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WatchGuard Network Security

WatchGuard Network Security

Overview

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.

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Learn from top reviewers

Excellence in one clean red box.

Rating: 9 out of 10
November 21, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
Watchguard keeps all of our offices free of intrusions and offers comprehensive coverage that meets our security needs. It also scales nicely depending on how much coverage we...
Continue reading
WC Mueller
Administrator - Engineering
Senior Systems Engineer
Effex Management Solutions
WatchGuard Network Security5 years of experience

Better then the best!

Rating: 10 out of 10
November 12, 2024
IncentivizedVetted Review
We use WatchGuard Network Security firewalls in our business as well as our clients business to protect the networks. Some of the best features are geolocation which blocks in...
Continue reading
Brian LaDuca
Partner - Other
Owner
Excalibur Miretti Group
WatchGuard Network Security10 years of experience

Watchguard Network Security Review.

Rating: 7 out of 10
August 24, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
My organization uses Watchguard as our main firewall, edge protection, and network management solution. We have Firebox devices deployed at all our business locations, utilizi...
Continue reading
Carlton Vassell, CIPM
Administrator - Information Technology
Systems Administrator
Graven Austin & Drake
WatchGuard Network Security2 years of experience

Exploring Watchdog Network Security: Key Benefits, Limitations, and Ideal Scenarios.

Rating: 10 out of 10
August 13, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
WatchGuard is designed to monitor and detect myriad security threats running in real time in a proactive environment. It monitors network traffic and activities for unexpected...
Continue reading
Chris Serres
Professional - Information Technology
Systems Administrator
ICWUSA, Inc.
WatchGuard Network Security9 years of experience

WatchGuard Network Security Delivers cost effective cybersecurity.

Rating: 9 out of 10
July 13, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
We use WatchGuard Network Security firewalls as an essential cyber security tools which offer a host of management options and allow us to cloud manage our customers security ...
Continue reading
Lee Chamberlin
Technician - Corporate
It Technician
Mayday
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How WatchGuard Network Security Differs From Its Competitors

WatchGuard Partner

Yes, insight. While I wish I could deal directly with Watchguard for everything and just have a single person to contact, we've been very pleased with our account rep at Insight. He's always answered my emails, usually within an hour. They're responsive and have assisted us immensely when we …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

It oozes value; it really is a one-stop solution for almost all of our security issues; plus, it's been rock solid with handling intrusions; I honestly sleep better at night knowing that Watchguard has my back. Plus when I needed support I talked to two different guys, the first was all business, …
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WatchGuard Cloud

It's comprehensive and really has done a consistently good job at keeping our company and our data safe. Plus it's flexible enough to work with older technology like time clocks that require static IP's, it's really been a workhorse and a valued part of our team here.
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

WatchGuard provides Centralized Management (single interface) to manage various defense mechanisms such as the firewall, VPN, Wi-Fi, etc. This reduces costs by not having to manage multiple vendors and systems, which gives a more predictable budget and potential savings on integration and support …
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WatchGuard Cloud

WatchGuard has provided significant value through streamlined management, enhanced visibility, improved efficiency, reduced downtime and maintenance efforts, and fewer disruptions to operations.
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WatchGuard Partner

Blue ally is our partner for WatchGuard Network Security sales and we are extremely pleased with our reps and their service. We would recommend them to any one looking for a partner. Their attention to detail and knowledge of the ever changing market is top notch.
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WatchGuard Cloud

The WatchGuard Network Security cloud products are so easy to use and implement into our clients work places. They worked better then we had expected them to and we were quite afraid of losing some of the security of having these directly onsite, but WatchGuard Network Security has some of the …
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WatchGuard Cloud

We use a WatchGuard to protect our network in the office and the sites of our customers. Using the WatchGuard cloud allows us to not be limited geographically to support our customers. If our staff are disposed in one part of the country then they are able to manage a network hundreds of miles …
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WatchGuard Partner

We worked with CCSMedia who guided us through the process, we were happy with the service provided but felt the recommend devices where far too powerful for what we actually needed per office so every device recommended was actually downgraded to the lower tier and this still gives us more than …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

Having the platform gives us visibility and control in a far quicker and more efficient manner, but most of all, it gives us confidence in the security and products we now have. This is on top of the time saving and ability for less network technical IT staff to gain a better understand of how the …
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WatchGuard Cloud

