Sophos has launched its Sophos UTM 9, designed to integrate gateway security and endpoint security in a single hardware or virtual box.
The solution is designed to provide complete security protection, regardless of location and combines the company’s endpoint protection and unified threat management solutions into a single management console.
“When I first identified the UTM market, my vision was it would eventually encompass everything that a company would need to protect against threats.” said Charles Kolodgy, research vice president, IDC. “Endpoint security management was neglected and/or relegated to separate products. Recognising that mobile devices severely complicate endpoint management, Sophos is incorporating policy management for all endpoint devices, regardless of type and network, into their UTM solutions.”
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Security Appliance Tracker, in the first quarter of 2012 (1Q12), the UTM market represented 28.5% of security appliance revenues due to 12.2% year-over-year growth. This trajectory presents tremendous opportunities for VARs that partner with vendors offering these kinds of solutions.
“Our customers are looking for solutions that can simplify their IT management. With the new Sophos UTM solution, time-strapped IT managers can keep their organisation’s endpoints, network and data safe from threats, wherever their people work, whatever devices they use-in a matter of minutes,” said Todd O’Bert, president, Productive Corporation. “Sophos is able to provide an integrated level of protection unmatched in the industry, which is a tremendous value proposition for any solution provider or reseller.”
Sophos UTM 9 is designed to protect everywhere, using the cloud to secure and monitor staff wherever they are, and extend security gateways to deploy and manage endpoint protection as well as device control. Sophos’ innovative approach endpoint protection uses its LiveConnect cloud service to allow users to manage all of their endpoints, no matter where they are or how they’re connected.
The solution is also designed to enable secure remote application access without installing any software on the desktop. HTML5 VPN portal lets users connect to internal resources with any device from any location.
The solution also manages internet access for guests and visitors with customisable wireless hotspots and scans email and web traffic with Sophos’ antivirus technology as well as a second commercial engine (from Avira). Sophos scans viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, and adware in single scan, and protects against zero-day-attacks.
“UTM 9 marks a milestone not only for Sophos, but for organisations worldwide. In the year since we acquired Astaro, we’ve been able to bring to market an integrated industry-first solution that’s game-changing for Sophos partners and easy-to-use for customers,” said John Shaw, vice president, product management, Sophos. “This solution was conceived not only by our great integrated development team, but also by our passionate and active users who provided countless feature recommendations in our forums. And thanks to our users, we’re excited about our roadmap.”
