If ever a security solution was conceived for SMBs, Unified Threat Management (UTM) is that solution. UTM eliminates the need to deploy and manage multiple, separate security devices and software applications, each with its own management interface and authentication mechanism. UTM delivers important benefits for large businesses, but for small ones it can make the difference between good security and none at all.
According to a recent IDC study, UTM now occupies 12 percent of the security appliance market and is growing quickly. The concept is catching on in the enterprise marketplace as larger companies choose unified management in a common appliance over best-of-breed point solutions. The SMB segment is enthusiastically adopting UTM appliances for their cost savings and low administrative burden, and for the opportunity to deploy services that would otherwise be too costly or difficult to maintain. McAfee is a leader in the UTM marketplace, having been among the first to introduce a unified security appliance including anti-virus.
The best UTM appliances combine multiple, proven security functions in one hardware appliance with a unified management interface. They typically include a firewall, intrusion prevention, anti-virus protection, and filtering for web pages and spam. Hardened operating systems help make them resistant to external attack.
The biggest attraction of a UTM appliance is its cost saving multi-function approach. By deploying a single, simple hardware device, a departmental manager can quickly set up an office with secure Internet access and a wired or wireless LAN. It’s a security concept whose time has come.
UTM: More Than a Passing Fad
Gartner research predicts that in years to come organizations will spend less on security but be more secure. The continuing consolidation of security functions will reduce costs over time by reducing the number of products, management interfaces, and skilled administrators required to run day-to-day security functions.