If you’re a startup or a small business, firewalls are essential because they offer a cost-effective way of protecting your network from possible attacks. Hackers find it convenient to invade small businesses as most don’t have elaborate security infrastructure, making penetrating their networks easier. Unfortunately, only a few companies use firewalls, making them a prime target.
This article shares some of the best firewall solutions for small businesses. For instance, Cisco Meraki offers one of the best all-around protections and is an excellent solution for small businesses with multiple locations. Alternatively, a large organization can significantly benefit from Palo Alto Network System, which offers fantastic features ideal for large organizations. Consequently, the WatchGuard Firebox T40 is an excellent solution if you need advanced protection services for your company.
If you are a startup, consider investing in a firewall, as it can guard against catastrophic cyberattacks when you least expect it. You may wonder which is the most appropriate option and how you can navigate the crowded market to find one that fits your needs. Thankfully, by the end of it, this article offers vital information that will help you to decide on an appropriate service provider.
1. Cisco Meraki
Cisco Meraki is a security firewall able to support up to 50 users making it an ideal option for small-sized offices. It has a unified management system that assists with securities of WAN, IoT, and MDM appliances.
Features
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Data transfer: 450 Megabits per second
- Controller type: Android
Benefits
1. Excellent Solution For Small Businesses
Cisco Meraki is a fantastic option for small-sized offices with less than ten users. It is integrated with intelligent connection monitoring to detect layer 2 and 3 failovers and outages automatically. From there, you can address any arising challenge immediately. The cloud setting scale progressively from small deployments that host few devices but can also accommodate thousands of devices.
2. Simple Management
Cisco Meraki is a firewall that is easy to manage and comes with an intuitive web-based dashboard that provides comprehensive information in a centralized location. You can store important information in one place making it easier to retrieve and make references. Also, you don’t need additional expertise to manage VPN devices.
3. Swift Deployment
All configurations are handled in the Cloud, making deployment relatively fast. Users must plug the device into a power source and the internet to secure their network.
4. Reporting
This firewall can generate reports about the device usage helping you determine which application consumes the most bandwidth. It is also possible to change policies, support role-based configuration and administration, and send email alerts.
5. Protection
This firewall monitors and detects risks and provides advanced malware protection that offers enterprise-grade security options for small businesses.
2. Palo Alto Networks PA-220 Lab
Palo Alto PA-220’s next-generation firewall is suitable for organizations, retail locations, and branch offices and can help prevent modern cyberattacks. This firewall has features that protect large data centers. It also provides interactive visibility and control of applications, content, and users at high throughput speeds. If your company uses cloud-based file-sharing services like Dropbox or Google Drive, investing in a Palo Alto Firewall router would be beneficial.
Features
- Connectivity: Ethernet
- Voltage: 120 V
- Operating system: PANOS
- Number of posts: 10
Benefits
1. Visibility
This firewall provides complete visibility into all network traffic based on devices, content, users, or applications.
2. Protection
The firewall is integrated with security features that can handle advanced or unknown cyber threats irrespective of the user or data’s location.
3. Automation
Palo Alto’s innovative features utilize automation while reducing manual tasks and enhancing your security. It offers real-time protection and safeguards your network.
3. Watchguard Firebox T40
WatchGuard Firebox is a security system that provides enterprise-level network security to small businesses.
Features
- Dimensions: 9.37 x 9 x 4.62 inches
- Weight: 3.69 pounds
- Wi-Fi capable Firebox
Summary
1. High speed
This firebox has 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports that support high-speed LAN backbone infrastructures and gigabit WAN connections. Also, the Wi-Fi firebox offers support that guarantees a high-speed output for users.
2. Security
The firewall has additional features that provide advanced threat protection. For instance, it offers content and URL filter options, anti-spam, invasion protection, and Cloud sandboxing, significantly minimizing cyberattack risk.
3. Technology
The firewall’s design includes advanced features like AI-powered malware, DNS filtering, PCI, HIPAA, and Wi-Fi support. These features allow the device to identify malicious elements and instantly flag them.