The products work well for us given the ease of use and our cloud based network allowing us to give users access to services without having to deal with the server load and security that can also come with large server environments, giving us additional options in the base product to also add …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

Its important that WatchGuard Network Security supports platforms from which you can manage security products and solutions generally and centralized. It helps us to increase our productivity and it is useful because we manage faster our devices and services
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WatchGuard Cloud

Utilizing WatchGuard Cloud products together had immense impact in our company, as we can now manage security products and solutions generally and centralized. It helps us to increase our productivity and it is useful because we manage faster our devices and services. Also troubleshooting is now …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

We haven't noticed value other than being secure. There message has gotten muddy recently with the acquisition of Panda and trying to merge everything into a unified system. They unified web platform still isn't great as the product names and renaming is very confusing. You need a really good …
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WatchGuard Cloud

Remote, scheduled firewall firmware updates are a breeze now. Remote logs are nice, but we use their Dimension product. We can't transition our firewall configs to the cloud as not all features are supported and there is no migration process. Its a wipe and start new style migration, if you can …
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WatchGuard Network Security Partner

We work with eMazzanti on all our WatchGuard purchases. I can't express enough how great they have been. They take all our questions, big and small, and get answers to them. They don't care if you are a small customer or a huge customer, all are treated as important. They will bring in WatchGuard …
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WatchGuard Partner

We worked with [...] at SytaxInc.com. [...] makes the process simple. We have not problems identifying the security suites and hardware we have needed. He has also been exceptional at providing us all of our options. When we initially purchased and on each renewal, we were confident we were …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

Central management is crucial to us. WatchGuard Network Security's functionality here is impertaive in managing multiple locations. The interface makes it easier to ensure you are applying updates to the correct instance. It also makes it much easier to ensure that settings are applied in the same …
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WatchGuard Cloud

WatchGuard Network Security has proven effective at thwarting external attacks, securing our internal environment, and helped us maintain PCI compliance as well. Honestly, I would have to say that we have gotten more out of the security suite than we expected. It is still not uncommon for us to …
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WatchGuard Partner

We work with Axido and they are amazingly perfect, and professional from the beginning to the end, even after the end. :-) It's a trusting relationship where we never get disappointed, they always do their best to satisfy our demands and in the end, how they work with us gives Watchguard a very …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

If the solution is on-premise go for it, if it's cloud-based, not with me. It greatly depends on what type of device, where they were implemented, on what perimeter, country, etc. For heavily sensible machines, I use WSM (dedicated management interface) on-premise, it's perfect to manage all my …
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WatchGuard Cloud

I use it only for what is used by us as a "roaming device". For example, NV5 which goes from site to site for a short period of time is easy to manage through Watchguard Cloud with rapid deployment. You prepare the configuration suited for the site and voilà, as soon as the box is connected it …
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WatchGuard Partner

We purchase our devices and maintenance renewals through guardsite which is owned by BlueAlly. We've been happy with BlueAlly and Virtual Graffiti, Inc before them.
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

WatchGuard Network Security offers a central management system which is very beneficial to MSPs and Large enterprises. For Small and Medium companies, there web UI is all you need to manage one or two devices and is less complicated than their management system.
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WatchGuard Partner

We work with CIO Now and NextLevelTech. I am not sure if either of them are partners but I have been quite happy with what they are able to provide for us and their ability to help when needed as well.
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

WatchGuard cloud management has been a game changer. It has been great to be able to manage assets from one unified platform rather than needing to connect to separate sites. Even if I'm not physically driving to a location, cloud management is superior to remote or VPN connections.
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WatchGuard Cloud

WatchGuard Cloud is fantastic. We love being able to provision, manage, and configure our products and services from a central location. This reduces significant time and effort spent traveling to different physical locations.
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WatchGuard Partner

We have always just sourced our purchases based on price. We are not in need of support from our vendors. Basically, we do our own need assessment and then procure bids for hardware only.
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WatchGuard Partner

I am unaware if we worked with a Watchguard partner for purchase because the unit was purchased before my arrival. It was installed and configured by an outside MSP partner who did an OK job setting it up and configuring it, but it was not as secure as it should have been.
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WatchGuard Partner

