Organizations of all scales constantly encounter a changing landscape of digital threats. From phishing schemes to ransomware assaults, businesses are susceptible to these harmful attacks. That is why solid cybersecurity measures are necessary for managing businesses. DNS-layer protection is among the most important aspects of security, and Cisco Umbrella is one of the top solutions that offers comprehensive protection from cyber threats.
Read on to understand the power of Cisco Umbrella.
What Is a Cisco Umbrella?
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based DNS-layer security platform that safeguards users and devices connected to the Internet. Unlike conventional security systems dependent on perimeter-based defenses, Umbrella checks DNS requests and halts malicious traffic before reaching the network or endpoints. This proactive method of security guarantees that organizations are constantly shielded against emerging threats.
Key Features of Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella offers a range of features designed to enhance security for organizations. Here are the key features:
Secure DNS
The cloud-delivered service secures DNS requests by filtering them through Cisco’s global network of data centers. This allows Umbrella to detect and block malicious domains in real-time, thus preventing users from accessing harmful content.
Secure Web Gateway
This feature provides real-time content filtering and web traffic inspection, blocking harmful websites, enforcing acceptable use policies, and preventing data leaks.
Cloud-Delivered Firewall
Cisco Umbrella extends firewall protection to remote users and branch offices, maintaining consistent security policies across the organization.
Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Remote browser isolation allows users to safely access risky websites without compromising security. It isolates web traffic from the user device and potential threats, providing an extra layer of protection for the secure web gateway.
Benefits of Cisco Umbrella
With faster and easier deployment, Cisco Umbrella offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance your cybersecurity posture.
Enhanced Security Posture
With its DNS-layer security, Cisco Umbrella provides a rapid and straightforward method to fortify defenses. It boosts visibility into potential threats, identifies compromised systems, and shields users on and off the network. Detecting threats across all ports and protocols prevents malicious entities from attacking your network.
Improved Performance
In addition to enhancing security, the cloud security platform optimizes DNS traffic routing to improve browsing and application performance. By reducing latency and improving response times, Umbrella ensures a seamless and uninterrupted user experience.
Simplified Management
As a cloud-delivered service, Umbrella offers easy deployment and centralized management, eliminating the need for complex hardware installations and manual updates. This saves time and resources and allows IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance tasks. It also eliminates the need for upfront hardware and software investments, potentially leading to cost savings for your organization.
Broadened Coverage
With Umbrella, organizations can extend security protection to users and devices on any network, regardless of location. Whether employees work from home, travel, or access the internet from a public network, Umbrella ensures consistent protection across all environments.
Comprehensive Web Traffic Analysis
The secure web gateway feature of Cisco Umbrella meticulously inspects and monitors web traffic, offering complete visibility into user activities. It gives administrators granular control over URLs and applications while providing robust protection against malware. Organizations can smoothly direct traffic to the cloud-based proxy by utilizing IPsec tunnels, PAC files, or proxy chaining. This allows them to enforce acceptable usage policies and effectively combat advanced threats.
Efficient Firewall Functionality
Cisco Umbrella’s firewall capability logs all network activities and effectively blocks unwanted traffic based on IP, port, and protocol rules. Setting up traffic forwarding is streamlined, requiring only the configuration of an IPsec tunnel from any network device. Furthermore, the automatic application of policies to newly established tunnels ensures effortless setup and consistent enforcement across the network.
Insightful Cloud Access Monitoring
Through its cloud access security broker (CASB), Cisco Umbrella illuminates shadow IT by identifying and reporting on cloud applications used within the organization. Administrators can assess the risks associated with them and take appropriate action, such as blocking or regulating their usage. This capability facilitates better management of cloud resources and reduces associated risks.
Real-time Threat Intelligence
With its distinctive online position, the cloud-delivered service provides exceptional visibility into malicious domains, IPs, and URLs. Umbrella Investigate delivers instant context on diverse threats like malware, phishing attacks, botnets, and trojans through a user-friendly console and API. This capability empowers organizations to conduct quicker incident investigations and respond promptly to emerging threats.
Seamless Integration With SD-WAN
Cisco Umbrella seamlessly integrates with Cisco SD-WAN, expanding robust cloud security throughout the network. This helps protect branch users, connected devices, and application usage during direct internet access, streamlining security management and strengthening overall network resilience.
How Cisco Umbrella Works
Cisco Umbrella operates on a simple yet powerful workflow:
- DNS Request Forwarding:/ When a user or device requests a DNS, Cisco Umbrella forwards this request to its DNS resolvers.
- Request Analysis: Cisco Umbrella analyzes the request against its threat intelligence database to identify potential risks.
- Decision Making: Based on the analysis, Cisco Umbrella decides whether to allow or block the request.
- Threat Prevention: If the request is deemed safe, it proceeds as usual. Cisco Umbrella blocks the connection if it is identified as a threat, preventing access to malicious sites.
- Direct IP Connection Management: For direct IP connections, Cisco Umbrella uses roaming clients to provide protection, ensuring threats are mitigated even without DNS.
- Continuous Monitoring: Cisco Umbrella continuously monitors and updates its threat intelligence to provide up-to-date protection.
Cisco Umbrella offers unparalleled security, performance, and ease of management for organizations seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. Using DNS-layer security and threat intelligence, Umbrella proactively protects against cyber threats. Whether securing remote workers, protecting branch offices, or enhancing cloud security, the platform offers a comprehensive solution that meets the evolving needs of today’s organizations.
DEVsource Technology Solutions offers expertise integrating Cisco Umbrella to protect your business assets. Schedule a web consultation now to tailor the solution to your specific requirements!
