Unified Threat Management software or UTM software (UTM solutions) is best known to address network threats and malicious activities on enterprise networks.
With Best UTM software, you are provided with a comprehensive and dynamic security protection system that takes care of every possible vulnerability or cyber threat.
The diversity of threats to the IT system requires different solutions and strategies for each type of threat.
In order to protect IT networks and systems, companies usually have to invest a lot of money.
Greater investment in cybersecurity is a direct consequence of the increasing number and variety of vulnerabilities.
So, in light of this, it seems completely logical to replace your anti-virus software and firewalls with a full UTM solutions.
What is UTM Firewall Solutions?
In the current era, keeping your systems and your data secure has become more crucial than ever before.
Since the cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving and companies need to keep their network ready to mitigate them.
Therefore, the UTM firewall software is one of the most effective tools for achieving this goal.
Using UTM firewall solutions, you can improve your security by breaking down the huge cyberstructure between the cybersecurity services for each component of a system.
UTM systems are available on the market today in quite a few different variations. It can take a considerable amount of time to decide what you are looking for and narrow down the search results.
In order to ensure the most comprehensive cybersecurity protection, we have shortlisted the most effective and best UTM tools available on the market for your company’s IT network.
What is the Difference Between UTM and a Firewall?
There has been a significant blurring of the lines between these two over the course of the last few years.
It is possible to prevent the entry of suspicious packets into your network and the subsequent infiltration of your PCs and servers in the first place by using a firewall’s real-time malware and virus scanning feature.
While it should be noted that a UTM is one that is located on the site of your organization, and its role is to act as a gateway between your internet connection and your network.
10 Best UTM Soware & Solutions 2023
| UTM Tools | Key Features |
| Fortinet FortiGate UTM | Next-Gen Firewall Cloud Service Virtual Appliance Intrusion Prevention System VPN Web content filtering Anti-malware App identification TLS/SSL/SSH decryption TLS/SSL/SSH inspection Anti-malware IP reputation Integrated WLAN controller Traffic visualization Traffic analytics Networking Wireless VoIP Management Network Monitoring |
| Check Point UTM | Advanced threat prevention Consolidated management Combines security strategies URL Filtering Optional sandboxing Firewall as a Service Virtual firewalls Version for industrial systems SASE |
| SonicWall UTM | Application control APT protection Web filtering Content filtering Email Filtering IP reputation Integrated WLAN controller IPS DLP Antimalware Antivirus Antispam Cloud sandbox VPN SSL inspection IPSec |
| Sophos UTM | Next-Gen firewall protection Mobile protection Web filtering Endpoint email encryption DLP VPN Anti-spam Advanced threat protection Email Protection Sandstorm Sandboxing Web Server Protection Wireless Protection |
| Cisco UTM | Physical appliance IPS Virtual appliance VPN DDoS protection URL filtering Application control Endpoint protection Firewall-centered Web gateway Email security Network access control High availability Identity services |
| Juniper UTM | Web Filtering Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) SRX Series Gateways Virtual firewalls Antispam Filtering Content Filtering Starting with Junos OS Release 15.1X49-D60 and Junos OS Release 17.3R1 Antivirus |
| Barracuda UTM | Cloud service Secure & Easy-to-Use Mobile Connectivity Network Control and Flexibility Advanced Threat Prevention Deep Memory Inspection Virtual appliance SSL/TLS Decryption SSL/TLS Inspection IPS VPN Integrated Security Solution Anti-malware IP reputation Networking VoIP Integrated WLAN controller |
| Stormshield UTM | Endpoint protection Identity services Email security IPS VPN Anti-malware IP reputation Networking Anti-spam |
| Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG) | AI-based threat defense Anti-spam Traffic management Email security Appropriate for large data centers IPS VPN Endpoint protection DDoS protection Policy management DLP URL filtering Web protection |
| WatchGuard UTM | Anti-spam Appropriate for small & midsized firms Identity services Email security IPS Physical appliance Virtual appliance IP reputation Anti-malware URL filtering Gateway AV DLP File sandboxing Ransomware protection |
Top 10 Best UTM Software 2023
- Fortinet FortiGate UTM
- Check Point UTM
- SonicWall UTM
- Sophos UTM
- Cisco UTM
- Juniper UTM
- Barracuda UTM
- Stormshield UTM
- Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG)
- WatchGuard UTM
1. Fortinet FortiGate UTM
There are many UTM software solutions products and applications available on the market today, but the Fortinet FortiGate UTM is one of the most popular ones.
Unlike other competing UTM products, the Fortinet FortiGate UTM has a high-performance security processor that protects the network from cyberattacks while optimizing the performance of the network.
Depending on your needs, Fortinet offers several varieties, so you can choose from a wide range of hardware modules and appliances, from entry level to ultra-high-end.
It can be configured in NAT/Route mode as well as the transparent mode in order to run in either of these modes.
Apart from this, when the network security needs to be improved, the transparent mode is used as the primary mode.
