Zyxel upgrades its ATP firewalls to protect networks and data from advanced cyber threats
Zyxel Networks announced that its series of high-end Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Firewalls will now support centralized cloud management with additional feature updates designed to support SMBs and MSPs through its Nebula Cloud Networking Solution as hybrid working becomes the normal.
Network management of security can be complicated and time-consuming. With multiple systems and sites to keep track of, the rising challenge of managing distributed networks and users to support flexible hybrid working models has put IT managers and VARs under conservable pressure. In addition to this, cybercriminals have seen this new era of remote connectivity and distributed networks as an opportunity and are taking full advantage as it now gives them a larger attack surface to gain from.
While a recent survey found that 88 percent of small business owner respondents felt their organizations were vulnerable to a cyberattack, many SMBs are unable to afford a comprehensive, enterprise-grade IT solution, or have limited resources to devote to cybersecurity.
Strong but simple security
To combat this challenge, Zyxel released a firmware upgrade to the premium ATP firewall, adding advanced network security features to the centrally-managed, cloud-based Nebula family. Sandboxing and reputation filters make it easy for medium-sized businesses to secure headquarters or central offices. The addition of ATP to the Nebula family also takes collaborative defense and response capabilities to the next level, leveraging a continuously-growing cloud database that already covers billions of malware signatures.
ATP also helps protect networks and data from advanced cyber threats such as zero-day attacks that fly under the radar of conventional security solutions. ATP complements USG FLEX in the growing range of firewall solutions with Nebula compatibility. ATP is often used as a headquarters or large office solution while USG FLEX is often used for smaller offices or branch offices.
Complete control and consistent policies
To support secure remote working, network admins can also leverage from new key features in Nebula Control Center to easily and directly provision Zyxel SecuExtender VPN client. SecuExtender can be installed on endpoints, including desktops or laptops, to provide two-factor authentication and tunnel protection for those working at home or away from the office. By adding SecuExtender to Nebula, network administrators can now centrally manage the security of all endpoints, ensuring they are running the same security policy, regardless of location.
Simplified license management
To support partners with a more streamlined and simplified user experience, MSPs and VARs can now manage Nebula licenses via the subscription management platform, Circle. Previously only capable of managing security licenses, Circle now incorporates asset management, account management, and e-commerce in one central resource.
“These latest updates to Nebula make available to customers a portfolio of over 60 different products that can all be managed together under one cloud-based network managed platform. This provides SMBs with a wealth of options to help them meet specific needs and deployment scenarios. With the network landscape changing so much over the past 18 months, we have continued to evolve our offerings for SMBs and MSPs to ensure they can keep up as they navigate security and network management challenges,” said Gordon Yang, President of Zyxel Networks.
Nebula is the most comprehensive cloud-based network management solution for SMBs. Additional products are continually being added to the Nebula offering to keep it ahead in the market. In addition to ATP, USG20-VPN firewall is now also Nebula compatible with a firmware update. The recently launched WiFi 6 access point models NWA50AX and NWA55AXE were Nebula compatible from the day that they were first available.