WatchGuard Network Security

Score8.9 out of 10

1,019 Reviews and Ratings

What is WatchGuard Network Security?

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.

Categories & Use Cases

Media

Screenshot of WatchGuard Cloud Customizable Dashboard

Screenshot of User Authentication Summary

Screenshot of Endpoint Protection Summary

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Screenshot of WatchGuard Cloud Customizable Dashboard

Policy-based Controls
Firewall policy controls enable administrators to create firewall policies controlling what data is allowed to traverse the firewall
Category average: 8.6
Active Directory and LDAP
Integration with Active Directory and LDAP directories
Category average: 8.5
VPN
VPN's implement encryption and anonymize IP addresses
Category average: 8.9

Proxy Server
A proxy server changes your IP address and masks the origin of your network traffic
Category average: 8
Visualization Tools
Visualization tools present administrators with data on applications traversing the network, who is using them, and the potential security impact.
Category average: 7.6
Reporting and Logging
Custom and summary reports, and log files enabling analysis of security incidents, application usage and traffic patterns
Category average: 7.3

Most Frequent Users

Top 3 industries using WatchGuard Network Security.

Based on HG Insights installation data

View all Reviews

#1 most frequent

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

23.5%

524 installations of 2,228

“They work well together when we do have them in the same environment.”
— Professional Services Solutions Architect, SkyTide Group (Small Businesses)

#2 most frequent

Information

8.8%

197 installations of 2,228

#3 most frequent

Manufacturing

8.6%

191 installations of 2,228

Pros

Robust and easy-to-configure VPN capabilities for secure remote access.
Simplified management interface for firewall rules and network address translation (NAT).
Comprehensive security services, including sandboxing, anti-malware, and intrusion prevention.

Cons

User interface is frequently described as clunky, dated, or less intuitive.
Challenges with complex configurations and inconsistencies between cloud and local management.
Perceived high and complex licensing and renewal costs.

Carlos Alvarez View profile

Information Technology Director in Information Technology at Amatheon Animal Health (51-200 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

WatchGuard's Firebox solution is an excellent choice for small to mid-tier enterprises that are looking to protect their networks from threats. Performance is stable, fast, and consistent and you can configure the Firebox from a central web-based console. The firewall policies configuration is easier than other firewalls. It offers an excellent real-time traffic monitoring system, spam blocking, prevents network intrusion, identifies, and blocks malicious content, controls spam and malicious emails and blocks inappropriate web content. It logs all network activity for reporting and diagnostics and keeps current with emerging threats.

Pros

Blocks as well as identifies malicious content.
Controls malicious emails and spam.
Blocks inappropriate web content.
Prevents network intrusion.

Cons

My Firebox renewal process was hellacious. Albeit an electronic purchase done days ahead of the end date, I did not receive my renewal data in a timely manner. My Firebox was rendered inoperable for a full work day resorting in having to take if offline completely. WatchGuard had to issue a temporary license until they were able to issue the Firebox's permanent license (days later). This situation could have been totally avoided.

Return on Investment

A very cost effective solution that yielded a high ROI. Very happy with the product and services offered at this price point.
The lost work day due to the botched license renewal process hurt product confidence.

Alternatives Considered

Cisco Meraki Dashboard and Fortinet FortiGate

Other Software Used

Bitdefender GravityZone, Contivio.com, Microsoft 365

GILIAN HASS

IT Analyst in Information Technology at Hidro Jet Equipamentos Hidráulicos LTDA (201-500 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use WatchGuard in our company for edge firewall and security of our IT infrastructure. WatchGuard in our organization solves the issue of network security against attacks and external threats, and internal access control management to also prevent access to unwanted destinations, improper downloads, spam, etc. We use the solution in 2 units of the company and we interconnect the 2 with the WatchGuard VPN solution and it works perfectly. Watchguard possui uma interface prática para gerenciamento e configurações de políticas de segurança. Seu módulo de controle de aplicativos é muito funcional e de fácil gerenciamento, possibilitando recursos como: controle de banda para um aplicativo específico, apenas acesso e não transferencia, para determinados tipos de aplicativos, muito prático.

Pros

Control of web access of devices within the network.
Automatic address blocking after successive external attack attempts.
VPN feature between WatchGuard devices very transparent and stable.
Simple and very functional Policy Manager management console.
Simple and reliable spamBlocker feature, really holding back suspicious emails.
App control for managing which applications are accessed is very functional.

Cons

The mobile security part could be part of the package, without being purchased separately.
WatchGuard Mobile VPN client could have a smartphone version as well, not just Windows/Mac.
Management Server feature could be more affordable to manage devices seamlessly.

Return on Investment

Greater security of our IT infrastructure, allowing business continuity.
WatchGuard Mobile VPN that allows anytime access and remote work.
Internal content control, allowing you to limit access to work content only.

Alternatives Considered

pfSense and Sophos Firewall

Other Software Used

Watchguard Endpoint Security, Veeam Data Platform, Panda Patch Management

Yolanda Garcia

Ventas in Sales at Next Genesis (1-10 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

WatchGuard Network Security (primarily through its Firebox firewalls and the WatchGuard Cloud platform) serves as the backbone of perimeter protection, secure interconnection, and traffic visibility within an organization. Fragmented management and high operating costs (IT overhead): Instead of maintaining disparate solutions for web filtering, perimeter antivirus, intrusion prevention, and VPNs from multiple vendors, WatchGuard consolidates everything into its Unified Security Platform®, managed from a single, centralized, cloud-based console.

Pros

Proxy-oriented policies with granular layered control
Centralized management and multi-tenant experience for MSPs
Simplicity and robustness in site-to-site VPN tunnels (BOVPN)
Comprehensive security packaging and validation with APT Blocker
Administration in a single centralized console in the cloud.

Cons

Dependence on Windows desktop software
Competitive pricing for WatchGuard Endpoint Security.
Response times for support cases with Customer Care.
SD-WAN capabilities and advanced dynamic routing
Lack of modularity in combined objects

Return on Investment

Cost consolidation and TCO reduction
Savings in IT administration man-hours
Return on risk mitigation (Cyber resilience)
Simplified compliance and auditing
Agile enablement of hybrid work

Alternatives Considered

Sophos XG Firewall

Other Software Used

Sophos Firewall

Jesús Espinosa

Tecnico in Professional Services at adv informatica (1-10 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

WatchGuard perfectly handles enterprise-grade network defense for corporate networks. It is a top-notch tool. Its implementation is not complex at all. I recommend it to any company looking to take a step forward in security. My experience with the product over the years has been excellent, and the brand's support has always met my expectations.

Pros

protection
Segmentation
implementation

Cons

SSO implementation

Return on Investment

Greater control and security: companies place more trust in our solutions because they see that our other operations run with robust security—something they appreciate, and which enhances our prestige.

Daniele Capuano View profile

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) in Professional Services at MADLAB di Capuano Daniele (1-10 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use WatchGuard products because they are comprehensive and give me a lot of confidence in the company's security. I use WatchGuard Network Security to ensure that operators who need to access company resources from outside have controlled, appropriately filtered access. In my opinion, the two-factor authentication and user management mode that AuthPoint provides are strong points of WatchGuard Network Security.

Pros

2MFA
Traffic filtering.
Cloud management.

Cons

Endpoint security.
Inventory and license allocation.

Return on Investment

Good margins with significant profit growth
Excellent response to the growing demand for smart working
Buona marginalità con significativa crescita dei profitti
Ottima risposta alla crescente richiesta del lavoro in smart

Other Software Used

ESET PROTECT, QNAP NAS

WatchGuard Network Security

What is WatchGuard Network Security?

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