A key feature of FortiGate UTM software is that it is powered by FortiOS, which allows it to detect complex cyber threats and react automatically in a timely manner.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| Availability of multiple integrations | Offers complicated features |
| Offers simplified and user-friendly UI | Product offerings are less |
Fortinet UTM Demo/Trial
2. Check Point UTM
Among all the UTM Tools solutions available, Check Point’s UTM is one of the best UTM solutions available for all types of businesses.
Security features that are provided by Check Point gateways go beyond what is provided by NGFWs.
In the Gartner UTM Magic Quadrant, Check Point is well-recognized for its prominence as a leader.
The Check Point product portfolio offers two key features that make it one of the most efficient products in the industry, namely:-
- Extensive threat prevention
- High flexibility
Through the Threat Prevention technology in Check Point UTMs, threats can be detected even in encrypted transmissions as a result of peering inside SSL and TLS tunnels.
This is a quick and easy way for corporate IT managers to ensure that users adhere to the corporate security policy while surfing the Internet or interacting with corporate data.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers adaptable threat management solutions | Less intuitive data visualizations |
| Provides a complete security solution in one UTM product | The software UI is not so user friendly |
Checkpoint UTM Demo/Trial
3. SonicWall UTM
As a Best UTM Tools provider since the very beginning, SonicWall has always been committed to innovation and has been pioneering this business ever since.
The next-gen SonicWall firewalls are one of the most advanced firewalls today. In order to fulfill the security needs of enterprise and mid-size businesses, SonicWall UTM has been developed innovatively.
With SonicWall UTM systems, you don’t have to worry about complexities typically associated with security solutions, as they provide enterprise-class protection and very simplified systems at an affordable price.
They offer the highest quality UTM products that are designed to operate across a wide range of business sizes to meet and fulfill their all types of security requirements.
SonicWall UTM is an advanced security solution that supports a wide range of technology such as cloud-based centralized management, encryption, and firewalls.
But, one of the most remarkable features and capabilities is “Capture Cloud Platform,” it’s an integrated cloud-based centralized management service of SonicWall UTM.
Functions & Futures
| Pros | Cons |
| A wide range of UTM products are available | Complicated Migration |
| Provides a complete security solution in one UTM product | Fewer integration options |
SonicWall UTM Demo/Trial
4. Sophos UTM
The most common association people have with Sophos is that it provides endpoint security solutions.
But, it’s completely wrong since this company is also one of the finest in the business when it comes to UTM products.
As Sophos UTM software is widely regarded as one of the industry’s leading solutions due to its modularity.
The system offered by Sophos is well-equipped with an easy-to-use interface that facilitates the creation of strict and custom policies.
Consequently, this increases security efficiencies and reduces the risk of security incidents by simplifying the security management process.
With Sophos, you have the option of deploying its unified threat management solution in the following ways:-
- Hardware appliance
- Software appliance
- Cloud-based appliance
- Free version for home use
A network’s security posture and performance can be significantly improved by analyzing its core security infrastructure.
This could be done through the creation of clear and detailed reports, and here Sophos plays its key role by providing those detailed reports.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s free for home use | Old-school dashboard UI |
| Multiple deployment options are available | Doesn’t provide any free support |
Sophos UTM Demo/Trial
5. Cisco UTM
In order to satisfy the diverse needs of organizations and businesses, Cisco UTM solution specializes in providing advanced threat defense capabilities.
There are several options available to customers when it comes to the hardware and software used in UTMs offered by Cisco.
In the Cisco UTM Tool system family, all the systems can be managed from a single central platform called FMC.
Since it provides a wide range of products and services, so, for the users managing them from different CMS for each product could be a real complex task.
Cisco UTM provides a secure encrypted traffic inspection service that can provide the following benefits:-
Analyzes risks and automatically categorizes them
Identifying threats quickly and prioritizing them
Decrease the volume of log events that are logged by the system
There is even a “Cisco Easy Pay Plus” payment option available to small businesses that allows them to make use of flexible payment methods. As far as customer support is concerned, Cisco is well known for its excellent customer service.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| With other Cisco products it provides seamless integration | Fewer integration opportunities with other security products |
| With its UTM offering, QoS and access control are also available | High subscription pricings |
Cisco UTM Demo/Trial
6. Juniper UTM
Probably the most comprehensive solution available on the market today, the Juniper UTM, is the one with the greatest number of features.
A number of security items are supported by this product and it offers more options than any other security product.
In order for large-scale Internet Service Providers to optimize their routing and security features in a cost-effective manner, Juniper UTM is the one that efficiently accomplishes this by offering high-performance network security solutions.
As one of the global leaders in products and services in the enterprise UTM market, Juniper is especially well known at the high end of the market. In addition, it is vital to remember that their products are also used primarily for various network security scenarios.
As part of high-availability infrastructures, Juniper delivers both physical and virtual appliances, so you can configure your appliances either active or stand-by based on your needs.
Not only that, but they also provide very easy-to-use GUI and CLI administration and configuration tools.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers very fast and very easy-to-maintain security solutions | Offers complex security solutions |
| The solution can be scaled to suit your needs | Needs to do an excellent job of improving its UI |
Juniper UTM Demo/Trial
7. Barracuda UTM
With its Barracuda CloudGen Firewall framework, Barracuda UTM has achieved a high level of recognition. As a result of the web interface, this UTM is easy to administer, and centralized management can be handled free of charge through a cloud-based system.
