What is Unified Threat Management (UTM)? Everything you need to know

Network security is a complex challenge. Threats emerge from malware, viruses, software exploits, insider access, and unsecured email or collaboration tools. Diverse cybersecurity threats demand versatile solutions.

One of the most popular ways to combat every critical cybersecurity threat is Unified Threat Management (UTM).

UTM is about consolidating security features on a single appliance. Security managers bring diagnostic, filtering, and quarantine tools together. Single control panels provide real-time awareness, identifying threats and coordinating responses.

Sounds good? Let's explore the idea in more detail and explain how UTM could fit into your security posture.

Key takeaways

• Unified Threat Management (UTM) combines essential security functions on a single appliance. This simplifies cybersecurity, giving security teams more control and making threats more visible.
• UTM features include virus, malware, and spyware scanners. Implementations include firewalls and VPNs and may also include data loss prevention, intrusion prevention, and anti-spam solutions.
• The main difference between UTM and Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) is that NGFWs inspect network traffic in depth, while UTM includes firewalls alongside other security tools. As a result, UTM firewalls may not filter traffic as precisely as NGFWs.
• UTM benefits include cost savings, simplification, and easy scaling. Companies can cover all core security tasks and secure network assets easily. Challenges include implementation, vendor lock-in, and network slowdown.

What is Unified Threat Management?

Unified Threat Management brings together every security appliance or tool an organization uses on a single device.

Traditional security solutions involved combining separate devices and software tools. With UTM, Security tools reside in a single location and are accessed via a single management console.

When properly designed, UTM simplifies cybersecurity and allows organizations to neutralize critical threats.

Vital security functions like firewalls, intrusion detection, content filtering, access management, virus protection, and spam removal all fall under the same umbrella. Functions are visible, easily customized, and constantly available to monitor security threats.

UTM appliances monitor and prevent data breaches. Data Loss Prevention systems (DLP) ensure that confidential data remains secure and only accessible to authorized individuals. Firewall tools, antivirus, and anti-malware scanners prevent intrusions, while VPNs guard network traffic.

How does UTM work?

UTM implementations have two components: appliances and functionalities.

UTM appliances store and consolidate multiple security features. Appliances could comprise physical hardware or applications.

Devices and appliances combine Unified Threat Management features such as virus scanners and firewalls. They enable configuration changes and application updates. Control systems also allow security teams to monitor each component via application control.

UTM functionalities are the separate components that form the security system. Specialist data loss prevention tools, email filters, malware scanners, and cloud firewall tools could all be part of the mix.

Features of a unified threat management system

The makeup of a Unified Threat Management system depends on the network traffic types. Systems must inspect incoming and outgoing traffic, detect suspicious activity, and trigger mitigation action. With that in mind, the following features are common in UTM systems.

• Firewalls. A network firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic, preventing access to unauthorized or suspicious data.
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). An Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems inspect traffic within the network and at the network edge. IDPS tools identify potential threats and respond via quarantine and neutralization tools.
• Antivirus and anti-malware tools. Counter specific types of digital threats, including persistent agents, worms, or malware from phishing attacks. Solutions may also include separate anti-spyware scanners for extra security.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN). Creates an encryption tunnel around network traffic. This makes traffic invisible to external attackers and helps keep data safe.
• Content filtering or web filtering. Inspects traffic and requests from network devices. It also prevents users from accessing prohibited websites or data types. UTM may include spam filtering to clean email traffic. Advanced solutions also use application control to manage access to specific apps or websites.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP). Tracks sensitive data, recording its location and status, and prevents data extraction via unsafe methods.
• Centralized management. UTM pools various Unified Threat Management functions. It provides a single point of control, making alerts and network metrics visible at all times.
• Access control. UTM may allow security teams to manage user directories and request authentication for network entry.
• Bandwidth management. Balances network loads, ensuring smooth performance and enabling UTM tools to function without network slowdown.
• Restore points. Records the status of network settings and assets. It enables security teams to restore operations when attacks or outages occur.

