How to choose the right firewall for your SME in 2020?

After reading this article you will discover:

• What is a firewall?
• Why choose a firewall?
• The Importance of a Hardware Firewall
• The difference between conventional, UTM and NGFW solutions
• Which solution suits you best?

SMEs are prime targets for cyber hackers

As we keep mentioning, SMEs are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. In 2019, nearly 43% of cyberattacks targeted small businesses(1).

It is therefore not surprising to learn that 58% of SME managers are more concerned about cyberattacks than fire, floods or transport strikes (2). Therefore, it is essential for organizations, regardless of their size, to adequately protect themselves against cyber risks.

A firewall is an essential tool in a company's security suite. This article will help you learn more about firewalls and present different options that may be suitable for your needs.

What is a firewall?

Firewalls are hardware or software solutions that monitor incoming and outgoing traffic on a local network or a specific device to ensure its security. Think of this tool as a water filter that protects you from bacteria and parasites that could potentially be found there.

The Importance of a Hardware Firewall for Businesses

Today, most computers come with a software firewall. For example, if your computer is running Windows, it's Windows Defender. However, other devices connected to the network, such as your Wi-Fi router, often don't have built-in protection solutions. This is why a hardware firewall is essential for businesses.

In the form of a box that will vary in size depending on its capabilities, your hardware firewall will allow you to protect your entire network and the devices that connect to it. You thus obtain an additional layer of protection reducing your risks of succumbing to a cyberattack .

Some firewalls also offer more advanced features and allow you to monitor your employees' traffic, block access to certain sites or even prevent certain malware or phishing attacks .

Traditional Firewall, UTM or NGFW?

During the 2000s, we saw the arrival on the market of UTM firewalls (unified threat management) and subsequently NGFW (new generation firewalls).

Although they originally had some differences, these two terms are now used to refer to network firewalls that offer advanced features such as spam filtering, antivirus, intrusion detection and prevention, and URL filtering.

These new features, however, require an annual subscription which increases their cost, but offer unparalleled security.

Which firewall should you choose for your business?

This section will offer you firewall solutions that we believe are more suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

1. SonicWall

If you have multiple locations, SonicWall solutions are for you. The company, which was a subsidiary of Dell from 2012 to 2016, offers a VPN integrated into its firewalls that will allow your employees to connect remotely and share files without compromising your organization's security.

SonicWall also includes a Web Application Firewall that allows you to control the permissions and preferences of all applications that communicate with the web. The only slight downside to SonicWall is its very high price, which starts at $800 for its TZ400 series, without UTM. Add about $600 annually for full UTM protection.

Sonicwall SOHO 250 Network Security/Firewall Appliance

2. Fortinet

With its FortiGate firewalls, Fortinet has experienced the fastest growth among firewall solution providers in recent years. It now offers a full range of products suitable for both small businesses and large organizations.

The FortiGate 30E is a solution tailored to SMBs that offers advanced protection and UTM service. The advantages of Fortinet products are their ease of installation and use. They are simple to set up and offer the option of cloud management.

More affordable than SonicWall solutions, the FortiGate 30E retails for around $560. Full UTM protection will cost you around $300 per year.

Fortinet FortiGate-60E / FG-60E Next Generation (NGFW) Firewall Appliance, 10 x GE RJ45 Ports

3. WatchGuard

Often cited as equivalent to Fortinet, WatchGuard solutions are also very popular among small and medium-sized businesses since they are slightly less expensive.

Another aspect we really like about WatchGuard is its all-in-one firewall and Wi-Fi router, such as the Firebox T15. Perfect for small organizations, it combines a firewall with wireless network access. The device costs around $400, and the complete UTM solution costs around $400 per year.

Additionally, WatchGuard solutions integrate a platform that allows you to directly manage your firewall in the cloud and offer real-time visualization tools that cost significantly more than its competitors. These solutions are compatible with VMWare, Hyper-V, AWS, and Azure.

WatchGuard Firebox T15 with one year of support

4. Special Mention: Firewalla

If you're a small business on a shoestring budget, Firewalla might be for you. It offers a relatively powerful firewall and some interesting features like a VPN and web traffic control.

The basic version of this tiny box will cost you around $215, while the more powerful version costs $300. The main advantage is that you don't have to pay for upgrades; it's an all-inclusive purchase.

Installation is quick and the box is very small. However, it can slow down your network and is designed to complement software security solutions. However, it's a worthwhile alternative that still offers a good level of protection.

Firewalla: Cyber ​​Security Firewall for Home and Office, Protect your Network from Viruses, Spyware and Infiltrations

Nexxo can help you choose your firewall

We hope this article has helped you learn more about the firewall solutions available to you. However, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us . Our initial consultation is free, and together we'll discuss how we can help you.

Sources:

1. https://www.cybintsolutions.com/cyber-security-facts-stats/

2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogeraitken/2019/02/26/cybercrime-hacktivists-more-devastating-to-smbs-than-fire-flood-transit-strike-combined/#4f3cbeba7e3a

About Nexxo

Nexxo Computer Solutions specializes in providing IT and technology services to Quebec businesses. Its mission is to offer Quebec companies IT services tailored to their needs. Acting as an external IT department, it handles all of a company's IT tasks, allowing it to focus on its business activities. It achieves this by collaborating closely with its clients and putting their interests at the center of its concerns.