Cisco Umbrella Custom URL Blocking Dynamically Populating Your Block List

As businesses continue to rely increasingly on the internet, the need for effective web security solutions has become more apparent. One such solution is Cisco Umbrella, a cloud-based security platform that provides protection against a wide range of online threats.

One of the key features of Cisco Umbrella is its ability to block access to specific URLs. This can be achieved through the use of a custom block list, which allows administrators to specify the URLs that they wish to block. In this article, we will explore how to dynamically populate your block list using Cisco Umbrella.

Step 1: Create a Custom Block List

The first step in dynamically populating your block list is to create a custom block list in Cisco Umbrella. To do this, log in to your Cisco Umbrella account and navigate to the Policies tab. From here, select the Block List option and click on Add a New Block List.

You will then be prompted to give your block list a name and a description. This will help you to identify your block list later on when you need to make changes or updates.

Step 2: Configure Dynamic Block List

Once you have created your custom block list, the next step is to configure the dynamic block list settings. This will allow you to automatically add URLs to your block list based on certain criteria.

To configure the dynamic block list settings, navigate to the Policies tab and select the Block List option. From here, click on the Edit button next to your custom block list.

You will then be presented with a list of settings that you can configure. The most important of these is the Dynamic Block List setting. This allows you to specify the criteria that will be used to automatically add URLs to your block list.

Step 3: Configure Your Criteria

The final step in dynamically populating your block list is to configure your criteria. This will determine which URLs are added to your block list based on certain conditions.

To configure your criteria, navigate to the Dynamic Block List setting and click on the Add Criteria button. You will then be prompted to specify your criteria.

There are a number of different criteria that you can use to dynamically populate your block list. These include IP address, domain name, category, and more.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cisco Umbrella is an effective web security solution that can help businesses to protect themselves against a wide range of online threats. By dynamically populating your block list, you can ensure that your network is protected against the latest threats and vulnerabilities. With the steps outlined in this article, you can create a custom block list in Cisco Umbrella and configure it to automatically block URLs based on your specified criteria.

Summary:

Custom URL blocking is an essential feature of Cisco Umbrella that allows you to block specific websites or web pages. By using this feature, you can prevent your network users from accessing malicious websites or inappropriate content. In this article, we will discuss how you can dynamically populate your block list in Cisco Umbrella.

1. Introduction:

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based security platform that provides protection against cyber threats. It offers a range of security features, including custom URL blocking. With this feature, you can create a list of URLs that you want to block for your network users. However, maintaining a block list can be a challenging task, especially when new threats emerge every day. To overcome this challenge, you can use dynamic URL blocking.

2. What is Dynamic URL Blocking?

Dynamic URL blocking is a feature of Cisco Umbrella that allows you to automatically add URLs to your block list based on certain criteria. For example, you can block URLs that contain specific keywords or match a particular pattern. This feature ensures that your block list is always up-to-date and effective against the latest threats.

3. How to Configure Dynamic URL Blocking in Cisco Umbrella:

To configure dynamic URL blocking in Cisco Umbrella, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the Policy section of your Cisco Umbrella dashboard and click on the “Block” tab.

Step 2: Click on the “Custom URL Block List” option and then click on the “Add” button.

Step 3: Enter the URL or URL pattern that you want to block in the “URL” field.

Step 4: Select the “Dynamic” option from the “Block Type” drop-down menu.

Step 5: Choose the criteria for dynamic blocking, such as keyword or URL pattern.

Step 6: Save your settings.

4. Benefits of Dynamic URL Blocking:

Dynamic URL blocking offers several benefits, including:

– Automatic blocking of new threats without manual intervention.

– More effective blocking of malicious websites and content.

– Reduced workload for IT administrators.

– Improved security posture for your organization.

5. Conclusion:

Custom URL blocking is a crucial security feature that can help protect your network users from cyber threats. By using dynamic URL blocking in Cisco Umbrella, you can ensure that your block list is always up-to-date and effective against the latest threats. With this feature, you can reduce the workload for IT administrators and improve the security posture of your organization.