Benefits
1. Convenience
WatchGuard Firebox offers heightened security even to small-scale offices located in remote locations. This is possible because the appliances are tiny and can fit into any infrastructure. Integrating it is straightforward. Hence, no need for specialized expertise. This is cost-effective as it saves resources and time. The technology leverages cloud-based arrangement and configuration so that your workforce connects the device to a power source and the internet. Once that is done, the cloud configuration automatically begins offering protection to your network.
2. Advanced security
WatchGuard has a complete security suite that integrates comprehensive threat management solutions. These solutions include anti-spam, content & URL filtering, Cloud sandboxing, intrusion prevention, and application control, all in an easy-to-manage package. The firewall offers the most all-inclusive portfolio of security services. Additionally, the supply of each security is delivered as an integrated solution. It comes with an easy-to-manage and affordable Firefox appliance. The primary security suite offers the following:
- SpamBlocker
- Intrusion Prevention
- Network Discovery
- Application control
- Gateway Antivirus
- Reputation Enabled Defense
- WebBlocker
3. Quick and simple deployment
The firewall helps eliminate much of the labor requirements as you can do it yourself without leaving your workstation. Still, even as a beginner, you can navigate it. All that’s required of you is to connect the device to a power point and have an internet connection. After that, the device can connect to the Cloud for all configuration settings.
5. Automation
WatchGuard Firefox is automated, allowing teams to do more with less. Whether deploying from the Cloud, updating signatures, obstructing threats, or detecting and destroying malware, you can do this without much effort. The firewall utilizes AI technology that automatically detects and responds to sophisticated cyber threats.
6. Network optimization
Firefox T40 simplifies network optimization. You can minimize using costly 4G/LTE or MPLS connections. You can also inspect traffic and improve your network’s resilience and performance, even from a small office.
4. SonicWall TZ400 Security Firewall
SonicWall is an advanced firewall system that protects networks from possible invasion, malware, and ransomware attacks. It is an easy-to-integrate security solution that delivers enterprise-grade protection.
Summary
1. SSL/TSL Decryption and Inspection
SonicWall firewall leverages industry-leading decryption and inspection and real-time support of TSL/SSL-encrypted traffic.
2. Easy to set up
One good feature of this firewall is its simplified setup process. You can connect from practically any operating system and scales up as your network expands. It supports a Zero-Touch Deployment and can detect or remove threats via a VPN connection. You can opt for PoE and Wi-Fi options integrated with the SonicOS operating system, which offers an integrated security solution.
3. Centralized management and reporting
Usually, many small businesses can hardly afford to have a dedicated employee to handle their security needs. That is why a simplified monitoring system that is easy to track and maintain is a great alternative. Thankfully, SonicWall TZ400 is a great option. This cohesive firewall management system offers a centralized management structure and reporting, so users can access all the information they need through a centralized location. Manage everything from a single location with Network Security Manager.
4. Deep Memory Inspection
This feature allows you to block the most advanced attacks with Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection. It helps identify deeper levels of threats and shares this information and intelligence for future use. It also performs this quickly without compromising performance and can detect sophisticated attacks.
5. Superior Performance
You also swiftly get advanced threat protection without compromising on performance. The latest integrations offer expandable storage and convenient app onboarding.
Benefits
- It leverages advanced and the latest technologies to offer maximum security.
- The firewall can connect from any operating system.
- It can detect and remove hidden threats over a VPN connection.
- You can access resources remotely.
- The integrated system saves you time and resources.
- Easy to navigate so you don’t need a dedicated technician to handle the firewall.
Features
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Operating system: SonicOS 6x
- Dimensions: 10L x 9W x 3H inches.
Perimeter 81 is a Cloud-based firewall platform that offers a wide range of security solutions. It provides individual software, such as Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), that links into a collective configuration system to help guard users, software, and equipment from malicious attacks.
5. Perimeter 81
Benefits
1. Affordability
Perimeter 81 offers a subscription service with a monthly charge calculated based on the number of users and gateways in your system. This means that Perimeter 81 has hardly any upfront costs making it much more affordable than the hard-ware-based firewalls. Businesses on a budget can benefit from this service as no upfront costs make it quite affordable.
