Unisys Stealth
UX Case Study
Define
Meeting with the Unisys team was an eye-opening experience, it was my first deep dive into cybersecurity. Our mission was to upgrade their Unisys Stealth (Aware) product from version 5 to version 6, transforming it into a user-friendly, feature-rich platform that could stand toe-to-toe with competitors. At the time, v5 was the latest GUI update designed to help teams model and deploy security plans, but it hadn’t been thoroughly tested. When I asked why they needed our help with v5, a Unisys business lead put it bluntly: “We go into sales meetings trying to secure a second meeting, but the first has to impress. Right now, we’re not getting that response.”
This set the stage for a project that would challenge us to rethink the user experience, improve functionality, and ultimately deliver a product that could win over both users and stakeholders.
Understand
Our team quickly recognized that entering the cybersecurity space required more than surface-level knowledge it demanded a deep understanding of concepts like micro-segmentation and the platform’s unique ability to visually represent various levels of a security network. To bridge this gap, we invested significant time in building a foundational understanding of the security domain and the specialized terminology used within the platform. I initially struggled with dense documentation filled with jargon, so I turned to simplified online resources to establish a baseline understanding.
To ensure we were solving the right problems, we conducted over 20 user interviews with Unisys employees and clients who used the application daily. This large number was necessary because we were addressing multiple flows across two distinct products. These interviews provided invaluable firsthand insights into the current product experience, pain points, and opportunities for improvement. Notably, internal stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with the emphasis on form over functionality.
This research not only helped us speak the language of our users but also ensured that our designs addressed their needs in a highly technical and complex environment. By grounding our work in real user insights, we were able to create solutions that balanced functionality with usability, ultimately driving meaningful improvements.
Works 8 hours a day in a low lit setting. Usually uses the command line in dark mode and Stealth at the same time.
Cut down on eye strain
Intuitive layout with minimal jargon
Ability to quickly export what I built
Excess use of jargon
features that lack value
Too many clicks to get one task done
Analysis
Discovery took about a month, during which we identified key problem areas and insights from user interviews and testing. Our team discussed the future vision and considered technical constraints.
A pivotal midway meeting with Unisys’s design and business leaders set the tone for the project. In this meeting, we shared insights on how competitors excelled in cybersecurity branding. I pointed out that Unisys relied heavily on excessive documentation and jargon, which overwhelmed users. Competitors, on the other hand, simplified their product offerings and presented them in a way that felt intuitive almost as if “a caveman could do it.” Their content was digestible, even for non-cybersecurity professionals, making their value clear to a broader audience.
To illustrate, I compared Unisys’s 200-page introduction to microsegmentation with their main competitor’s concise 80-page summary. I also analyzed parts of their application, highlighting areas for improvement while acknowledging what worked well. Ultimately, I emphasized that simplifying language, reducing reliance on branded terms, and making the product more accessible could help Unisys better compete in the market. This approach not only resonated with leadership but also shaped the direction of our redesign efforts.
Align
A few days after the presentation, I received client feedback confirming that my message had sparked meaningful discussions about the need for change. The idea that complexity wasn’t a strength resonated deeply, and many of the points I raised supported by our lead developer about product visuals and interaction design were taken seriously.
Collaborating with Unisys’s internal design team, we began exploring solutions to address the pain points identified by end users. One area of alignment was the accuracy of our informed personas, which had effectively highlighted each problem area during the presentation and we had a very in depth journey map which unfortunately I am not able to share as it is owned by the agency and Unisys. This artifact became a central reference point as we discussed solutions and transitioned into the design phase, ensuring our decisions were grounded in user needs and measurable outcomes.
Installation
Get the stealth software up and running on he critical control plane devices
Discovery
Import and classify network traffic through static files or dynamically with a live feed from discovery agents
Map
Automatically or manually group profiles and edit their attributes
Fine Tune
Edit the policy enforcement levels and services for communication between profiles
Deploy
Push your policies out to your network incrementally and with change control safeguards
Maintain
Continue to refine your policies, create new solutions, and deploy changes to your network.
Design
As a new designer on this project, I was filled with excitement and ambition, often pushing back against conventional approaches to advocate for what I believed would truly elevate the product. I knew Unisys didn’t need a broad competitive analysis their main competitor, Illumio, was the clear leader in the space, and I argued that our time was better spent studying their strengths and weaknesses in depth. While I did conduct a comparative analysis to inform visual design styles, my focus was always on how we could differentiate and improve.
One of my key predictions was the potential for motion to enhance usability, though I’ll admit that, as a newer designer, I didn’t fully account for accessibility considerations at the time. I also suggested that a partnership with CrowdStrike, known for its strong UI, could help Unisys better compete with Illumio. Years later, when I saw Illumio partnered with CrowdStrike, I reached out to the head developer and talked about my prediction.
This project taught me a lot about finding my place as a new designer. I was eager to push design forward and always sought to deliver more for our client. While I contributed to lower-fidelity iterations and refined polished versions of the final design, I can’t share specific details due to an NDA. However, I’m proud to highlight that, in addition to UI updates for Stealth, we developed a custom security dashboard, showcased in the video here. This experience not only shaped my approach as a designer but also reinforced the importance of balancing ambition with practicality, collaboration, and a deep understanding of user and business needs.