Firewall in focus: How a firewall solution defends your company

In an increasingly connected world where data protection and network security are critical, the firewall plays an important role in securing networks. In this post, we'll take an in-depth look at hardware firewalls and discuss the functions of VPN, UTM, antivirus, SSL and TLS in conjunction with firewalls. Learn how these security solutions can help businesses, especially small businesses and remote workers, protect their networks from threats.

Hardware firewalls and their features

A hardware firewall is a security solution that acts as the first line of defense between the internal network and the external network. It analyzes data traffic to block unwanted access and close security gaps. Hardware firewalls offer powerful functions such as packet filtering, Intrusion Detection System (IDS) & Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), content filtering etc.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

VPN enables secure remote access to the company network, especially for employees working from home. By using VPN, data traffic is encrypted and protected when it is transmitted via insecure Wi-Fi connections. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data packets exchanged between the external site and the internal network.

UTM (Unified Threat Management)

UTM is a comprehensive security solution that combines multiple security functions in a single hardware appliance. In addition to the functions of a conventional firewall, UTM offers functions such as antivirus, intrusion detection/prevention, content filtering and web application firewall. This simplifies management and offers holistic protection against threats.

Antivirus and firewall protection

Antivirus software is an important part of network security and works closely with a firewall. While the firewall monitors data traffic and blocks unwanted connections, the antivirus software detects and removes harmful files and viruses. The combination of antivirus and firewall ensures strong protection against malware infections.

SSL and TLS in conjunction with firewalls

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are protocols for secure data transmission on the internet. They enable the encryption of data traffic between the client and the server in order to guarantee the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted information. Firewalls can inspect SSL and TLS and detect threats that are hidden within the encrypted connection.

Firewalls can be extended with additional security functions to strengthen the protection of the internal network. These features include Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), content filtering, Web Application Firewall (WAF), sandboxing and more. By integrating these functions into a firewall appliance, advanced security mechanisms are provided.

In our store, we offer a broad portfolio of various selected manufacturers, which impress with their excellent price-performance ratio. Our renowned manufacturers include Fortinet, Sophos, Palo Alto Networks and Stormshield. These manufacturers have made a name for themselves in the industry and offer high-quality firewall solutions for companies of all sizes. Our store places great importance on product selection to ensure that we can offer our customers the best options. We take into account the individual requirements and budgets of our customers and help them choose the right firewall solution. Our experienced team is available to assist you with firewall evaluation, implementation and maintenance. Regardless of which vendor you ultimately choose, it is important that the firewall is reliable, offers powerful security features and is easy to manage to make your administrators' day-to-day work easier.

Model:	Sophos XGS 116	Model:	Fortinet FortiGate 60F
Firewall throughput:	7.7 Gbps	Firewall throughput:	10 Gbps
Firewall IMIX:	4,500 MBit/s	Firewall IMIX:	6,600 MBit/s
VPN throughput:	1.1 Gbps	VPN throughput:	900 MBit/s
CPU (Core/Threads):	x86 AMD CPU	CPU (Core/Threads):	ARMv8 8 threads
CPU (Memory):	4 GB DDR4	CPU (Memory):	1919 MB

To further optimize network security and performance, we offer a variety of complementary products that can complete your firewall solution. These include access points that enable reliable wireless connectivity, software solutions for advanced network monitoring and management, and switches that ensure fast and secure data transmission. By integrating these products into the existing firewall solution, you can extend functionality and further strengthen network security while creating a seamless and powerful infrastructure.

Which firewall is the right one?

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the right firewall for your company. Whether it's a simple desktop firewall, external firewall or next-generation firewall (NGFW), there is a suitable security appliance for every size of company. Here are some common firewall options that can meet different requirements:

1. Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW): These hardware firewalls offer advanced features beyond the traditional security appliance, such as deep packet inspection, application control and advanced threat detection. NGFWs are particularly suitable for companies that require a more comprehensive security solution.
Software firewalls: These firewalls are installed on the computer or server and provide protection at individual device level. They are often inexpensive and easy to set up, but may not be as powerful as hardware firewalls. Popular software firewalls include the Windows firewall and the firewall functions in Linux operating systems.Cloud-based firewalls: These firewalls are provided as cloud-based services and offer a scalable and flexible solution for companies that want to move their security infrastructure to the cloud. Cloud-based firewalls enable centralized management while still providing comprehensive protection for network traffic.Managed firewall services: If you don't have the resources or expertise to manage your firewall yourself, you can hire an external service provider to configure, monitor and maintain your firewall. This can be a cost-effective solution for small businesses that want to focus on their core competencies.

It is important to assess your specific requirements, including the size of your business, desired level of security, budget and scalability. It is advisable to consult an experienced IT security expert to find the best firewall solution for your specific requirements. You are welcome to send us a no-obligation email with your concerns or book a free initial consultation with us.

A firewall is a crucial element of a company's network security. By integrating VPN, UTM, antivirus, SSL and TLS, additional layers of security are added to protect networks from threats. The combination of these security solutions ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, especially in environments such as the home office. Companies, regardless of their size, should invest in powerful hardware firewalls to effectively secure their networks and data.