The Best Unified Threat Management Software

Unified Threat Management (UTM) offers a complete security protection system that leaves no gaps for hackers to exploit. Replacing your anti-virus and firewall systems with a full UTM package makes sense because those separate cybersecurity services should be working together in order to address the serious system threats that are constantly evolving.

Here is our list of the best Unified Threat Management software packages:

1. ManageEngine Log360 EDITOR’S CHOICE This on-premises SIEM collects data from many different systems, including cloud platforms. Runs on Windows Server. Start 30-day free trial.
2. Datadog Security Monitoring (FREE TRIAL) This Cloud-based cybersecurity system collected event data from every part of your system and identifies any activity that is suspicious. AI-based detection methods narrow down threat identification, so you don’t get overwhelmed by false-positive reporting. Start a 14-day free trial.
3. ESET Protect MDR This threat detection and response package is managed by a team of cybersecurity experts. Endpoint agents run on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.
4. Fortinet FortiGate UTM This physical appliance is produced by a leading network security provider and creates a “security fabric” for the entire organization. SD-WAN options are also available to extend protection over several sites.
5. Check Point Quantum NGFW This range of firewall appliances has units for all sizes of businesses. It is positioned as the network gateway and can detect all external threats by examining incoming and outgoing traffic.
6. Sophos SG UTM This total cybersecurity package covers all of your IT assets with a range of deployment options that include on-site virtual and physical appliances and a cloud-based service.
7. Cisco UTM This package is offered by the network equipment giant and so is particularly strong on network security but also offers monitoring for endpoints. Offered as a physical or virtual appliance or as a cloud service.
8. SonicWall UTM A system security package that can be built into SonicWall appliances that connect to the network and monitor all activity. Also offered as a virtual appliance.
9. Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG) A series of network appliances that include onboard system security software. That software can also be run separately as a virtual appliance.
10. WatchGuard Firebox UTM This is a range of physical appliances that implement system-wide security monitoring. Also available as a cloud-based service or a virtual appliance.

UTMs and NextGen-Firewalls

The traditional approach is to deploy several single-function security products from different vendors. However, this method requires installing and integrating several products, which of course involves individual familiarity, learning different management consoles, and managing updates and upgrades from several vendors. Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) are also a viable option as they are much more effective than traditional firewalls, but still lack important features that are critical to detecting and responding to all the latest threats. But in recent times, organizations are embracing a concept known as Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution that combines two or more security services into one application or appliance.

UTM is a term used to describe an all-in-one approach to information security, where a single converged platform ( software or hardware) provides multiple security functions such as network firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, gateway anti-virus, business VPN, email and web content filtering, etc. UTM’s seemingly appeal stems from the fact that it simplifies information security management by providing a single management and reporting point for the security administrator rather than managing multiple products from different vendors. Instead of having several single-function applications or appliances, network administrators can centrally administer their security defenses from one box.

Evaluating UTM tools

When evaluating a UTM product, you need to ensure that the device’s different functionalities address your security risks and policy requirements. You don’t want to get caught up in the sales and marketing hype that tends to surround most security products. There are key questions you need to consider, such as: What security problem are you trying to solve? Is a UTM solution right for your organization? What security features are most important? Do you require the UTM to support geographically dispersed branch locations and remote workers? What is the infrastructure bandwidth for your environment, and how many users and devices does the organization need to support today and in the future? Is it easy to deploy, manage and maintain? Other factors to consider include performance, scalability, vendor support, and of course cost.

The best UTM Software:

Unified Threat Management breaks down the silos between security services for different system elements. We discover the best UTM software available on the market today.

With these selection criteria in mind, we identified a shortlist of centralized UTM packages that provide excellent cybersecurity protection at a reasonable price.

1. ManageEngine Log360 (FREE TRIAL)

ManageEngine Log360 is an on-premises system that runs on Windows Server. The service isn’t limited to examining events on its host because it can ingest log messages from all other endpoints on the network and also on cloud platforms. This means that Log360 can unify threat hunting for many platforms. The package includes a library of agents for all of the major operating systems, including Linux and cloud systems, such as AWS and Azure. The agents interact with the operating system and more than 700 software packages to collect log messages, which are forwarded to a central log server, where they are converted into a unified format.

Key Features:

• Unified Threat Management: Centralizes threat detection across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments with extensive OS and software integration.
• Comprehensive Security: Integrates SIEM capabilities, cloud security, automated threat response, and compliance reporting into a single package.
• File Integrity Monitoring: Tracks data access and file changes, crucial for compliance with various data protection standards.

Why do we recommend it?

ManageEngine Log360 is a bundle of ManageEngine packages that relate to log file management and scanning. There is a SIEM at the heart of this system, which is the main threat management tool in the bundle. Other elements provide cloud security, automated threat response, and compliance reporting.

While all of the tools in this list centralize threat management, most of the options available today are cloud-based. Not everyone is comfortable with cloud services and if you are someone that prefers to host your security software in-house, this is the best option.

The Log360 package provides many security features, which include file integrity monitoring. The tool records all data access and file change events, which is greater for data security standards compliance. This system also produces compliance reports for GDPR, GLBA, HIPAA, PCI DSS, FISMA, and SOX.

Who is it recommended for?

