Sophos today announced the availability of Sophos UTM Connected, the latest version of its unified threat management solution.
The release introduces expanded UTM managed endpoint protection with Web in Endpoint functionality, broader wireless coverage for large-scale wireless deployments and higher performance networking, according to Sophos.
As the complexities of securing networks have grown, so have the struggles for businesses to fully optimise the many point security solutions they have purchased. Sophos argues that a UTM solution is the proven approach to address this problem, but notes that most organisations simply put layers of protection on a single appliance.
“The introduction of Web in Endpoint functionality lets Sophos UTM go a stage further and make security layers communicate and combine to deliver more effective protection,” Sophos said in an emailed statement.
Such an approach is said to simplify user experience and deliver a higher level of overall protection.
Through an integration of gateway, endpoint and cloud technology, the Sophos UTM is now aimed at providing administrators with full Web protection and control for endpoints roaming outside of the corporate network. As systems roam the globe, this integration allows enhanced oversight and security for endpoints as though they are in the office. Policies can be updated and reporting data accessed in near real-time for every protected endpoint.
Sophos Web protection is backed by SophosLabs, the company’s global network of threat intelligence centres that concentrates on identifying and protecting against tens of thousands of infected URLs and hundreds of thousands of new variants of malicious code daily. Web in Endpoint is available at no extra cost to UTM Endpoint and Web Protection customers.
New UTM wireless capabilities enable businesses to extend wireless and accelerate VPN access more securely. With wireless bridging and repeating support, Sophos access points are said to be capable of extending wireless range without the need for Ethernet cables. Sophos VPN functionality is designed to make load balancing and failover of traffic between IPsec VPN tunnels simple to set-up.
“Customers and partners shape our UTM roadmap, ensuring that we deliver innovative technology that is practical to use in a business environment,” said Chris Kraft, vice president, product management, Sophos.
“Web in Endpoint is a great example of solving a complex problem with a simple solution. Because we have proven endpoint protection and secure Web gateway expertise, we are uniquely positioned to help IT administrators secure their roaming workforces – and having a single solution like this makes life easier for our channel partners to deploy security too.”
