Data security remains the most critical cybersecurity issue on the map today. It’s now standard to employ some firewall type on every system, most commonly a next-generation firewall (NGFW). However, another multipurpose option is available: a unified threat management (UTM) appliance.
Companies want secure, reliable systems, so many look for high-end tools that protect data and prevent downtime from cyber threats. However, the market offers a lot of options, and that makes it hard to tell which solution fits your needs. Before choosing between a next-generation firewall and unified threat management, it helps to understand what each one offers.
People often use the terms next-generation firewall and unified threat management interchangeably. This article breaks down the real differences between them. It will also help you decide which option better protects your sensitive user information and private data.
The Purpose Of A Firewall
A firewall is one of the most vital pieces of defense your business has against digital threats. You can view your firewall as the gatekeeper between the organization’s servers and the outside world. When you maintain your firewall correctly, it protects your servers from external threats. It also handles subtler problems by alerting you and intercepting ongoing data. Paired with an anti-malware suite, a firewall can save your business from cyberattacks and virus infections. If you do not catch them in time, those attacks can lead to significant revenue loss.
Connecting your computer to the internet without protection is like leaving your front door open for outsiders. That is why the firewall is essential because it acts as the doorkeeper. The firewall is a piece of software that stands between your computer or network and the Internet. In other words, firewall software scans every incoming and outgoing data packet for malicious or inappropriate content. Then it either allows the packet into the system or denies it entry.
Without a firewall, every request reaches vulnerable systems, so attackers can access your computer for their own gain. A firewall blocks unauthorized requests and allows passage only to designated traffic. A firewall uses a few key functions to keep your servers safe, and we will briefly go through them below.
Filtering
One of the most important aspects of a firewall is the filtering option. When your computer sends a request across the internet, the request travels as a data packet. It moves through the network until it reaches its destination. The targeted server sends a response back to the computer in the same format and along the same route. Firewalls monitor every data packet that passes through, checking its content, source, and destination.
During monitoring, the firewall compares each packet to its internal rules. If it detects an unauthorized packet, it discards the data. Typically, firewalls will allow web browsers, email, and other common programs while discarding other incoming requests.
Logging
The firewall’s ability to log any incoming traffic is also an important feature. By tracking many data packets, the firewall builds a clear picture of the traffic your system handles. This feature helps you identify the source of external threats. You can also use it to monitor the activity of other system users.
Internal Threats
Even though we mostly talked about the external attacks, some of the threats might come from inside. Your firewall serves the valuable purpose of monitoring ongoing connections. Some malware sends signals after it takes over a system, so attackers can take specific actions or control the computer remotely. A firewall can alert you to unknown programs or a possible malware infection. That way, you can shut down the system before the damage spreads.
A next-generation firewall can be software or hardware based. It also goes beyond assessing and acting on data packets, with extra functions that help defend the network, such as:
- Stateful inspection
- Application awareness
- Active Directory or LDAP identification
- A fully integrated intrusion protection system
- Bridged or routed modes available
What is a Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliance?
A Unified Threat Management provides a wide array of security features in a single device or service on the network. The functions included in UTMs include anti-spam, content filtering, web filtering, and anti-virus. You can think of a UTM system as a hardware appliance, virtual appliance, or cloud service. It protects your systems from threats in a simplified way. UTMs combine and integrate multiple services and features into a converged platform of point security products.
UTM systems suit small and midsize businesses. Most of their features fall into three categories:
- Firewall, intrusion prevention (IPS), and virtual private network (VPN)
- Messaging security, including anti-spam and mail antivirus
- Secure web gateway security, including web antivirus and URL filtering
What a UTM appliance can do
We mentioned that NGFW could be either software or hardware-based, but UTM appliances are always hardware. This brings advantages and disadvantages. The one minor drawback is that a UTM appliance only works when you connect it to the main network. The advantages of a UTM appliance are the wide array of functions it can perform from that position:
- Load balancing for the network
- Avert data leaks
- Data loss prevention
- Gateway antivirus prevention
- Gateway anti-spam
- Network intrusion detection and prevention
- Appliance reporting
- Email security
- URL filtering
- Content filtering
- Wireless security
- Virtual private network termination
- Web application firewalls
- DDOS mitigation
- Reduced compliance burden
- Continual automatic updates
- Accelerated performance
In short, a UTM appliance includes every function of an NGFW, plus a wide range of other critical uses. It is possible to get all these services from myriad vendors and applications. However, a UTM appliance centralizes all the data, so you can view it as a whole. That gives you a better real-time overview of network threat detection. Various UTM brands will offer even more specialized tasks.
Choosing The Right Option For Your Needs
The concepts present substantial differences, and some might find it confusing or hard to understand. However, many writers and suppliers argue that there is no difference in practice between UTM and NGFW. As the technology matured, vendors solved many of the main UTM challenges, and UTMs can now support large environments.
Other opinions might point towards some differences between the two security solutions. Some argue that an NGFW fits high-traffic environments better. Examples include telecommunications, complex businesses, and other facilities that centralize large amounts of data traffic. However, some of these complex infrastructures might require you to separate security assets for the environment’s scalability and resilience.
In that case, some recommend a UTM firewall for small and medium-sized businesses with lower data flow. Whatever the label, make sure the perimeter security solution you buy meets your functional and growth needs.
Conclusion
Since an NGFW and a UTM appliance perform the same essential functions, there is no wrong answer here. Even many knowledgeable IT professionals use the two terms interchangeably. The price range on either purchase even tends to fall within the same general range. A UTM appliance already includes a next-generation firewall. So the real question is whether you need the extra services a UTM adds. More protection is always useful, as long as you can monitor and respond to the alerts it generates. Staying ahead of new cybersecurity threats matters just as much.
With Volico Data Centers, you have access to a comprehensive IT security solution that guards your system against hostile intrusions. Our security services include every feature of a high-end managed security solution, so your data and network connections stay safe.
Ready to see how a UTM appliance or NGFW from Volico can dramatically improve threat management for your IT services?
To find out more about cybersecurity options, have one of our friendly security experts contact you to begin the conversation. Discover how Volico can help you with your Managed Security needs.
• Call: (305) 735-8098
• Chat with a member of our team to discuss which solution best fits your needs.
