Data security is a hot topic and with all of the latest breaches coming out on the news enterprises should stay attentive of their security measures. Security is a constant battle because of the advancements of attacks. However, by obtaining a quality firewall you can ensure that your infrastructure remains safe.
Firewalls have evolved throughout the years and even though the do a great job securing your infrastructure, it is always advised that you add on additional security measures. Four out of 5 businesses have both firewall and additional security measures, and three out of four perform regular network vulnerability scanning. Multiple security layers will support and reinforce one another and will create a stronger security barrier.
When searching for a firewall there is one thing you should always remember. If you approach this task with the “just quote me” attitude you are likely going to end up with an affordable solution that doesn’t actually meet all of your needs. Take your time, research your options, and find a result you will be happy with. Here are some of the things you should be inquiring about when shopping for a firewall:
Bandwidth – Before you choose a firewall you should determine how much bandwidth you are currently using and then plan for future usage. Your firewall should be able to find a firewall that will keep your network secure even during busy seasons. You should contact your network provider and find out the size of your current network bandwidth and its burstable limits.
Software Firewall vs Hardware Firewall – When searching for a suitable firewall you should evaluate whether your business would benefit from a software or hardware type of firewall. Software firewall has to go into each individual computer and if you have a large number of PCs in your company this may not be the best option. Hardware firewall or virtually integrated firewall is more cost effective when it comes to securing a medium to large enterprise. Hardware our virtually integrated (like the firewall in our vnCloud) can protect your entire network. It can also be monitored by a single administrator if you so choose. A quality firewall should be able to determine security threats and reduce the chances of any employees accessing destructive programs.
Vendor Reputation – One thing that you certainly do not want to overlook is a vendor’s reputation. Thanks to the internet researching a vendor’s reputation is easy. You are bound to find reviews, testimonials, complaints, and even public relations scandals if there are any. If a company doesn’t have a strong track record yet you may choose to ask to speak to some of their customers as references. Obviously, if you read that the company has been known to get hacked or have downtime often it’s best to stay away from businesses like that. You should also stay away from businesses known for fraud and terrible customer service. You have enough to worry about and checking up on your firewall provider shouldn’t be added to that list.
To learn about our firewall solutions contact us by sending an email to sales@vaultnetworks.com or calling 305-735-8098, option 2.