Tag: professional services

SonicWall Support: How to Support Your SonicWall

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 18, 2020

SonicWall Support: How to Support Your SonicWall

firewall professional services SonicWALL sonicwall support

What is SonicWall Support…And why do I need it?

A SonicWall firewall is an important purchase. It’s an investment showing that you recognize the need to protect your network from the many cyber threats out there today. But to truly ensure you have that secure network through thick and thin, you need someone backing you – and it – up. That’s where SonicWall Support comes in to lend a hand. What do you get with SonicWall Support?

Software and Firmware Updates

We know that cyber threats are ever evolving. And never before seen vulnerabilities can pop up out of the blue. A SonicWall Support subscription gets you any software and firmware updates needed to patch those unforeseen holes. That means you don’t need to search out updates or worry if you’ll be able to load them. Just like Phoebe, Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Joey, and even Ross – they’ll be there for you. Oh, and the same goes for any software or firmware upgrades while your subscription is active.

Advance Hardware Replacement

If it seems like something’s wrong with your firewall, SonicWall Support will work with you to see if a replacement is needed. If so, you’ll receive a Returned Material Authorization or RMA number. And most importantly, SonicWall will ship you a replacement unit for next business day delivery. The replacement appliance will even automatically have your registration information and subscription services transferred to it. All you’ll need to do is return your defective device, with shipping paid by SonicWall.

Technical Support

Simply put, when you have a question or issue, you can reach out for help in whatever contact method you prefer. You get an expert on the other end of the phone, an online chat, or an email. They’ll help you troubleshoot your issue with knowledgeable technical support. You can go with 8×5 Support – which is available during business hours Monday through Friday in your time zone. Go for 24×7 Support to ensure there’s always someone at your beck and call immediately, because trouble doesn’t care what time it is.

SonicWall Support also equips you with tools to support yourself. There’s a knowledge base offering detailed documentation. And moderated discussion groups through the SonicWall Community allow you to collaborate with others to solve common problems.

Beyond Support

Keep in mind, SonicWall Support specialists are there to ensure your products perform up to specifications – so not every question or situation may qualify. The good news is, if you need more advanced support there’s an option for you as well. To ensure you’ll always have answers to any questions about your network – you’ll want to go managed. That is, a managed security subscription through Firewalls.com.

Our Managed Security Service takes you beyond support – with certified engineers offering configuration updates, help with any network issues you may have, assistance with those software or firmware updates, help with equipment repair or replacement, and more. That more includes 24×7 monitoring of your firewall with quarterly checkups and web-based reporting. In fact, you can expect a call from us offering a fix to an issue or a configuration tweak to optimize your network. That proactive monitoring means solutions come before problems take down your network. And signing up for Managed Services requires no contract – they operate with flexible month to month subscriptions. Visit our Professional Services page to learn more, or call 866-645-2140 to get started.

How Do I Get SonicWall Support?

SonicWall Support is available in a variety of ways (and for a variety of products). The simplest – and best – way to get a support subscription is through a TotalSecure Advanced Edition bundle. The bundle includes SonicWall hardware plus Advanced Gateway Security Suite, which includes 24×7 support plus just about any other key security service you can think of. If you want to go the a la carte route, both 8×5 and Standard Support subscription options are also available, but the bundle is the way to go for total network protection from any threat.

4 Things to Consider Before an SD-WAN Migration

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On September 13, 2019

4 Things to Consider Before an SD-WAN Migration

fortiguard mobile service fortinet secure sd-wan lan professional services sd-wan

Just about any Google search for the phrase “SD-WAN” will turn up an overabundance of articles explaining why replacing traditional MPLS with SD-WAN solutions can save you time and money. Heck, we even published a podcast about it. There is certainly no shortage of elevator pitches pointing you toward SD-WAN (also known as a software-defined wide area network); however, like all things in life, there is far more to the process than “just doing it.” Keep reading and we’ll lay out four key considerations to account for before any SD-WAN migration.

