Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered security platform that protects users wherever they access the internet. It uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to block malicious requests before a connection is even established — reducing the risk of phishing, malware, and data exfiltration.
Because it’s cloud-based, Umbrella requires no hardware, no complex configuration, and no VPN dependency. It works instantly across locations, devices, and users, making it especially useful for today’s hybrid, remote, and mobile environments.
How DNS-layer Security Works
Every time a user visits a website, their device queries a DNS server to resolve the domain name into an IP address. Cisco Umbrella acts as a secure DNS resolver, inspecting these requests before they go through.
If the requested domain is known to be malicious, compromised, or suspicious, Umbrella blocks the connection immediately. This stops threats before they reach your network, endpoint, or user browser.
Umbrella doesn’t just rely on static blacklists. It uses:
- Threat intelligence from Cisco Talos
- Real-time behavioural analysis
- Machine learning models
This combination ensures early, predictive protection — especially against brand-new attacks.
Key Benefits of Cisco Umbrella
- Blocks threats before they hit your endpoints
- Works on and off-network — no VPN needed
- Cloud-native with zero maintenance burden
- Logs and analyses DNS activity for faster incident response
- Complements existing firewalls and endpoint security tools
Umbrella Use Cases Across Industries
- Manufacturing: Secure branch locations, factory systems, and third-party vendor traffic from known and emerging threats.
- Healthcare: Protect mobile staff accessing records or scheduling apps from remote sites.
- ITES & GCCs: Enforce consistent security across hybrid workers and globally distributed teams without slowing them down.
Where Umbrella Fits in a Modern Security Stack
Cisco Umbrella doesn’t replace your firewall — it augments it. Positioned at the DNS layer, it can:
- Block threats that your firewall or antivirus may miss
- Act as the first filter in SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) deployments
- Integrate with SecureX, Cisco Duo, and Cisco Secure Endpoint for end-to-end visibility