I did work with a partner on the purchase of my WatchGuard Network Security device but I setup the device using the WatchGuard the website. I then used how to videos and website library PDFs and articles set rules. These were also used to setup VPNs, NAT, and network configuration. I have 2 …
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

Yes, I believe I have mentioned that earlier the WatchGuard Network Security platform has centralized management, Consistent Policies, Integration capabilities. These are all together and easy to understand very intuitive! The enhanced security posture and reduced management overhead has lead to …
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WatchGuard Partner

We worked with SecureTech to purchase and upgrade hardware and renew Total Security software licenses. They are competitive with pricing and efficient in working with us.
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

It's easier to use WatchGuard's unified threat management solution than to contract multiple security vendors who may or may not be compatible with one another. Time and cost savings go hand in hand with a vendor that offers a unified solution. I'd rather work with one provider rather than multiple.
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WatchGuard Cloud

The WatchGuard Cloud products work well together, on their own, or in a quasi-hybrid manner with on-premise devices. The constant updates to cloud-based modules work on their own with little or no manual management.
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WatchGuard Unified Security Platform

The mere fact of having a single management platform for customer equipment offers considerable value which gives the possibility of saving time and work for the technical department. It also has an optimal value for customers who can view and monitor their devices in full autonomy without having …
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WatchGuard Cloud

The integration of the devices in a single administration console and the joint functionality of the individual devices brings a lot of value to the choice of WatchGuard as a security partner
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

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Pricing

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Support

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On Premise
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Basic Security

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On Premise
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Total Security

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On Premise
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Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.watchguard.com/wgrd…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

Tutorial: Get Started with a WatchGuard Firebox

YouTube
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Features

Firewall

A firewall is a filter that stands between a computer or computer network and the Internet. Each firewall can be programmed to keep specific traffic in or out

8.3
Avg 8.4
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Product Details

What is WatchGuard Network Security?

The WatchGuard Firebox family of firewalls offers critical network security solutions for businesses of all types and sizes, including tabletop and 1U rack-mounted appliances to Cloud and virtual firewalls. Firebox appliances deliver critical security services from standard IPS, URL filtering, gateway AV, application control, and antispam, to advanced protections such as file sandboxing, and DNS filtering. High-performance deep packet inspection (DPI) means users can leverage these security services against attacks attempting to hide in encrypted channels like HTTPS. Additionally, every Firebox offers SD-WAN right out of the box for improved network resiliency and performance.

WatchGuard Network Security Features

Firewall Features

  • Supported: Identification Technologies
  • Supported: Visualization Tools
  • Supported: Content Inspection
  • Supported: Policy-based Controls
  • Supported: Active Directory and LDAP
  • Supported: Firewall Management Console
  • Supported: Reporting and Logging
  • Supported: VPN
  • Supported: High Availability
  • Supported: Stateful Inspection
  • Supported: Proxy Server

WatchGuard Network Security Screenshots

Screenshot of WatchGuard Cloud Customizable DashboardScreenshot of Threat Monitoring SummaryScreenshot of Device Security SummaryScreenshot of Automated ReportingScreenshot of User Authentication SummaryScreenshot of Endpoint Protection Summary

WatchGuard Network Security Video

WatchGuard Network Security

WatchGuard Network Security Competitors

WatchGuard Network Security Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows, Linux, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo
Supported CountriesGlobal
Supported LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Japanese

WatchGuard Network Security Downloadables

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Fortinet FortiGate, Sophos SG Firewall Appliances, and Cisco Meraki MX are common alternatives for WatchGuard Network Security.

Reviewers rate VPN highest, with a score of 8.9.

The most common users of WatchGuard Network Security are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

View all alternatives
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Reviews From Top Reviewers

View all reviews
(1-5 of 471)

Excellence in one clean red box.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
November 21, 2024
WM
WC Mueller
Senior Systems Engineer
Effex Management Solutions (Staffing & Recruiting, 5001-10,000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
WatchGuard Network Security
5 years of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
Watchguard keeps all of our offices free of intrusions and offers comprehensive coverage that meets our security needs. It also scales nicely depending on how much coverage we need, and they offer quality, reliable products that simply work. We've been nothing but pleased customers for over a decade.
Pros
  • Geoblocking
  • Blocking hacker's IP.
  • Network monitoring solutions.
  • SMTP policy.
  • Stable connections to other WatchGuard units.
Cons
  • UI
  • Usability
  • Documentation
Likelihood to Recommend
WatchGuard is a perfect solution for small to medium-level businesses, and I'm sure they have both hardware and software that scales to larger firms, too. They stay ahead of the curve with intrusions and botnet invasions and do a fine job of keeping our units updated and current with the latest virus definitions.

