DNS security controls intercept DNS queries before connections are established — blocking malware command-and-control, phishing sites, and data exfiltration attempts at the earliest possible point in the attack chain, providing security coverage that other controls miss.
DNS is used in over 90% of malware attacks, yet many enterprises have no DNS-layer security controls. DNS security provides broad coverage at low cost and low performance impact — and it's effective against threats that bypass endpoint security and traditional firewalls.
A structured advisory process — from discovery and market evaluation to vendor selection and post-deployment optimization — tailored to your specific environment and objectives.
We assess your DNS security requirements — the threat categories you need to block, compliance requirements around content filtering, the user populations requiring coverage, and the existing security controls DNS security complements.
We evaluate DNS security platforms — Cisco Umbrella, Palo Alto DNS Security, Cloudflare Gateway, Infoblox BloxOne — against your deployment model, threat intelligence quality, and reporting requirements.
DNS security requires redirecting DNS queries to the provider's resolvers. We design the deployment architecture — network-level DNS redirection for corporate locations, endpoint agent for remote users — that provides complete coverage.
DNS security effectiveness depends on policy configuration. We design the blocking categories, allow-list policies, and the exception workflow that balances security with operational flexibility.
These are the dimensions that consistently separate successful network deployments from costly ones — and the questions RLM will help you answer before any commitment.
Network-level DNS redirection only covers traffic going through corporate network infrastructure. Evaluate the endpoint agent coverage for remote users — ensuring DNS security follows the device, not just the location.
DNS security can be bypassed by using alternative DNS resolvers (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1) or by applications that use DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH). Evaluate the platform's capability to prevent resolver bypass.
DNS blocking effectiveness depends on the quality of the threat intelligence. Evaluate detection rates, time-to-block for new threats, and the false positive rate that affects legitimate site access.
DoH and DoT encrypt DNS queries, preventing inspection by network-based controls. Evaluate how the platform handles encrypted DNS — particularly from browsers that default to DoH.
DNS security must not interfere with internal DNS resolution for private applications and services. Evaluate the split-DNS configuration that preserves internal DNS resolution while routing external queries through DNS security.
DNS security generates significant event volume. Evaluate log forwarding quality, SIEM integration, and the alert design that surfaces meaningful threats without overwhelming your SOC with noise.
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Start with a no-cost conversation with an RLM network advisor — vendor neutral, no agenda, just clarity on the right path forward for your environment.
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