1 – Take Inventory

Your first step should be taking an accurate inventory of all of the locations, connections, and applications using your network. Categorize these locations by requirements. Do they rely on extremely high availability? What requirements are there for factors such a packet loss and jitter? Consider also the costs that each piece of the puzzle will require. All of these factors figure into what your business’s path to SD-WAN looks like.

Forming a highly detailed network diagram should be a priority. Knowing your WAN–including physical locations of devices and the layout of your LAN (local area network)–is crucial. Individual locations may require unique services, bandwidth, or traffic considerations. You will likely be sharing this network diagram with any third-party vendors you work with, ISPs, and your IT team so that all parties participating in the migration have a comprehensive understand of your needs. Firewalls.com always recommends that you leave plenty of wiggle room in your systems to accommodate for growth. With so many applications increasingly re-homing in the cloud, you should absolutely plan for the future of your SD-WAN solution to be able to accommodate them in the coming years.

2 – Determine What the Roll-Out Will Look Like

The second consideration is how quickly you expect your SD-WAN roll-out will be. Businesses have the option to switch everything from MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) as a routing technique to SD-WAN at once, or complete the process in a number of smaller, more modest phases.

SD-WAN is a flexible solution that can work in tandem with MPLS deployments already in place, allowing businesses to operate both simultaneously. Many organizations, especially small businesses, may not be ready or be able to migrate their entire WAN infrastructure in one process, and that’s okay. Hybrid WAN management, where certain connections are handled by MPLS and the rest by SD-WAN are not only possible, but fairly common.

Even if an organization is unable to fully transfer connections to SD-WAN, hybrid WAN management allows for reduced costs associated with bandwidth over time. Not only is this extremely flexible, but the money saved through SD-WAN begets resources needed for the later continuation of digital transformation. Or, put plainly, sometimes you have to save money to save more money later. Hybrid WAN environments make that possible.

3 – Acquire Dedicated Internet Access Lines Early

After taking inventory of the network and diagramming WAN infrastructure, you’ll have a solid idea of exactly what connections and bandwidth requirements to consider. Organizations need to start very early on with the process of orchestrating Internet service provider (ISP) installations, especially if connecting outposts or branch offices in remote locations. Getting Internet circuits installed can take several weeks or months. If the entire SD-WAN migration grinds to a halt while waiting on an ISP to haul fiber to branch locations, businesses can find themselves relying on more expensive MPLS solutions for longer than expected. Those costs add up and can act as a costly spoiler unaccounted for in initial budgeting.

4 – Consider Effects on End Users

Change, even positive change, causes friction. Friction in a business environment can have ripple effects on budget, productivity, and reputation, so it is imperative that businesses are fully prepared for cause-and-effect wrinkles in their daily routines. To that end, there are a number of questions you should ask about how an SD-WAN migration can impact users and internal traffic.

How much downtime should be expected for individual applications during the migration? If these are business critical applications, how can this impact be mitigated to minimally interfere with company workflow?

What changes will end users see in their daily network usage after successfully migrating to SD-WAN? Consider the training your staff may need to understand how this new infrastructure affects them. Again, change creates friction that may rub end users the wrong way, particularly if they’re used to doing things a certain way for a long time.

Speaking of end users, SD-WAN often extends greater access to mobile users on your network by eliminating the backhauling issues that mobile devices face with MPLS. Mobile backhaul describes the unseen process of how data-hungry mobile devices interact with wireless networks and data centers. However, SD-WAN excels at backhauling optimization, allowing for freer access to the network for mobile users. While this may be a boon for mobile workers, organizations should take additional security steps to account for increased mobile traffic on the network. Fortinet’s Secure SD-WAN integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Fortinet Security Fabric, extending powerful mobile security to minimize this impact when using products such as FortiGuard Mobile Service.

Another change that comes with SD-WAN migration is the beneficial impact it has on the IT department. SD-WAN can improve visibility and reduce the number of touch points and management tasks that IT needs to keep up with on a day-to-day basis. Organizations should consider how this lessened burden on the IT schedule can be taken advantage of to further improve network security and performance. What are network administrators to do with all of this extra time and increased control?

