Data security is a constant topic in the news, and with new breaches surfacing regularly, businesses need to stay on top of their security measures. Finding the right enterprise firewall is one of the most effective ways to keep your infrastructure safe, since it forms the first line of defense against most attacks.
Firewalls have evolved significantly over the years, and even though a modern firewall does a great job securing your infrastructure, it is still worth adding extra security layers on top of it. Four out of five businesses run both a firewall and additional security measures, and three out of four perform regular network vulnerability scanning. Multiple layers reinforce one another and build a stronger overall barrier.
What to Look for in an Enterprise Firewall
When searching for an enterprise firewall, avoid the “just quote me” approach. Taking that shortcut usually lands you with an affordable solution that does not actually meet your needs. Take your time, research your options, and land on a result you will be happy with. Here is what to ask about while you shop:
Bandwidth
Before you choose a firewall, determine how much bandwidth you are currently using, then plan for future usage. Contact your network provider to find out your current bandwidth and its burstable limits, so your enterprise firewall can keep your network secure even during busy seasons.
Software Firewall vs Hardware Firewall
When comparing options, weigh whether your business would benefit more from a software or hardware firewall. A software firewall has to be installed on each individual computer, which becomes impractical once you have a large number of PCs. A hardware or virtually integrated firewall, like the one built into our vnCloud, protects your entire network at once and can be monitored by a single administrator. A quality enterprise firewall should be able to flag security threats and reduce the chances of employees accessing destructive programs.
Vendor Reputation
Do not overlook a vendor’s reputation. Because research is easy today, you can usually find reviews, testimonials, complaints, and even public relations issues if they exist. If a company does not have a strong track record yet, ask to speak with some of their customers as references. If you find a pattern of hacks or frequent downtime, or a reputation for fraud or poor customer service, stay away. You already have enough to manage without adding firewall provider problems 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.