AWS Shield vs Cisco Umbrella: What are the differences?

Introduction

AWS Shield and Cisco Umbrella are both cybersecurity solutions that provide protection against various types of threats. However, there are key differences between these two platforms that differentiate them in terms of features and functionality.

1. Network versus Application Protection: AWS Shield primarily focuses on protecting web applications and resources hosted on the AWS infrastructure. It provides multiple layers of defense against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, ensuring that web applications remain available and accessible during such incidents. Cisco Umbrella, on the other hand, is a cloud-based security platform that protects the entire network, including endpoints and DNS requests. It offers protection against malware, ransomware, phishing, and other internet-based threats, irrespective of the hosting environment.

2. Infrastructure and Cloud Integration: AWS Shield is specifically designed for the AWS ecosystem and seamlessly integrates with other AWS services, such as Amazon CloudFront and Amazon Route 53. It provides automatic deployment and scalability for AWS applications, making it an essential part of the AWS infrastructure. Cisco Umbrella, although compatible with various platforms, offers native integration with Cisco's networking and security products, allowing for unified visibility and control across the network infrastructure.

3. Advanced Threat Intelligence: Cisco Umbrella leverages threat intelligence feeds from various sources, including Cisco Talos, to identify and block access to malicious domains and IPs. It uses machine learning algorithms to analyze global DNS traffic patterns in real-time, providing proactive protection against emerging threats. While AWS Shield also incorporates threat intelligence, its focus is primarily on defending against DDoS attacks, utilizing various mitigation techniques such as traffic engineering and rate limiting.

4. Attack Visibility and Reporting: Cisco Umbrella provides detailed visibility into inbound and outbound network traffic, allowing security teams to monitor and investigate potential threats. It offers comprehensive reporting and analytics, enabling organizations to analyze security events, identify trends, and optimize their security posture. AWS Shield, on the other hand, provides centralized DDoS attack metrics and real-time notifications within the AWS Management Console, allowing users to quickly assess the impact and take appropriate mitigation measures.

5. Service Availability: AWS Shield is a native service provided by Amazon Web Services and is available to all AWS customers. It offers both a Standard tier, which provides basic protection, and an Advanced tier, offering enhanced DDoS protection with cost protection features. Cisco Umbrella, being a standalone cloud-based security platform, can be used by organizations regardless of their hosting environment or infrastructure. It offers multiple subscription options based on the required features and scale of deployment.

6. Scope and Compliance: AWS Shield primarily focuses on protecting web applications and resources hosted on the AWS infrastructure, making it a suitable choice for organizations relying heavily on AWS services. Cisco Umbrella, on the other hand, offers more comprehensive protection by securing the entire network infrastructure, including remote users and branch offices, making it a better fit for organizations with a broader cybersecurity landscape.

In Summary, AWS Shield primarily focuses on web application protection within the AWS ecosystem, while Cisco Umbrella offers network-wide protection against various threats. AWS Shield integrates seamlessly with the AWS infrastructure, while Cisco Umbrella provides native integration with Cisco's networking and security products. Cisco Umbrella offers advanced threat intelligence, attack visibility, and reporting capabilities, while AWS Shield provides specific metrics and notifications for DDoS attacks within the AWS Management Console. Both solutions have different scopes and availability options, catering to different organizational needs.