SD-WAN Management Made Easy

Hopefully this article has instilled some confidence if you’re on the fence about an SD-WAN migration. But Firewalls.com can still make managing your SD-WAN even easier. With a Security Operations Center filled to the brim with highly certified network administrators and architects, our Professional Services team can actively manage and configure SD-WAN on your behalf as an affordable, commitment-free monthly subscription. Give us a call at the number below to learn how Firewalls.com Professional Services can turn SD-WAN into an E-Z win.

Call us at 866-957-2975 to learn more!

Data Breach Reminds: Configuration Is Key

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On July 31, 2019

Data Breach Reminds: Configuration Is Key

configurations data breach professional services

An Unfortunate Reminder

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it 1,000 times – and we’ll keep saying it: the right configuration is key for your network to be fully secure. We had another reminder this week, with news of a data breach affecting Capital One in which a hacker gained access to more than 100 million credit card applications and accounts, in what CNN calls, one of the biggest data breaches ever. Capital One had security measures in place, but the breach still occurred. So how did the hacker get through? A misconfigured web application firewall.

Misconfiguration Opens the Door

More specifically, according to the criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, “a firewall misconfiguration permitted commands to reach and be executed by [a specific] server, which enabled access to folders or buckets of data in Capital One’s storage space at the Cloud Computing Company.” Unfortunately, this is all too common. According to Gartner, 99% of successful network breaches can be attributed to a misconfiguration of the firewall.

The DOJ complaint alleges the hacker gained access multiple times over a few months. It wasn’t until Capital One received an anonymous tip that the company became aware of the data breach. That means the stolen personal information – which included approximately 120,000 social security numbers, more than 75,000 bank account numbers, and millions of names, addresses, and birth dates – was available to the highest bidder for quite some time.

Not only was the firewall misconfigured, the theft was not quickly detected. Those are two expensive issues you don’t want your network to have. Capital One expects to spend $100 to $150 million in costs related to this data breach.

How Can I Prevent a Breach?

So how do you prevent the same thing from happening to you? Get a professional configuration with ongoing management of your network. Our network engineers provide personalized solutions based on your unique needs, ensuring optimized performance and security. Once your configuration is complete, they offer managed security services that take the burden of everyday monitoring, patching vulnerabilities, threat detection, and more away, allowing you to rest assured that the security of your valuable data is in the hands of top-notch, certified professionals. And anytime you have a question, they’ll be there at our Security Operations Center to help.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROFESSIONAL CONFIGURATIONS

If you want to take a crack at a configuration on your own, we can help with that, too. Our configuration checklist takes you on a deep dive through the complexities of the configuration process and helps you keep your settings, rules, and hierarchies organized. Did we mention it’s FREE to download?

*If you’re a Capital One customer and think you may be affected by the data breach, here are some steps you can take.

The Configuration Conundrum: When good businesses make bad choices on firewall configuration

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On February 18, 2019

The Configuration Conundrum: When good businesses make bad choices on firewall configuration

Firewall configuration professional services

Breaking Down the Common Reasons Why Businesses Skip a Professional Firewall Configuration

At Firewalls.com we spend each and every day discussing common network security woes, helping partners craft unique solutions, and helping to widen firewall education and expertise for all. We’ve heard it all: knee-slapping tales from administrators in sticky situations; never-seen-before security conundrums and, of course, plenty of bad excuses. Any network security engineer worth their salt understands that securing small business networks doesn’t stop at choosing which appliance model or services to buy. Even the most modern and impressive hardware is no better than a door stop if administrators don’t understand how to configure, deploy, and maintain the complex security systems needed to combat 2019’s most advanced threats.

Our new video series, which we’ve named the Configuration Conundrum, takes a hard look at some of the less-than-solid reasons why businesses choose to configure their own firewall (or, in most cases, attempt to configure their own firewall) instead of having their advanced security appliances configured by a team of experienced, certified engineers. Over the next few episodes, we’re putting the penny-pinchers, security-gamblers, and “I’ll-get-to-it-later” guys on blast! So hop over to our YouTube channel and join us as we dissect the most common reasons why small businesses risk their security (and your confidential data) by opting for sub-par or non-existent firewall configurations.

