Blue Coat vs Cisco Umbrella: What are the differences?

Introduction

Blue Coat and Cisco Umbrella are both cybersecurity solutions that offer web filtering and threat intelligence services. While they both aim to protect organizations from online threats, there are key differences between the two platforms.

1. Deployment Model: Blue Coat primarily operates as an on-premises solution, requiring hardware and software implementation within the organization's network infrastructure. On the other hand, Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based solution, allowing for simpler deployment and management as it doesn't require any on-premises hardware setup.

2. DNS vs Proxy: Blue Coat largely relies on proxy technology, where web traffic is intercepted and inspected at the proxy server. This provides a more granular level of control over web activities but may introduce more latency. Cisco Umbrella, on the other hand, uses DNS (Domain Name System) technology, allowing for faster web filtering and blocking as it prevents malicious connections at the DNS level, without the need for proxy interception.

3. Threat Intelligence Sources: Cisco Umbrella has an extensive threat intelligence network known as the Umbrella Global Network. It leverages data from a wide range of sources, including Cisco Talos, to quickly identify and block malicious domains, IPs, and URLs in real-time. While Blue Coat also utilizes threat intelligence for web filtering, the availability of its intelligence network may not be as comprehensive as Cisco Umbrella.

4. Protection Across Network: Blue Coat primarily focuses on providing web security within the organization's network perimeter. It offers features such as malware detection, content filtering, and application control primarily for on-premises devices. Cisco Umbrella, on the other hand, offers protection even outside the network perimeter. It can secure users and devices both on and off the network, including roaming devices and remote workers using VPNs or other connections, giving wider coverage.

5. Integration with Existing Security Infrastructure: Blue Coat can integrate well with other security solutions in an organization's IT infrastructure, such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (IPS). It provides seamless integration, allowing organizations to have a holistic security approach. Cisco Umbrella also offers integration capabilities with existing security solutions, making it easier to extend and enhance an organization's overall security posture.

6. Reporting and Analytics: Blue Coat offers extensive reporting and analytics capabilities, providing detailed insights into web traffic patterns, user behavior, and potential threats. It allows organizations to identify areas of improvement and make data-driven decisions. Cisco Umbrella also provides reporting and analytics, but its focus is more on providing security insights and threat intelligence rather than granular details on web usage.

In summary, Blue Coat and Cisco Umbrella differ in their deployment model, technology used, threat intelligence sources, coverage across network perimeters, integration capabilities, and reporting/analytics focus.