Block Threats at the DNS Layer — Before Connections Are Established
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.
What RLM Delivers on DNS Security
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.
How We Approach DNS Security
We work DNS Security the same way each time: establish the baseline, test the market properly, negotiate on evidence, and stay involved through implementation.
DNS Security Requirements Assessment
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.
Platform Evaluation
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.
Deployment Architecture
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.
Policy & Category Configuration
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.
DNS Security Evaluation Criteria
These are the dimensions we have seen separate a DNS Security deployment that works from one that quietly becomes shelfware.
Coverage for Remote Workers
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.
Bypass Resistance
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.
Threat Intelligence Quality
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.
Encrypted DNS Handling
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.
Split DNS for Internal Resources
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.
SIEM & SOC Integration
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.
"The RLM team understood our network complexity from day one. Their vendor-neutral approach helped us find the right solution — not just the one with the biggest marketing budget."
We are paid by the provider you choose, which means we have no reason to steer you toward any particular one.
Where This Matters Most
Sector-specific considerations we see repeatedly in advanced networking engagements.
A Sample of the Advanced Networking Providers We Evaluate
RLM is vendor neutral. These are among 600+ providers in our evaluation set — inclusion here is not an endorsement, and we are paid by the provider you choose, not by any provider in particular. How that works →
Where Do You Want to Start With DNS Security?
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.
Talk to a Network Advisor