IT
Creating a Complete Security Solution With Unified Threat Management
Organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the potential hazards their computer systems are exposed to through use of the internet. These include viruses, malware and a variety of other potentially catastrophic agents.
In order to address these issues IT professionals take all the prescribed precautions installing anti-virus software, spam filters, firewalls, and a whole range of different applications designed to protect vulnerable networks.
However, this patchwork approach to network protection has the potential to create a number of blind spots while at the same time causing overlaps and redundancies that consume resources without providing any additional protection.
Unified Threat Management
A single holistic solution with plug and play simplicity seems like the optimal approach for organisations looking to protect their computer networks. Unified Threat Management represents such a comprehensive solution.
Unified Threat Management protects IT Infrastructures through a single appliance that covers all possible threats and allows them to be managed and overseen from a single management console. This approach removes the need for multiple layers of hardware and software while also reducing the considerable resources required to manage them.
Universal Threat Management applications incorporate the full spectrum of protective and preventative measures, seamlessly integrating them to prevent security gaps that might be open to exploitation.
Universal Threat Management also incorporates a number of security features that are not included in standard security software.
End Point
Endpoint security is becoming an increasingly central component of network security due to the growth in the use of mobile devices along with the requirement for remote access. Each mobile device accessing a network creates an endpoint that represents a potential point of entry for security threats. Endpoint security solutions ensure each device requesting access complies with certain standards in order to negate this threat.
Honey Pots
Attackers look for certain vulnerabilities in networks in order to gain access to important data, spam a network or otherwise cause damage. A honeypot is a trap set to detect or deflect attempts at unauthorized use of information systems. Generally it consists of a computer, data or a network site that appears to be part of a network but is actually isolated and protected, and which seems to contain information that would be of value to attackers. A honeypot is valuable as a surveillance and early-warning tool.
Website Protection
Companies are using their websites to provide more comprehensive services to their customers and as a result websites are more closely integrated with internal networks. Unfortunately, website and network security are often handled separately which can create a serious security gap. This lack of integration can lead to unauthorized access and damage to a company’s network whereas an integrated solution that protects both the website and network together will help minimize this vulnerability.
Security Expertise
For Business Sectors such as Finance and Law, without the expertise in-house to deliver this critical service, consideration should be given to a Managed UTM Service. This will significantly reduce the costs and complexity and ensure this vital service is provided for where network security is paramount.
By Siobhan Cusack