By Adam Baker
What are Firewalls?
Firewalls are a last line of protection separating your network from the world network/web. At the most basic level, it should be stopping the traffic that you have not specifically allowed. A modern/layer 7 device will protect you from malicious application level intrusions onto your network. They are smart devices. For example, if you want to look at Facebook, you don’t want to look at the virus that is sitting on Facebook.
Why a Firewall?
A firewall is extremely valuable because your data and your employees’ time is valuable, and it helps to preserve that. It is the best/first line of defense into your company. You lock the door to your office when you aren’t there to keep people from intruding, so you need to lock your network in the same way.
Firewall Recommendation
For a small business, Meraki is the name of the game. It offers excellent features at a great price point for small businesses. Avoid all-in-one options, as wi-fi standards upgrade at different rates. It just adds a different point of failure to the device.
Important Final Facts
Everyone should absolutely have a firewall. Ideally, you are buying it with growth in mind. You want it to last your organization approximately seven years, and you should size it for where you want to be and will be, not where you are today. Otherwise you will be replacing it before you really need to be.
If you’re looking for a firewall expert, that’s what we’re here for.