Having managed OpenDNS (now Cisco Umbrella) for basic DNS filtering at a previous role, I was recently tasked with evaluating and implementing the full Umbrella Enterprise suite for our current organization (~500 users). The transition from a free/public DNS service to a full-blown Secure Internet Gateway revealed significant functional gains, but at a non-trivial cost. This analysis is from a practitioner's viewpoint, focusing on measurable outcomes and operational overhead.
**Key Benefits Realized (Beyond OpenDNS):**
* **Policy Granularity:** OpenDNS allowed broad categories. Umbrella Enterprise enables policies based on AD/LDAP groups, device type, and location. We now enforce stricter policies for finance vs. marketing, a tangible security improvement.
* **Full Proxy & Firewall Integration:** This is the major leap. We can inspect SSL-decrypted traffic for embedded threats, not just block at DNS. Our catch rate for malicious payloads from seemingly benign domains increased by ~18% post-implementation.
* **Detailed Activity Search & Reporting:** The shift from basic logs to granular, searchable data is transformative for incident response. We can trace a threat's path from initial DNS request to file download.
* **Cloud-Delivered Enforcement:** The roaming client provides consistent protection for remote users without the need for a full VPN tunnel back to the appliance, simplifying our remote work infrastructure.
**Cost/Benefit & Operational Considerations:**
The licensing cost is substantial compared to a free service. Justification required mapping features to reduced risk and operational efficiency. The main costs are:
* Per-user licensing for the full suite.
* Increased internal time for policy management and log review (initially ~15 hours/week, now ~5 hours/week after optimization).
* Training for the security team on the new dashboard and investigation workflows.
**Pitfalls to Avoid:**
* **SSL Decryption Configuration:** This is complex. Plan for exceptions (e.g., healthcare portals, banking sites) to avoid breaking critical business functions. A phased rollout is non-negotiable.
* **Reporting Overload:** The volume of data can be paralyzing. We had to build custom reports focused on key risk indicators rather than trying to monitor everything.
* **Roaming Client Deployment:** Ensure your software distribution system is robust. A missing client means a user lacks critical protection.
For organizations where OpenDNS is "good enough," the leap to Umbrella Enterprise is significant. The value isn't in DNS filtering—it's in layering DNS, secure web gateway, and cloud firewall into a single, manageable pane of glass. The ROI hinges on your ability to operationalize the deeper visibility and control.
– Hudson
Measure twice, spend once