Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered security solution that provides comprehensive protection against internet-based threats. It acts as the first line of defense by securing access to the internet and protecting users from malware, phishing, ransomware, and other malicious threats, regardless of their location.
Key Features of Cisco Umbrella
DNS-Layer Security:
- Blocks requests to malicious domains, IPs, and URLs before a connection is established.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG):
- Provides URL filtering and full visibility into internet activity for enforcing security policies.
Cloud-Delivered Firewall (CDFW):
- Inspects traffic across ports and protocols, with policy enforcement for secure connections.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB):
- Offers visibility and control over SaaS applications, identifying risky usage and enforcing policies.
Threat Intelligence:
- Powered by Cisco Talos, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams, to stay ahead of emerging threats.
AnyConnect Integration:
- Works seamlessly with Cisco AnyConnect VPN for securing remote workers.
Proxy Capabilities:
- Proxies risky or suspicious traffic for deeper inspection and threat analysis.
API Integrations:
- Easily integrates with other Cisco products and third-party tools to enhance security operations.
Global Coverage:
- Cisco Umbrella leverages a globally distributed network to provide low-latency security across the world.
Ease of Deployment:
- Requires minimal configuration, with no need for on-premises hardware.
How Cisco Umbrella Works
DNS-Level Filtering:
- When a user tries to access a website, Umbrella checks the domain against its threat intelligence database. Malicious domains are blocked before any connection is made.
Policy Enforcement:
- IT teams can create policies to restrict access to certain categories of websites (e.g., gambling, adult content) or specific applications.
Activity Monitoring:
- Tracks and logs user activity for visibility, reporting, and compliance purposes.
Threat Response:
- Automatically blocks threats based on real-time updates from Cisco Talos and other intelligence sources.
Benefits of Cisco Umbrella
Comprehensive Threat Protection:
- Defends against a wide range of internet-based threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware.
Anywhere Protection:
- Protects users both on and off the corporate network, making it ideal for remote and hybrid workforces.
Enhanced Visibility:
- Provides detailed insights into internet activity, helping IT teams identify and mitigate risks.
Quick Deployment:
- Cloud-based solution with fast implementation and minimal maintenance.
Reduced Costs:
- Eliminates the need for costly on-premises hardware, reducing capital and operational expenses.
Scalability:
- Easily scales with organizational growth without additional hardware investments.
Improved Performance:
- Low latency and high availability due to Cisco’s global network infrastructure.
Use Cases for Cisco Umbrella
Remote and Hybrid Work:
- Protects employees working from home or traveling by securing all internet traffic.
Education:
- Safeguards students and staff from inappropriate or malicious content.
Healthcare:
- Ensures compliance with regulations like HIPAA while protecting sensitive data.
Retail:
- Secures point-of-sale systems and prevents data breaches.
Enterprises:
- Provides scalable security for large organizations with distributed workforces.
Cisco Umbrella Packages
Cisco Umbrella offers multiple packages to meet varying organizational needs:
- DNS Security Essentials:
- Core DNS-layer protection for malware and phishing.
- DNS Security Advantage:
- Adds more advanced threat protection and content filtering.
- Secure Internet Gateway (SIG) Essentials:
- Includes full proxy, firewall, and CASB capabilities.
Why Choose Cisco Umbrella?
- Proactive Protection:
- Stops threats before they reach your network or endpoints.
- Global Reliability:
- Backed by Cisco’s robust cloud infrastructure and threat intelligence.
- Ease of Use:
- Simplified management and deployment make it accessible for organizations of all sizes.
- Seamless Integration:
- Works well with existing Cisco and third-party security solutions.
- Future-Ready:
- A scalable solution that grows with your organization’s security needs.
Cisco Umbrella is a powerful solution for securing internet activity and protecting users from cyber threats, providing peace of mind for organizations in an increasingly complex digital landscape.