What is Unified Threat Management?

Unified Threat Management, also abbreviated as UTM, is considered a complete solution to cybersecurity. It provides a lot of security features that secure internal networks from cyber threats. It is ideal for those who want a  single hardware device for all security-related issues.

These are the security features of UTM devices. UTM may have some or all security features as listed below:

• Network Firewall: Analyzes traffic and filters it as per configuration.
• Router/Switch: A router is used to connect two different networks and a switch is used to connect different systems in the same network. This feature allows UTM is very cost-effective.
• Spyware Detection: Spyware is a malicious program that collects personal information or monitors internet browsing activities. If a UTM solution contains this feature, it detects spyware and protects servers in data centers.
• Malware Inspection: Malware is a general term used for viruses, worms, and other malicious programs created to damage assets and servers.  UTM solution helps in the detection of malware and drops it accordingly.
• IP Filter: This feature filters the network traffic based on the source IP.
• URL Filtering: This feature filters the URL based on company policies.
• Bandwidth Shaper: This feature limits the rate of network traffic by manipulation and prioritization of packets.
• Spam Detection: This feature helps in the identification of spam email messages based on the spam block list maintained by the UTM manufacturer.
• Intrusion Detection System (IDS): This feature alerts the network administrator if an attacker tries to compromise the servers.
• Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): It examines the network traffic, identifies potential threats, and responds to them swiftly.
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): This feature provides real-time monitoring of security alerts generated by internal servers and network devices.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) support: It helps to extend the private network and access the internet in a secure and anonymous manner.
• Deep Packet Inspection: It helps in examining the network packets based on specific data or code payloads and drops or allows it accordingly.
• Gateway Antivirus: This helps the server administrator to trigger the scanning of all the systems in the network for the identification of malicious programs.

Is it a perfect solution to any cyber threat?

UTM, as try to give one solution for any type of cyber threat. But, as it tries to stop every cyberattack, it is not a perfect solution for every cyber threat. But definitely, it is a good addition to infrastructure to protect the network.