This is a large bundle of services that includes user activity tracking and account auditing to protect against insider threats and account takeovers. Therefore, it is way more than small businesses need. Companies that used Active Directory for their access rights management are particularly suited to this system. The tool is an on-premises package for Windows Server.

ManageEngine Log360 is available for a 30-day free trial.

2. Datadog Security Monitoring (FREE TRIAL)

Datadog is a SaaS platform of monitoring and system management services that are charged for by subscription. The service includes a Security Monitoring package, which is part of a wider Security Monitoring Platform.

Key Features:

• Cloud-Centric Security: Delivers a SaaS-based security monitoring solution that excels in protecting both on-premises and cloud-based assets.
• SIEM and CSPM: Features a SIEM for unified security management and Cloud Security Posture Management for cloud hardening.
• Integration and Orchestration: Seamlessly works with third-party tools and existing security systems, enhancing overall security posture.

Why do we recommend it?

Datadog Security Monitoring provides protection for on-premises systems and cloud services. This unifies the security services for hybrid environments. The package includes a SIEM for all environments, Cloud Security Posture Management for cloud systems hardening, and a Cloud Workload Protection Platform that implements continuous threat detection for cloud services.

The Security Monitoring system is appropriate for use by IT Operations departments for supervising the security of the enterprise’s entire IT infrastructure. The Security Monitoring Platform includes extra testing band protection services for DevOps environments.

The Datadog Security Management service is a SIEM system. This means that it collects log messages and system monitor outputs, such as SNMP reports, and gathers them together into a single pool of data for threat detection. This means that activity data from every part of your IT system – endpoints, networks, and applications, is included in the protection system.

While the Datadog Security Monitoring service doesn’t replace your existing firewall, it will integrate that service into its unified security management system. Activity data from the firewall feeds into the SIEM and automated response instructions can be sent back to it.

By coordinating existing services, Datadog Security Monitoring creates efficiency. The system gets even more cost-effective if you combine the security features with other services offered by Datadog, such as its Network Monitoring packages because all of the Datadog systems use the same on-site agent for data collection.

Datadog Security Monitoring efficiently provides monitoring for any resource no matter where it is located, giving you the ability to centralize the security protection for all of your IT assets, including on-premises systems and cloud resources. The ability of this service to gather activity information from all of your IT assets creates an easy way to implement security management without having to re-install software or alter system settings. Combining the Security Monitoring service with other Datadog packages increases value for money and efficiency.

Who is it recommended for?

You would need to be using cloud services to really benefit from this package. If you use both on-premises services and cloud platforms, then even better. Businesses that work with only a few SaaS systems would probably be better off with a system that focuses more attention on protecting on-premises assets.

Datadog offers a menu of services that are all run from its cloud platform and you can try all of them on a 14-day free trial.

Datadog Access 14-day FREE Trial

3. ESET Protect MDR

ESET Protect MDR is a centralized XDR system that is hosted on the cloud but draws source data for threat hunting from endpoint protection software. That anti-virus package will run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. While that AV will detect and stop malware and human threats, the central XDR can identify company-wide attacks.

Key Features:

• Managed Detection and Response: Offers a managed security service, including endpoint protection, centralized threat hunting, automated responses, and vulnerability scanning.
• Comprehensive Endpoint Protection: Provides antivirus protection across a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
• XDR Capabilities: Enhances threat detection with Extended Detection and Response (XDR), identifying broader company-wide attack patterns.

Why do we recommend it?

ESET Protect MDR is a managed security service. It provides the technicians to run the ESET Protect software, which includes endpoint protection, centralized threat hunting, automated responses, vulnerability scanning, and patch management. This service can also protect cloud resources and email systems.

MDR stands for Managed Detection and Response. This is an add-on to one of the ESET Protect XDR packages and includes technicians to monitor the security software. The lowest edition of ESET Protect is an AV. This won’t give you endpoint detection and response but it acts as a device agent for the higher plans. Those three upper plans each offer successively longer lists of services.

The ESET Protect Advanced system is the entry-level SIEM service that supplements the abt-virus activities of the endpoint units. ESET Protect Complete plan provides automated responses to detected threats. This edition also includes email security and protection for cloud services. This plan also provides a vulnerability scanner and a patch manager.

While the ESET Protect Complete system will send response instructions back to the ESET endpoint agents, the top plan, ESET Protect Elite will interface with third-party security tools as well.

Although these plans provide automated responses, there will always be borderline situations that need to be assessed. The vulnerability can fix out-of-date through its connection to the patch manager in the ESET package, but it won’t fix other detected weaknesses. For these reasons, buyers of the ESET system will need cybersecurity experts on their staff. Those companies that do not have such expertise available would benefit from the ESET Protect MDR system.

The top plans of ESET Protect don’t just detect threats, they also scan for system vulnerabilities. The package will fix some of those weaknesses with a patch manager or issue guidance on what system changes need to be made. ESET Protect MDR provides security management for these tasks.

Who is it recommended for?

The ESET Protect MDR plan is ideal for those businesses that can’t source suitably qualified cybersecurity experts and those that are too small to provide full-time employment for such technicians. The managed security service provider is able to provide a round-the-clock security operations center for businesses of all sizes.

The MDR system is a technician add-on service to your choice of ESET Protect plan, so there isn’t a free trial for this system. You need to contact ESET to discuss your requirements.

ESET Protect Contact ESET

4. Fortinet FortiGate UTM