Developed by SophosLabs, this new Sophos UTM approach brings together multiple technologies to rapidly identify and isolate infected clients and prevent communication with malicious command and control hosts. This latest version introduces botnet protection and cloud-based sandboxing to expand on the Sophos UTM’s existing multi-layer Firewall, Web, Email and Endpoint protection. This extends the Sophos commitment to small and mid-market companies, delivering access to advanced protection without the complexity and cost normally associated with such functionality. 

“The initial stages of targeted attacks can often go unnoticed by security systems that don’t control incoming and outgoing traffic. For organizations with limited IT resources, investing time and money in a dedicated ATP solution to detect these early signs is simply not realistic, given how tricky, complex and fast moving this type of traffic is,” says Chris Kraft, vice president, product management, Sophos. “That’s what we wanted to change. Today, with a few simple clicks, users get advanced protection without needing to be full-time security experts themselves.” 

This new release also significantly enhances the speed of security scanning, with initial data showing the new performance optimized IPS doubling throughput speed in test environments. The Email, Web, and Network Protection modules all experience significant enhancements, including:

• Simplified Email Encryption and DLP – Sophos SPX technology eliminates need for a separate Public Key Infrastructure and policy-based DLP can trigger automatic encryption
• Smarter Web Control – streamlined policy setup enables granular user control and transparent web filtering of https traffic provides seamless protection
• Mobile Access Control – enhances Wi-Fi and VPN security by combining Sophos UTM with Mobile Device Management functionality in Sophos Mobile Control
• Performance Optimized IPS – intelligent processes and pattern management deliver enhanced scanning speeds to rapidly block network attacks and prevent breaches
• Botnet/Command and Control Protection – Sophos Advanced Threat Protection identifies and blocks infected machines communicating with malware command and control servers

“The UTM market is one of the most competitive in security. Numerous features and applications have been added over the past few years, and we’re increasingly seeing solutions are providing more effective security and better performance,” said John Grady, Research Manager, Security Products and Services, IDC. “This latest release from Sophos continues to simplify complex technologies. SPX email encryption is an example of that and is a differentiated approach among other UTM vendors.”

“Students are smart and always find ways to circumvent security, so schools are always in need of better ways to manage their web access and block inappropriate content,” says Bart Wilson, systems support manager, from Twotrees Technologies LLC, a Sophos partner. “UTM 9.2 is a huge step forward in solving this problem. By adding https traffic to web filtering in transparent mode, Sophos will help our customers to take back control – especially with so many students browsing on mobile devices.”

For additional information on all of the features in Sophos UTM 9.2 and extra information on Sophos’ network security solutions, please visit our Network Security area, watch the UTM videos, or check out the dedicated Sophos UTM blogs.

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