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Remember your security services

With COVID-19 causing workplaces to shift from on premises to remote, network admins have had their hands full keeping employees connected and secure. We know there are plenty of factors to consider to make that happen. But one consideration that can’t get lost in the shuffle: security services subscriptions. These subscriptions have a shelf life, and if allowed to expire, that may render a lot of the effort to protect workplace data – and offer reliable remote access – moot.

Allow me to explain further. Firewalls – the cornerstone of any secure network – are not fully optimized security machines without a suite of security services to enhance their hardware. Those services can include (but are certainly not limited to):

Advanced Threat Protection
Antivirus
Antispam
Application Control
Content filtering
Data loss prevention
Enhanced management capabilities
Sandboxing
SD-WAN services
Web application firewalling
Web surfing protection
24×7 Technical Support and Updates

This is just a partial list relating to firewalls, with services depending on the manufacturer. But when a security services subscription expires, it could leave your network vulnerable to all of the threats these services address – and leave you out in the cold when it comes to certain networking features you rely on.

What does this have to do with remote employees?

Service subscriptions extend beyond the firewall, with offerings like endpoint protection. This protection is a vital component to a secure remote workforce both to keep data from prying eyes and to offer enhanced visibility into remote devices for network admins. And of course the secure access offered by VPN clients or secure mobile access appliances benefits greatly from active support subscriptions as well. Network security pros can help troubleshoot any of the myriad issues that can arise when most of your employees are connecting remotely.

Additional subscriptions cover a variety of appliances from wireless access points to email gateways to network switches, as well as virtual appliances and other standalone services. Regardless, it’s vital to keep them up to date and renew before they expire to avoid interruptions that can stop your network in its tracks.

How do I know when expiration is nearing?

If you’re a Firewalls.com customer, we’ll send you email notifications starting 90 days from your service expiration date. So even with everything else going on, it’s another reason to keep up with your inbox. If you don’t receive these emails from either us or directly from your service provider, simply visit your manufacturer portal, reach out to your IT consultant, or start a chat on Firewalls.com and we’ll be happy to help too.

How do I renew?

Regardless of where you initially purchased service, this is an easy answer. Go to our Renewals & Licensing locator, choose your product and subscription type, and choose your preferred subscription length. Firewalls.com offers renewals and licensing for SonicWall, Fortinet, Sophos, WatchGuard, Ruckus, Cisco Meraki, and Barracuda.

A few things to keep in mind:

You’ll pay a lower yearly cost and guard against any increases in subscription rates with a longer-term renewal
Some services like Barracuda licenses come in month-to-month terms, while some come in 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 year lengths
If you upgrade to a new firewall, you can migrate your existing service subscriptions with you

If you have a question while you’re on the renewals page, wait for the chat popup, and one of our experts will be happy to assist you. Either way, it’s a quick and easy process, and your term will be extended before you know it. However you choose to renew, just remember, expired services hurt your network’s performance and security, so keep your subscriptions active!

Depending on the length of your previously purchased subscriptions, you may be nearing time to renew licenses for your SonicWall appliance. Renewal time can be a confusing and burdensome period, forcing you to make expensive decisions in a shrinking timeframe. As your deadline for renewal approaches, you may be wondering why you’re paying these recurring costs in the first place. After all, you’re not buying annual renewals for your printer or copy machine, so what’s the deal with firewall renewals?

Why Do Cybersecurity Licenses Need to be Renewed?

There’s a classic thought experiment called the “ship of Theseus.” For those unacquainted, here’s the paradox in a nutshell: as the wooden planks of Theseus’s (an ancient Greek hero) ship slowly rot with age, they are replaced–one at a time—with new planks. If this process continues for years until 100% of the original wooden planks have been scrapped and replaced with new lumber, is Theseus still sailing his original ship or a completely new vessel? This paradox of identity is relevant to how we think of license renewal: the firewall guarding your network today is not the same firewall that you deployed a year ago.

Ransomware, hackers, and malware cocktails are constantly evolving. When the threat actors in Russia call it a day, the hackers in Argentina are just clocking in. Luckily, network engineers and architects all around the globe are working even harder to deny their advances. Because of this never-ending cyber arms race, your firewall receives daily updates with up-to-the-minute strategies, signatures, and solutions for the dark web’s malware du jour. Chances are, the strategies that your firewall used to combat breaches last year are obsolete and have been replaced by more appropriate solutions.

Many people consider firewalls to be the primary powerhouse of network security; however, the physical appliance mounted in your rack (need a rack mount kit?) can be better thought of as a command center from which highly-specialized task forces—your licenses—can effectively deploy. While most firewalls do include some basic security capabilities, their true strength lies in empowering the security services executed through them.

What happens to your firewall if you decide to skip renewal? The same thing that would happen if Theseus decided to never replace the rotten lumber of his famous ship: his boat would go on sailing for a while, slowly gaining larger holes and breaches until it disappeared under the waves, leaving poor Theseus stranded and very salty.

How Do I Find the Correct License for Renewal?

Firewalls.com has worked hard to make this a painless process with our Renewals & Licensing Wizard. The license finder can locate your next renewal in under 30 seconds.

Firewalls.com strongly recommends SonicWall’s Advanced Gateway Security Suite (AGSS), which offers the greatest degree of protection at a fair price point. The SonicWall AGSS bundle arms your network with a comprehensive array of cyberdefenses and, with Capture Advanced Threat Protection, denies even never-seen-before advanced threats.

Still not sure which license best fits your needs? Leave us your name & number. Our team will lend a hand!

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When Do I Need To Renew?

This question is somewhat trickier to answer as it depends on the date you purchased your initial license. Most security providers and resellers offer licenses in 1, 2, or 3-year terms. Organizations that plan ahead can save a ton of money by purchasing licenses in longer 3-year terms. If you can afford

If you’re a Firewalls.com customer, you can relax. Our team will reach out when your license’s expiration date draws near with helpful reminders, tips, and special offers.

Didn’t purchase your appliance from Firewalls.com? We can still show you how to find your service expiration date. Just follow the steps in these screenshots:

Step 1: Navigate to the the “Manage” tab in the top bar.

Step 2: In the left-hand menu, select “Licenses.”

Step 3: Expiration dates for services can be found in the far right column.

Never Want to Worry About Renewal Again?

Psst… hey. We know a little secret that could mean you never have to keep track of expiration dates, service terms, or activation codes ever again. Security As A Service through our partner company, Techvisity, puts our team of expert engineers at the helm of your cyber security defenses, making them responsible for firmware updates, license renewals, and all of the gritty day-to-day particulars of network security. If you’re ready to quit Googling articles about subscriptions and patches, come explore how Security As A Service can improve your security posture while reducing your security budget.

Tag: renew license

Don’t forget to renew your security services