Check Out the Videos

“I’ve got a guy for that!” Ah, yes. We’ve all got our favorite vaguely-titled “business consultant” or “IT solution grower” to fall back on. Whatever title he claims on his LinkedIn profile, he can run cables, register employee MAC addresses, reconnect the printers, and can maybe fix the coffee pot too.

Is he a security expert? Not specifically.

Does he have network experience? He’s got a little experience in a lot of things.

Does he have certifications, manufacturer training, or industry accolades? No, but he’ll cut you a great deal.

Check out this short video to see what can go wrong when your guy accidentally leaves the door open to ransomware on your network.

Budget constraints. We get it. That’s our go-to excuse when we’re looking to get off a sales call too! As cyber security threats grow more advanced and more dangerous, the once modest IT budget is encroaching further and further up the P&L, eating up OpEx that you were hoping to carry into next quarter.

A good configuration pays for itself. By eliminating unnecessary services, preventing bottlenecks that slow down business-critical resources, and intelligently restricting network traffic to productive activities, a professional firewall configuration ensures that you’re not wasting resources or, worse, rendering your security investment moot by leaving elusive pinholes and blindspots that persistent threats use to worm their way in.

Check out this Budget video to see why prevention is ALWAYS cheaper than remediation.

Some people can’t resist a good puzzle. For the enterprising DIY master a complex firewall configuration seems like tempting sport. Unfortunately, they rarely have the expensive virtual labs needed to stress-test their results with simulated traffic, pre-staged attacks, and benchmarking platforms.

What that means is that their first real attack is a live-fire assessment of how well they did. Like testing out a boat design by shipping out to sea, configuration-hobbyists often find themselves frantically patching holes, bailing water, and holding bulkheads in place as they gradually slip beneath the waves.

60% of small businesses that experience a data breach shutter their doors within 6 months. This video outlines why you should never gamble your life’s work on a weekend project.

How to Ensure a High-Quality, Professional Firewall Configuration

Don’t deploy top-dollar hardware with bottom of the barrel settings. Look behind the curtain of the setup wizard and you’ll see that the cyber threats of 2019 can’t be whisked away with a magic wand. If you want to make the very most of your security investment; if you want to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies working in perfectly-integrated harmony; if you want personalized solutions with 1-on-1 considerations designed to address your unique needs and demands, you deserve a professional firewall configuration.

You should seek out a professional services team with an on-site Security Operations Center, a multitude of certifications, and tangible experience earned through on-going education and a rich history of security expertise.

Still want to take a crack at DIY? We wish you the best of luck and recommend you check out the . Our configuration checklist guides you through the steps of the configuration process and helps you keep your settings, rules, and hierarchies organized. It’s in-depth and completely free to download!

Stay tuned for our second installment where we’ll cover even more of the common excuses that business use to skip out on professional firewall configurations.

Pro Services Spotlight: Shaping Network Access

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On November 8, 2018

Pro Services Spotlight: Shaping Network Access

professional services

While quality network security appliances are crucial for your organization’s success, there are more factors at play when it comes to ensuring your network functions at the highest levels possible. That’s why, in addition to top-notch hardware, we have a staff of manufacturer-certified experts offering a variety of customized solutions to help your network excel. Our engineers, located on-site at our Indianapolis Security Operations Center, can assist with anything from email security to phone systems. We offer both hourly support contracts and one-time security services.

We introduced you to a few of our Professional Services in the first of our Pro Services Spotlight posts, and a few more in the second. As we wrap up the series, we’ll explore how our experts can help you create a content and accessibility framework that maximizes security and productivity.

Content Filtering

Are you concerned employees are spending too much time watching videos or updating their social media accounts instead of working? Or maybe you just want to ensure the websites they visit are legal and secure.

Either way, we can give you granular control of the sites your users can access. Through content filtering, you can even customize rules to specific groups, so if your marketing team needs to post on your organization’s Facebook, they can, while the rest of your employees have to use their own time to scroll through puppy photos. And if you ever want to tweak your policies for any reason, we can help with that, too.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Access Control Lists

Winters here in Indianapolis can get pretty frigid, so to keep warm, layering is key. That same principle applies when it comes to protecting your network. Access Control Lists can provide an extra blanket of security to your organization by allowing you to create ground rules for what your network lets in, who can see it, and when.

