Smoothwall UTM is a firewall security suite for educational environments. It includes the standard firewall services, as well as load balancing, and has hardware and software deployment options.
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WatchGuard Network Security
Score 9.2 out of 10
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WatchGuard Network Security is a network security and firewall software. WatchGuard includes secure Wi-Fi, multi-factor authentication, and network intelligence products and services designed for SMB’s.
After a year of using the Smoothwall UTM Firewall solution, we can say that it is a secure solution, it offers a graphical interface for configuration and access with easy understanding and usability, the security features and blocking of url and applications work very well and also protects against malware and ransomware. For small and even intermediate scenarios I recommend it, but not for very large scenarios. Licenses can be renewed and are priced very well compared to competitors.
WatchGuard Network Security products are suitable for most situations. From securing small, low-budget VSEs to large enterprises and SMEs.It's just a pity that the firewalls in the M range (M290/M390) don't come with integrated SFP+ modules as standard. Such integration would enable inter-vlan 10Gbps traffic to be managed without the need for additional modules, and at no extra cost.
easy to manage by its web platform that allows quick access to system functions
allows the administration of the company's network by creating IP navigation permissions to prevent access to unprotected pages
this system can be installed on computers with very few resources and even with old equipment just by adapting an additional network card. This is helpful for companies that are starting and do not have much capital to invest but need to protect their systems
Intrusion Prevention: provides an advanced Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that uses real-time threat intelligence to detect and block known and unknown threats. The IPS inspects all network traffic, including encrypted traffic, to identify and block any malicious activity before it can enter the network.
Application Control: offers granular application control that enabled us to control which applications can access the network and how they are used.
Web Content Filtering: provides web content filtering capabilities that allow to control and monitor access to websites based on their content. This helps to prevent employees from accessing inappropriate or malicious websites, which can compromise the security of the network.
For those who would like top level security and deployment of their security and protection, I would recommend easier quicker to use interfaces for users at smaller companies that do not have the experience with the provided services, so they can better utilize and deploy the software/equipment.
Have easy to understand, easy to access tutorials from the web interface to help new users and non IT Professionals to use the services provided.
Streamline the interface more to allow for easier understanding for all users, appealing to others so they feel less intimidated by the interaction with your services goes far, especially with smaller companies who have owners who want to know, have basic understanding of managing it, especially if they do not have an IT Professional or IT Consultant readily on staff. Not every company even knows they need this kind of protection, and trying to explain it to them, with the very technical and unique lexicon of words Information Technology and Security provides does at times prove to be difficult.
I'm giving this note to WatchGuard Network Security due to its ease of daily support (after acquiring necessary knowledge in the solution), which allows agility in configuration changes, its integration of several reliable security features (such as SSL VPN, VPN Virtual Interfaces between companies, and others) and functional and stability in operation, with no downtime in the equipment due to problems or malfunctions
WatchGuard Network Security firewalls have a very convenient way of managing them. Their live logging makes it very easy to quickly monitor traffic and see what's going on and what changes might be needed to be done to get something to work. In most cases, it was the WatchGuard Network Security logging that helped us find an issue when getting the device to work with a competitor's device (i.e. setting up VPN) because the other side lacked easy-to-understand yet detailed debug information.
For something that is considered business critical they should be far more responsive. Security isn't something to take lightly in today's work environment and so long as its working you are happy. But when it doesn't and you need that professional assistance, they weren't always there and I ultimately resolved my issues with the help of Google.
We participate to a in person training and the three days of learning was really useful and complete to gain skill to solve the major part of the problem we encounter during our life. And more the in person training give us the opportunity to create a network with other WatchGuard partner.
I had my key information for setting up the firewall, and they assisted me in finding the settings and appropriate places to enter data. They also helped troubleshoot when I didn't understand some of their feature concepts, and we got it running.
Smoothwall is a system that is cheaper than just a free license due to being a Linux distribution. Simplewall is a bit more for robust equipment or large networks.
We use SonicWall TZ boxes in our small branch offices for their simplicity and low cost and Watchguard in our larger head office due to its scalability, we find both products work well together when configuring WAN's using branch office VPN's.