2. Multiple Options
To create the firewall, you should enter your security policies into the setup screen for the FWaaS in the Perimeter cloud-hosted console. By doing so, you create an opportunity to list all the assets that you’d like to guard. These assets don’t necessarily have to be on the site. Perimeter 81 platform presents the option of implementing current security strategies for hybrid systems like Zero Trust Access (ZTA) and Security Access Service Edge (SASE).
3. Maximum Protection
Perimeter 81 provides multiple options for the system protection you’d like to implement. Whether on a local network or otherwise, you can comprehensively safeguard your systems from malware and cyberattacks using this versatile service.
4. Solution for Small Businesses
Perimeter 81 is a fantastic solution for an uncontained, cluttered, detached group of services mainly used by small businesses. It provides an opportunity to implement application-level security with a Secure Access Service Edge or Zero Trust Access model. This helps bind together all your scattered services into one safe virtual network.
6. Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway
UniFi Security Gateway extends its services to offer network security and router services by combining high performance with reliable protection.
Features
- Wireless type: 802.11b
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Weight: 12.3 ounces
- 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Benefits
1. VLAN support
Ubiquiti adds to the convenience of using VLAN and can segment virtual networks to improve network traffic management. It also reduces the chances of malicious data from penetrating through. This segmentation helps in boosting security and minimize the possibility of a cyberattack.
2. Enhanced User Experience
It has a centralized dashboard that provides critical information making it easy to access and make informed choices. Network information helps improve employee efficiency.
3. Speed
The UniFi Security Gateway hastens the inspection process without compromising security, leading to a latency-free video streaming experience for users.
4. Convenience
UniFi’s software design enhances the overall user experience. It has a centralized dashboard that carries all the information you need making it convenient as it will save you plenty of time.
5. Flexibility
This firewall can manage several sites simultaneously, which benefits companies with multiple branches within a region.
7. Sophos Firewall
SFOS or Sophos Firewall is an operating system that offers the software groundwork of Sophos XG firewall. This firewall provides extensive features that help businesses of all sizes deploy security systems best suit their needs. Some information that Sophos processes include:
- IP addresses
- Customer ID
- Firewall hostname
- Filename
- Systems logs and events
- Usernames
- Machine ID
Features
- Dimensions: 8.09L x 9.06L x 1.72H inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- IPS throughput: 1,355 Mbps
Benefits
1. Security
Sophos secures customer information by validating access through the username and password. The powerful next-gen protection offers deep learning and intrusion prevention to protect your organization from the latest attacks. This advanced technology provides superior visibility into unknown applications, exposing hidden risks, suspicious traffic, and advanced threats. It also helps you to regain control of your network.
2. Safety
There’s always a risk that SSL inspection might have a performance impact leading to breakage. To counter this risk, Sophos Firewall removes blind spots caused by encrypted traffic by permitting you to use SSL inspection while enhancing performance efficiency.
3. Deep Packet Inspection
With this high-performance streaming deep packet inspection, you can stop ransomware and breaches in security. This feature also integrates next-gen IPS, sandboxing, app control, and web protection.
4. Speed
XGS and Sophos series appliances have dedicated Xstream Flow Processors that facilitate application acceleration, high-performance TSL inspection, and robust threat protection.
5. Automation
With synchronized security automation, threat response instantly identifies and isolates compromised systems on your networks and helps prevent breaches. It identifies malicious sources where immediately and automatically blocks them.
6. Simplicity
Sophos has a Cloud-managed dashboard that is simplified and easy to navigate. It offers comprehensive information from a single pane making it very convenient to navigate.
Conclusion
Firewalls are essential additions for businesses, especially small ones, which are prime targets for hackers. Due to the financial challenge that many startups and small businesses face, they hardly invest in their security and hence become easy targets for hackers. You must first identify your requirements and budget to get an appropriate firewall for your small business. Decide whether you’re better off with a software, hardware firewall, or both. We hope the information shared here will help you prioritize your security, as there are many affordable firewall options in the market.
