Enhancing Implementation Process of UTM Appliances through Automation
Chmilewsky, Roman (2017)
Chmilewsky, Roman
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017120419704
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017120419704
Tiivistelmä
This Master’s Thesis analyzed existing implementation practices of Fortinet UTM (Unified Threat Management) firewalls of the case company and determined the pitfalls that might lead to considerable delays with deliveries, incorrect configuration and degraded performance of UTM firewalls within customers’ corporate networks. Based on these findings, the current study also aimed to provide concise guidelines on how to minimize the risk of security breaches within corporate networks of the case company customers while implementing and maintaining UTM security appliances. This is especially topical, because even though Fortinet UTM is a very versatile security system which can provide reliable security shield for any corporate network, there is a considerable amount of cases when UTM firewalls either have not been configured correctly or implemented outside the SLA.
Thus, the objective of this Thesis was to identify strengths and weaknesses in implementation process of Fortinet UTM security gateways of the case company. Furthermore, the current study offered practical recommendations for the Service Production management team concerning improvements in the implementation process of UTM devices within customers’ corporate networks.
To meet the objectives, the Thesis starts with the analysis of the current state of the case company, which is followed by the first round of data collection. It continues with the analysis of the existing literature concerning service improvement techniques that focuses on the most comprehensive practices of UTM implementation. Moreover, the literature sources are analyzed on micro level to identify the tools that can be used to tackle the challenges defined in the current state analysis. This allowed to create a conceptual framework for this study.
After generating the conceptual framework, the second round of data collection was carried out to reconfirm the results of the first round of data collection. This helped to develop a provisional proposal of this research. As soon as the provisional proposal was generated, it was presented for the attention of the internal stakeholder. This allowed to conduct the third round of data collection and eventually create the final proposal of this research.
Concerning the outcome, this Thesis aimed to create practical recommendations for the Service Production Management team for enhancing implementation process of UTM devices within customers’ corporate networks through automation which encompasses standardized and enhanced configuration and maintenance practices.
Thus, the objective of this Thesis was to identify strengths and weaknesses in implementation process of Fortinet UTM security gateways of the case company. Furthermore, the current study offered practical recommendations for the Service Production management team concerning improvements in the implementation process of UTM devices within customers’ corporate networks.
To meet the objectives, the Thesis starts with the analysis of the current state of the case company, which is followed by the first round of data collection. It continues with the analysis of the existing literature concerning service improvement techniques that focuses on the most comprehensive practices of UTM implementation. Moreover, the literature sources are analyzed on micro level to identify the tools that can be used to tackle the challenges defined in the current state analysis. This allowed to create a conceptual framework for this study.
After generating the conceptual framework, the second round of data collection was carried out to reconfirm the results of the first round of data collection. This helped to develop a provisional proposal of this research. As soon as the provisional proposal was generated, it was presented for the attention of the internal stakeholder. This allowed to conduct the third round of data collection and eventually create the final proposal of this research.
Concerning the outcome, this Thesis aimed to create practical recommendations for the Service Production Management team for enhancing implementation process of UTM devices within customers’ corporate networks through automation which encompasses standardized and enhanced configuration and maintenance practices.