UTM benefits

UTM does not suit every situation. Companies must weigh the pros and cons before choosing a vendor. Benefits of using UTM include:

• Simplified cybersecurity. Combines endpoint and application protection in a single system. A single team (or person) manages security, making it easier to maintain control.
• Effective threat defense. Technicians can manage firewalls, data quarantines, and system recovery via a single panel. Fewer threats will escape your filters and scanning tools.
• Cost savings. Using a single security device is more cost-effective than sourcing hardware firewalls, separate virus scanners, and VPNs. Instead, users purchase a single solution to cover their security needs.
• Scaling. UTM scales naturally as networks expand, unlike security systems with diverse devices and software solutions.

Common UTM mistakes to avoid

While UTM can be beneficial, implementations can also run into problems. Challenges include:

Implementation

UTM may not integrate smoothly with existing security systems or critical apps. In those situations, rolling out a secure UTM setup takes time and expertise.

Solution: Plan UTM implementation and test compatibility before security systems go live. Use API-based integration to connect UTM with existing tools, and implement unified policy management to cover every base.

Network slowdown

Poorly implemented solutions cause network slowdown via UTM firewall configurations or improperly defined filters.

Solution: Prioritize critical network traffic with Quality of Service rules. Regularly audit firewall rules to ensure they meet efficiency goals while blocking threats.

Single point of failure

When one security system fails, others follow, leading to a complete security breakdown.

Solution: In this case, you should consider adding redundancy via multiple UTM firewalls and failover processes.

Vendor lock-in

Companies that choose poorly may be stuck with ineffective, expensive security tools.

Solution: Always assess potential vendors to find a high-quality and flexible security partner. Apply interoperability principles to allow service changes if needed. 

UTM vs. next-generation firewalls

It's important to distinguish between Unified Threat Management and next-generation firewalls (NGFWs). The two technologies perform similar roles, but they aren't identical.

Unified Threat Management is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution. It covers all security threats in a user-friendly unified environment via a single UTM appliance.

Simplified configuration makes UTM easy to install, especially on less complex network architecture. That's why UTM is often a go-to option when small and medium-sized enterprises need advanced threat protection.

NGFW solutions enhance traditional firewalls, using techniques like deep packet inspection (DPI) to defend the network perimeter in depth. DPI ensures a high level of protection against unauthorized intrusions.

Larger companies use NGFWs alongside separate VPNs or antivirus solutions. They tend to value the ability to customize firewall settings beyond the simplified functions of a UTM firewall.

Key differences and similarities

In practical terms, UTMs and NGFWs unify security features and neutralize common network security threats. However, there are some things to consider when choosing between UTM and NGFW solutions.

• NGFWs tend to be more complex to install. By contrast, you can purchase UTM systems and quickly consolidate security tools.
• Core NGFW functions often exist within UTM solutions alongside other tools like virus protection or VPNs. Companies may need filtering systems not provided by NGFWs, making UTM solutions more useful.
• UTM can suffer from compatibility issues. Integrating UTM with existing software or devices can be more difficult than adding an NGFW, especially in complex network settings.
• Companies may also buy more UTM coverage than they require. In many cases, advanced firewalls provide enough security, and you can toggle firewall services to turn functions on or off.

UTM: looking to the future

UTM is evolving rapidly due to market demand. According to industry experts Jupiter Research, the UTM sector will double from $7.5 billion in 2023 to $14.8 billion in 2028.

Cutting-edge UTM solutions now cover IoT devices, cloud assets, and AI-driven cyber threats. As threats and network architecture become more complex, companies are desperate for ways to simplify cybersecurity. Cloud-based UTM is often the most convenient option.

The best future UTM solutions will use AI to anticipate critical threats and follow SASE models, defending complex local, cloud, and remote network assets. They will also deploy cloud firewall solutions to cover every file and application, wherever they reside.

How NordLayer can help 

More companies now use cloud-based solutions. Sticking with only hardware limits your options to provide full security for both hybrid teams and on-site workers.

Think beyond hardware. NordLayer offers a comprehensive solution that includes DNS filtering, firewall, VPN, device posture security, multilayered network access authentication, and remote network access. It’s a cost-efficient and easy-to-implement choice. NordLayer provides many of the essential features needed for cybersecurity, making it a versatile and compatible option compared to more complex and limited UTM platforms.

Choose a security solution that suits today’s network architecture. Contact the NordLayer team to explore your options.