Modern network security is moving towards unified threat management (UTM) solutions, says Phil Keeling, regional manager of Fortinet.
He says UTM integrates multiple layers of threat protection, eliminating the most damaging threats, and helping organisations safeguard against both external and internal network threats without the need for multiple point solutions.
While broadband and wireless technologies increase productivity and lower costs, they also increase security threats that originate from devices both within and from outside the network, he says.
"For example, PDAs, mobile devices and laptops plugged into a company's network leave a company vulnerable to all sorts of security threats that may be already be lurking on these gadgets," Keeling explains.
These devices are often treated as reliable and trusted assets, and allowed unrestricted access to the company network. This allows security dangers acquired outside the network to evade the perimeter defences and make their way in.
In the past, companies have relied on firewalls, antivirus software, virtual private networks and anti-spyware solutions to protect their networks and information. However, Keeling says with today's sophisticated hackers, companies need more robust security solutions.
"Antivirus and anti-spyware software will never become redundant, but the trend is moving towards UTM systems that bring together different security solutions in a single box, as well as content control systems, that are layered on top of the more traditional security solutions," he says.
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