless internet access. With the Endian acting as the gatekeeper,
library staff can now control the time window, and content control for any computers
using the library facility, whether they are wired or unwired.
Future
The future
for UTMs is likely to yield increased sophistication, so that the differences become
blurred between UTM functions and best-of-breed systems. Hardware appliances will become faster and
cheaper, perfectly in line with the rapid improvement in microprocessor and
memory development. Identity management
and tracking is an area which needs to be simplified, especially for
organisations who will rely on UTMs for their Internet monitoring.
Other new
and innovative features will begin to appear, such as wireless hotspots,
cloud-computing integration, collaborative anti-virus/anti-spam defense
systems, and integrated virtualized solutions.
However, Unified Threat Management systems are available now, and these
mature products will provide instant protection and cost savings for small
businesses looking for effective security solutions.
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