Choosing the Right Firewall for Your Business!
With so many options flooding the market, navigating through the choices of what firewall to purchase can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll take a look into some of the leading firewall brands, including DrayTek, Cisco, SonicWall, WatchGuard, Sophos, and Unifi to help you make a tailored decision for your business needs.
Contents:
Dreytek
Cisco
SonicWall and watch guard
Sophos
Unifi
Choosing the best fit
DrayTek:
DrayTek is a popular choice and for a good reason. Smaller businesses tend to use this due to its friendly interface and robust security features. Unlike some other brands, DrayTek offers simplicity without compromising on security. With DrayTek, businesses can efficiently manage their firewall without the need for extensive certifications or highly specialized engineers. This makes it a great option for businesses prioritizing ease of use and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing security.
Cisco:
Cisco is a well-established name in the networking industry mostly known for its high-performance solutions. However, managing a Cisco firewall requires specialized expertise and certification, which can be costly and time-consuming. While Cisco offers advanced features and capabilities, its complexity may not be necessary for all businesses, especially those seeking a more straightforward solution. For many companies, the complexity of Cisco’s systems may outweigh the benefits, swaying businesses to look for a less complex firewall.
SonicWall and WatchGuard:
SonicWall and WatchGuard are two other contenders in the firewall market, offering a range of practical features designed to enhance security and efficiency. Both brands provide built-in SSL VPN functionality, allowing remote access for employees while maintaining robust security protocols. Another great feature of these is temperature monitoring using USB thermometers and email alerts for overheating incidents adding an extra layer of protection, particularly concerning fire safety. ( This can also be implemented with Draytek.)
Sophos:
Sophos firewalls are very similar to WatchGuard or SonicWall however Sophos is a better option for any small or medium businesses looking for maximum security with active threat prevention, and encrypted traffic with built-in intelligence removing any blind spots in your protection. Sophos pricing ranges depending on the service you are looking to get but as a whole Sophos is mostly in the mid-range for their firewall costs.
Unifi:
Unifi firewalls are great for price, especially in a competitive market. When it comes to the setup process, Unifi firewalls are very user-friendly compared to Sophos or Cisco. Especially with new users who have no experience with the traditional setup process which makes it a good option for a first-time purchase so that you can get to know the setup process and become more equipped in the future. Unifi Firewalls however are only good if you are an SME (small-medium enterprise)and not recommended for larger organisations.
Choosing the Best Fit:
While each brand has its strengths and unique features, it ultimately boils down to finding the best fit for your business requirements. Factors such as ease of management, cost-effectiveness, compliance, number of users, and VPN capability play a significant role in the decision-making process. For many businesses, DrayTek comes forward as the top recommendation due to its balance of simplicity, security, and compliance capabilities. With DrayTek, businesses can confidently secure their networks while streamlining management tasks and minimizing overhead costs. For more in-depth advice about choosing the best firewall for your business one of our directors would be happy to have a chat with you and recommend the best option for your business IT infrastructure. If you would like a more in-depth video guide about choosing the best firewall for your business make sure to check out our YouTube video.