Our experts can help you build upon existing blacklists and whitelists to create firm controls unique to your organization’s needs. Limiting how users and groups can interact through your network can also limit access to sensitive data, functions, and applications, which not only keeps your information secure, it also helps you meet regulatory compliance requirements.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Single Sign-On

It can be hard to keep track of who’s who and who’s where on your network. At least that used to be a problem…

With Single Sign-On setup by our engineers, your employees’ identities can transfer seamlessly from device to device, allowing you to easily track individual activity. It’s like a FitBit that instead of measuring their steps, measures their activity on your network. Employees can also appreciate this feature, as it eases access to their personal files and configurations – saving them time and headaches (and frantic calls to the IT department) when moving between devices.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Explore All Our Services

These are just a few of the many Professional Services our Firewalls.com experts offer. If you’re interested in one or all of them, see our full suite of options or call us today at 317-225-4117 to learn more.

Pro Services Spotlight: Ready, Set, Network!

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On November 7, 2018

Pro Services Spotlight: Ready, Set, Network!

professional services

We introduced you to a few of our Professional Services in the first of our Pro Services Spotlight posts. In the series’ second post, let’s take a closer look at a few of the Professional Services we offer that help you setup your network for success.

Go Wireless

Mobility breeds flexibility. That is, when your employees are no longer tethered to a desk to access their files, they are able to hold impromptu hallway meetings, go over a graphic at the watercooler, or video chat with a client from the break room. The key to making your workers mobile is a strong wireless network.

Our experts can help you setup fast, secure WiFi – for employees, guests, or both – scaled to your organization’s needs. They’ll also get Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) rules in place, so that you can ensure your network can safely handle the wide variety of smartphones, tablets, laptops, & more that could be logging on.

REQUEST A QUOTE

VOIP

Are you down with VOIP? Yeah, you know me! By now, you’re probably aware that VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. And you’re probably also aware that VOIP is becoming more and more prevalent due to its affordability and feature set.

Optimize your VOIP system with the help of our engineers to ensure top-notch reliability and crystal clear quality. In other words, no more missed opportunities due to dropped calls or bad connections. Plus, just like WiFi, we can easily scale your VOIP up and down when needed.

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High Availability

So you have your network up and running, humming away at peak efficiency. But what if your primary firewall goes down? Do you have a plan? The good news is: We Do. It’s called High Availability, and it grants access to your data around the clock, with no loss of productivity if a hardware failure occurs.

Working with our experts, you can get your backup system in place and establish maintenance schedules that will eliminate the need for planned downtime. With High Availability in place you’ll have built-in redundancy, keeping a malfunction from becoming a disaster.

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Explore All of Our Services

Pro Services Spotlight: Add Punch to Your Network Security

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On November 1, 2018

Pro Services Spotlight: Add Punch to Your Network Security

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In our first post of our Pro Services Spotlight series, let’s take a closer look at a few of the Professional Services we offer that help add punch to your network security.

Firewall Health Check

So you’ve purchased your firewall and it’s been up and running for a year or two. But when was it last updated? The ever-changing landscape of online threats–including viruses, malware cocktails, and ransomware-as-a-service–means you can no longer “set it and forget it” after installing a firewall.

With a Firewall Health Check, our experts review your firewall configuration & settings to determine if there’s room for improvement in your security posture. If there is, they’ll make sure to bring your firewall up-to-date with the latest policies, configurations, best practices, and more. Our engineers assess every nook and cranny to ensure you’re ready to combat the next wave of threats.

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Email Security

Whether you have dozens, hundreds, or thousands of users, email is often the easiest route for hackers to infiltrate your organization. A seemingly innocent click by an employee can expose your network to a litany of problems.

With Email Security Services, our experts configure SMTP, POP3, & IMAP settings to protect your business from threats such as phishing, domain spoofing, and other social engineering scams. Your appliance can also be configured to block sensitive information such as credit card information, social security numbers, and log-in credentials to knock out suspicious emails before they touch your network.