Watchguard Network Security Review.

Rating: 7 out of 10
Incentivized
August 24, 2024
CV
Carlton Vassell, CIPM
Systems Administrator
Graven Austin & Drake (Outsourcing/Offshoring, 51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
WatchGuard Network Security
2 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
My organization uses Watchguard as our main firewall, edge protection, and network management solution. We have Firebox devices deployed at all our business locations, utilizing the branch office VPN features to secure network traffic routing. We also employ traffic analysis features to monitor network security. Watchguard is easily configurable, and the support is responsive.
Pros
  • Traffic analysis.
  • Branch Office VPN.
  • Network routing.
Cons
  • Sometimes, it is not very intuitive. You'll not know how to use certain features unless you read the documentation.
  • Some settings in the firebox are not visible unless you enter edit mode. This can cause inadvertent issues if you make a change when you just want to review the settings.
  • The use of blocks in the design of the Firewatch interface can be confusing. A better design could have been used.
Likelihood to Recommend
It is very suited for small to medium businesses as the price is affordable. The ability to modularly add options and subscriptions based on your budget or need makes the WatchGuard an excellent choice. Updates to the firmware are easy to perform, and I've never had a problem with an update. This makes it ideal in scenarios where you can schedule an update after hours and be sure it will work without having to set up sandbox or development environments.

Exploring Watchdog Network Security: Key Benefits, Limitations, and Ideal Scenarios.

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
August 13, 2024
CS
Chris Serres
Systems Administrator
ICWUSA, Inc. (Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
WatchGuard Network Security
9 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
WatchGuard is designed to monitor and detect myriad security threats running in real time in a proactive environment. It monitors network traffic and activities for unexpected behavior and responds to potential security threats, such as intrusion detection. It will stop an attack before it causes harm to your network, providing real-time alerts that allow for quick mitigation of said threats.
Pros
  • Intrusion Detection.
  • Logging and Reporting.
  • Real-Time Alerting.
  • Automation of Patch Management.
Cons
  • Having built in MFA is a necessity, not some 3rd party work-around.
  • Monitoring network traffic is very resource intensive.
  • WatchGuard systems need to be updated regularly.
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited for small to medium-sized businesses without a robust IT staff; remote and branch office networks require consistent security policies. Less suited for Large enterprises with scalability requirements in high-performance environments requiring forensics.

Better then the best!

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
November 12, 2024
BL
Brian LaDuca
Owner
Excalibur Miretti Group (Machinery, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
10 years of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use WatchGuard Network Security firewalls in our business as well as our clients business to protect the networks. Some of the best features are geolocation which blocks intrusions from other countries and specific ip address schemes. The ease of use and understanding within the device helps us maintain a clean environment. We have anti phishing options firewall policies and so much more to help us run a clean network. We would recommend WatchGuard Network Security and their A1 support to anyone.
Pros
  • Ant phising
  • Geolocation
  • Forwarding rules
Cons
  • Software update for easier finding of options
  • SSL vpn multi factor options
  • AI
Likelihood to Recommend
I just love the ease of use and navigation and the ability to implement rules without navigating to 10 different locations within the platform like some other competitors. We can securely and safely monitor and manage networks with included and added features.

WatchGuard Network Security Delivers cost effective cybersecurity.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
July 13, 2024
LC
Lee Chamberlin
It Technician
Mayday (Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use WatchGuard Network Security firewalls as an essential cyber security tools which offer a host of management options and allow us to cloud manage our customers security policies without the need for direct access to their network.
Pros
  • Built in cyber security out of the box
  • Cloud management
  • Online resource for troubleshooting
Cons
  • WatchGuard Network Security cloud interface can be muddled/confusing
  • Activity lights on the ports at rear of device
  • Augmented reality to show live port breakdown
Likelihood to Recommend
WatchGuard Network Security work well in many scenarios where a business or organisation needs more security than your basic router can provide. Also where the ability to create multiple vlans for customers and guests. A WatchGuard may not be needed for your average consumer as they will only need one network and the extended security features may be overkill for their needs.
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