Zyxel upgrades USG FLEX H series for unified cloud security

Zyxel Networks has introduced an upgraded version of its USG FLEX H series firewall aimed at unifying cloud and on-premises security for small and medium-sized businesses and managed service providers.

The new USG FLEX H series is designed to integrate cloud and on-premises security in a single platform, supported by Smart Sync technology. This capability allows for the synchronisation of security policies, network objects, and high availability settings across devices, aiming to create consistent protection and reduce manual duplication of security management tasks.

The company stated that, through Smart Sync, the solution overcomes the division typically found between cloud and on-premises security in hybrid environments. The intention is to streamline management and efficiency while delivering a scalable and unified network experience.

The USG FLEX H series now includes the Entry Defense Pack (EDP) as part of its standard offering. This package provides several essential security features upon installation, including content filtering, traffic analytics, reputation filtering, SecuReporter analytics, and priority customer support. Zyxel Networks claims the EDP ensures that businesses have protection against current security threats from the outset.

The upgraded hardware underpinning the USG FLEX H series delivers what Zyxel describes as triple the firewall, VPN, and Unified Threat Management performance compared to previous models. The hardware accommodates network speeds from 1G to 10G to support increased network demands.

The AI-driven protection system incorporated in the series covers a range of security functions, including IKEv2/EAP and SSL VPN, sandboxing, anti-malware, DNS/IP/URL filtering, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), and application patrol. This multi-layered approach is intended to address new and emerging network threats.

Zyxel also highlighted enhancements in identity and access security through integration with the Nebula cloud platform. The upgrade enforces two-factor authentication for organisation-level administrative access and supports Microsoft Entra ID sign-in for users accessing the Nebula wireless AP captive portal. This measure is intended to limit access to critical network resources to authorised individuals only.

Gary Chen, ANZ Regional Head at Zyxel Networks, commented, "The upgraded USG FLEX H series reflects Zyxel Networks' commitment to providing SMBs with a network security solution that simplifies management while addressing the growing need for stronger, more intelligent protection. Through our continuous engagement with customers, we've built a solution that reduces complexity and boosts security, helping SMBs navigate the challenges of modern network environments with ease."

The new features that allow for cloud and on-premises convergence will be made available on USG FLEX H series firewalls running Nebula version 19.00 and firewall firmware version uOS v1.32 starting in April 2025.