REQUEST A QUOTE

DPI/SSL & CA

Over 60% of web traffic hides behind encryption. How does your security hardware know whether data is safe? Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Our engineers take on the complex task of enabling your network for deep packet inspection to scan all traffic, encrypted or otherwise, for the latest advanced threats.

We also offer expert help for deploying trusted certificates that signal to customers and visitors that your site is secure. This helps your business establish customer trust and increase visibility to search engines like Google and Bing.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Explore All of Our Services

3 Questions Every Small Business Owner Should Ask Before Building Their Own Network

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On December 15, 2017

3 Questions Every Small Business Owner Should Ask Before Building Their Own Network

AntiSpam configuration DIY faas firewall licenses firewalls professional services small business SMB sophos intercept x

You’re a small business owner with a lengthy laundry list of tasks and some DIY self-reliance. You can do your own research. You can learn. But cyber security is something that needs to be done and done right, so you’re not going to just charge into the fray. So, how hard is setting up a secure network, really?

The degree of difficulty can range from fairly straightforward to hair-pullingly complex. The specific goals and pain points of your organization will be driving factors in the type of hardware you purchase, the endpoint protection you run, and the shape of your network. This post is an ideal starting point for the fearless small business owner ready to ascend the cyber security summit. Here are three questions every small business owner should ask themselves before setting up their network.

Question 1: What are my unique goals?

Network security solutions are not one size fits all. Small business owners should consider the unique challenges that face their industry, their location, and the specific needs of their business. While a powerful content filtering service may be a make-or-break factor for a school district, that same service may be irrelevant to a marketing agency that relies on unfettered access to content. Retailers face PCI compliance requirements in order to secure their POS systems, but a contracting business that rarely processes in-person transactions has little use for a PCI compliant buildout.

Outline the average workday in your office and list which aspects of network utilization are critical for optimizing productivity and reliability. If your organization requires nimble network performance, you may pursue a leaner, dynamic security solution that won’t be bogged down with excessive UTM applications. If your organization deploys mobile workers or operates a web of remote offices, you may want to focus your efforts on VPN tunnels, email security, and secure remote access.

These considerations ultimately influence your decisions regarding the size, brand, and throughput of the firewall you purchase. If you seek reliability and beginner-friendly management, an appliance from SonicWall’s TZ Series could be a great fit. If you want to assign performance-heavy services, subscriptions, or apps on your network, you’ll find that a WatchGuard Firebox T Series appliance can handle the intense workload smoothly. And if you’re an adventurous early-adopter type that swept their school science fair multiple years running, you’ll have a ton of fun exploring the steeper learning curve and nuanced capabilities of a Sophos XG Firewall.

Question 2: What licenses, subscriptions, or services will run on my firewall?

If network security is a car, the new firewall box you just got in the mail is the chassis and engine of that car. You can put it in drive and go, but cars have come a long way since basic stop-and-go functionality. Consider your add-ons. While technically optional, you’re probably not going to stick with a car for long if it doesn’t have A/C, radio, ABS, seatbelts, power steering, or cupholders. You may not need or want all of these options, but most everyone will find a few they can’t go without.

Corporate email breaches and phishing represent some of the most aggressive threats in 2017 and that trend will only grow in 2018. Cloud-based sandbox environments guarding your inbox, such as SonicWall Capture ATP, may prove invaluable assets to protecting users. AntiSpam clients can mitigate the dangerous and endlessly irritating deluge of junk mail barraging mail servers. Sophos Intercept X is a powerful next-generation guard against ransomware and is designed to seamlessly supplement whatever hardware or security features you already run.

Your answers to Question 1 will help to develop comprehensive answers for this question. The unique needs of your organization dictate the number and types of security licenses you employ, so make sure to overturn every stone.

Mix and match. Bundle to save money. Test-drive some free trials. Your options are endless!

Question 3: Exactly how hard is configuring a firewall?

You’ve got a shortlist of firewall appliance options. You’ve got a pretty good idea of the licenses and security services you want to employ. Surely you’re nearing the peak of this massif, right? Unfortunately, the most complex step still awaits: configuration.