Barracuda’s solution stands out from the crowd because it implements a number of key elements that differentiate it from products of a similar nature:-
- SCADA
- Industrial Control Protocols
- Independent Tunneling protocol
- Independent Network Architecture protocol
- CudaLaunch
UTM products from Barracuda are available in physical appliances which can vary from small desktop computers to large rackable appliances.
It comes with NGFW and SD-WAN in one box which makes it very convenient to use.
Furthermore, it also offers ZTNA as an optional feature, and this option facilitates easy access to resources that remain hidden under a firewall.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| When it comes to handling complex items, this program is very useful | A higher price is charged |
| Offers a powerful protection system | Lack of intuitiveness regarding the solution |
Barracuda UTM Demo/Trial
8. Stormshield UTM
Stormshield has achieved several awards and well-known for providing top-notch Unified Threat Management (UTM) tools and solutions.
With Stormshield UTM systems, you can achieve security and networking by combining SD-WAN capabilities with the right hardware.
There are a number of key components of Stormshield UTM systems, including:-
- Interconnection control
- Dynamic link selection
- Bandwidth management
As a direct competitor of Fortinet FortiGate, Stormshield UTM is widely used in the segment of large companies, where Stormshield is mostly popular.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s easy to manage | Offers strong intrusion prevention system |
| Offers complex UI | Less effective filtering configuration |
Stormshield UTM Demo/Trial
9. Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG)
Unified Security Gateway (USG) is Huawei’s best UTM solution, a security system that consists of a multitude of different security systems and has a multitude of features to choose from.
Huawei is a well-renowned brand, and it gives direct competition to other big players in the market like Cisco and SonicWall.
Apart from this, the offerings provided by Huawei are comprehensive with a complete package of solutions for all types of businesses.
In both physical and virtual environments, Huawei UTM offers the flexibility of deploying it either as a hardware appliance or as a virtual software appliance.
The extraordinary AI-based capabilities that Huawei UTM brings to the threat defense arena are one of the most impressive features offered by this solution.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers an excellent support system | Provides a simple installation and setup process |
| IoC (Indicators of Compromise) cannot be detected | Immature solution |
Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG) Demo/Trial
10. WatchGuard UTM
WatchGuard offers the best UTM solutions that combine network security, traffic monitoring, and application control to provide the complete solution available for almost any type of business.
Its UTM SOFT is specially designed to provide all kinds of traffic with line-speed security inspection, and it has the ability to filter packets at a multi-gigabit speed per second.
Their central management makes them easy to manage and they provide a complete overview of the network. Consequently, when it comes to its performance, it is considered one of the best in the industry.
Moreover, WatchGuard incorporates various AI-based tools with their UTM systems and the interesting thing is that they keep them updated with all the latest security updates and necessary data.
A wide range of hardware devices is available from WatchGuard for its UTM systems. Additionally, ESXi and Hyper-V can be used to run a virtualized version of their UTM.
Features & Functions
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers flexible usability | Web blocker feature is less effective |
| Provide robust FireWall features | Poor customer support |
WatchGuard UTM Demo/Trial
Conclusion
In today’s UTM Software digital era, the landscape of cyber threats is evolving at a rapid pace and targeting several businesses and organizations in different fields.
Whether you are running a small or big organization it doesn’t matter, what is most crucial and necessary is the security protection of IT network of your organization.
That’s why the deployment of Best UTM solutions has become critically necessary for modern businesses. In order to ensure that you are getting the right product for your needs, we have compiled a list of UTM products here that you can choose from.
FAQ -Frequently Asked Questions
In information security, UTM software (Unified threat management) is a single security solution that provides multiple security features.
UTM is a complete bundle of multiple security appliances and virtual security solutions that offers a wide range of security features in a very simplified form.
While UTM software is used by businesses of all sizes, as it offers a centralized point on the IT network from where the operator or admin can control and monitor all the events happening on the network.
The UTM devices are a complete combined package of hardware and software. The primary aim of this package is to bring all the available network security features of hardware and software into a single place to simplify the security management system.
The capabilities that UTM (Unified Threat Management) systems offer to the user are a combination of multiple security tools and services in a single place.
Providing multiple security functions and services in a single device or service on the network, UTM primarily simplifies the process of protecting users from a wide range of security threats.
When the whole structure of UTM (Unified Threat Management) systems is combined, it is also known as NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall).
Fortinet FortiGate UTM
Check Point UTM
SonicWall UTM
Sophos UTM
Cisco UTM
Juniper UTM
Barracuda UTM
Stormshield UTM
Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG)
WatchGuard UTM
Check Point UTM
Sophos UTM
Cisco UTM
Fortinet FortiGate UTM
WatchGuard UTM
Barracuda UTM
SonicWall UTM
Juniper UTM
Stormshield UTM
Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG)
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Top 10 Best Open Source Firewall to Protect Your Enterprise Network
Top 10 Best Open Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT Tools) for Penetration Testing