The infrastructure of your network will need to be diagrammed and implemented. NAT policies and rules must be put in place that instruct your firewall how to respond to various situations and stimuli. You will likely want to segregate the users on your network into smaller, more manageable user groups. Configuration is a complex process that requires plentiful considerations.

Firewalls.com provides some resources to the DIY network builder such as our manufacturer-specific training videos, YouTube tutorial library, and premium support if you get yourself in a pinch. Nonetheless, we still recommend leaving the details of configuration in the hands of a professional.

No matter what brand you roll with, Firewalls.com has in-house engineers dedicated to mastering each system and this is evidenced by a suite of certifications, awards, and reviews Firewalls.com has earned over the last two decades. After all, we are Firewalls-dot-freaking-com, so we’ve done this a time or two! You’re a small business owner who still has a lot of ground to cover. Why not consider having our expert team do the configuration for you while you get a head start on the next summit?

An Even Easier Option for the Small Business Owner

If you’ve asked yourself all three of these questions and feel empowered to secure your own network, congratulations! We’re rooting for you, you cunning small business owner, unafraid to confront new challenges.

If these questions raised some doubt, no problem. There are easier options. Firewall-as-a-Service is the perfect choice for a small business owner looking to deploy a secure network with as little muss and fuss as possible. Think of it like renting security layers: we’ll bring the firewall, the services, the configuration, and the expertise. Just show us where to plug in and we’ll lock down your network, mitigate threats, and minimize network downtime with a convenient, discreet deployment.

R-a-a-S vs F-a-a-S: Matching up certified network engineers against cyber thugs-for-hire

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On July 6, 2017

R-a-a-S vs F-a-a-S: Matching up certified network engineers against cyber thugs-for-hire

faas firewalls managed service professional services raas Ransomware

Imagine you lived in a world where third-party vendors provided criminals with all of the tools and resources needed to successfully rob a bank, all wrapped up in one comprehensive, larcenous service package. Unfortunately, this hypothetical is not too far off from the realities of 2017. Thanks to a rise in what security experts are calling “Ransomeware-as-a-Service,” the bad guys no longer require the skill set necessary to exploit security weaknesses. Lurking in the mire of the dark web, criminals can find R-a-a-S sites ready to sell anything from exploit kits to fully fleshed-out ransomware attacks. Yes, malicious ransomware threats similar to WannaCry and Petya are now for sale and tied up with a nefarious little bow.

Here’s another way to put it: the bad guys are hiring mercenary armies to lay siege on your networks. And this system of force amplification—providing criminals with attack vectors and resources that their budget or repertoire would otherwise disallow—means that the explosive trend of increasing ransomware attacks will only continue. In fact, Sonicwall’s Annual Threat Report indicates that ransomware attacks increased from 3.8 million in 2015 to 638 million in 2016. That is not a 100% increase. That is not a 200% increase. That is a 16000% increase. In one year.

Don’t fear, for you can fight back. Just as the bad guys are hiring out network raiders, you too can reinforce your defenses with outside help. Firewall-as-a-Service or F-a-a-S, is the equal and opposite force created to neutralize any advantages that the bad guys think they have. When you utilize a F-a-a-S, it means that seasoned experts are standing guard at your gateways. F-a-a-S is a service wherein a dedicated team of engineers are employed to monitor your network, prevent and mitigate attacks, and keep your system up to date against emerging threats. Or, to keep with the conceit, F-a-a-S is the private army deployed to defend your data castle.

Top 3 Benefits of F-a-a-S:

F-a-a-S is a true plug-&-play solution. Everything you need from appliances to configuration to support and training is delivered to you

F-a-a-S optimizes productivity with content filtering, bandwidth prioritizing, and upgrade options

F-a-a-S is affordable and convenient with a month-to-month subscription that avoids long-term commitments

Perhaps the best part of F-a-a-S is that you already have everything you need to get started. No firewall? No problem. A professional F-a-a-S team will provide you with the hardware you need to get secure and the training to stay secure.

DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE TO LEARN ABOUT FIREWALL-AS-A-SERVICE