Item: WatchGuard AuthPoint
Rating: 8
Author: Clint Freeman

Overall Satisfaction with WatchGuard AuthPoint

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are still very happy with our WatchGuard AuthPoint vpn. We have five very active users on it and it works very well for these users. My WatchGuard AuthPoint is managed by my IT vendor, but it works very well for our staff when they must work remotely and securely. Rather seamless once set up properly.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Secure VPN access.
Two-factor authnetication
Updates are not frustrating and while not invisible, not disruptive.

Cons

Could improve on reporting what kind of error is happening when login is wrong or account is having trouble with database, etc.

Return on Investment

It keeps me from having another network appliance to manage and patch when it is integrated into my firewall.

Outcomes

It keeps us from managing another set of passwords like we had to do with other solutions. The two-factor authentication allows us to feel safe, and the fact it works with our Windows Server for credentials keeps my life simpler for managing users. The security has been very good for us and keeps our peace of mind.

TCO

I really do save time not having multiple vendors and appliances to manage, patch and reset users on. The two-factor authentication app gives us another level of security and peace of mind that a laptop in the wrong users hands cannot get into the DMZ and cause havoc.

Alternatives Considered

I really like the ease of use of the WatchGuard AuthPoint and it has been a good move when our previous VPN appliance went out of support. Working with and using the WatchGuard AuthPoint has been a very easy transition and great improvement over the Sonicwall we previously used. Especially on the speed front.

Key Insights

Do you think WatchGuard AuthPoint delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with WatchGuard AuthPoint's feature set?

Yes

Did WatchGuard AuthPoint live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of WatchGuard AuthPoint go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy WatchGuard AuthPoint again?

Yes

Other Software Used

LogMeIn Resolve

Likelihood to Recommend

It is very well suited when it is integrated in your firewall. I've had Dell solutions before that were stand-alone units and I do like that this is a feature of my Firebox firewall hardware. I don't have any of the lag or slowness I experience regularly on the old Sonicwall VPN solution.

Using WatchGuard AuthPoint

Users and Roles

6 - Our primary use is for secure remote work that requires access to assets within the laboratory. Our IT staff find it a very smooth VPN covered to others that have been used. It does include its own two factor app to run on a mobile device that works very well.

Support Headcount Required

1 - We outsource a lot of our IT services with MIS Solutions in Atlanta. As far as in house support, it is really only managed by the IT manager. Due to our agreement with IT services and the rules around our sophos firewall, most of the management does fall on our IT service provider.

Business Processes Supported

Remote access for programers
Remote access for lab technicians
Remote access for administration to monitor the lab.
That was 3.

Innovative Uses

We have been able to lock down things better by removing other remote access applications
Having one secure access pathway is a big piece of mind.
The two factor app is a good resource.

Future Planned Uses

We might expand the amount of users.

Likelihood to Renew

It has been a great VPN. I really do think that it is better than all the other VPN services I've used in the past (like Dell sonicwall). The Watchguard integrates very well with our firewall and active directory.

Evaluating WatchGuard AuthPoint and Competitors

Products Replaced

Yes - We replaced a Dell sonicwall standalone device for this one. The watchguard integrates into our firewall and saved on rack space as well as making everything very seemless. The two factor authenticator app is a great step up in security from what we were using.

Key Differentiators

Integration with Other Systems
Ease of Use

The fact that we added this to our firewall and did not have to maintain another whole appliance in our server room. So ease of use was the primary driving factor. The fact it integrated with our firewall and active directory made it ever better.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

I relied heavily on my IT provider, but if it had to choose again, I'd probably check out Trustradius for more information. I might have tested a device but because it came so highly recommended for intergration and ease of use, I didn't do all of that in my decision process.

WatchGuard AuthPoint Implementation

Implementation Rating

I really wasn't involved in the implemetation beyond coaching my staff to setup the AuthPoint mobile apps.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Third-party professional services

My IT provider handled the integration. It seemlessly works with our firewall and active directory. I really feel like it isn't very difficult for them to setup and maintain.

Implementation Phases

Change Management Lessons

Change management was minimal - Moving to AuthPoint made all of our VPN needs very efficient and was a huge improvement over the self-managed units we used in the past.

Implementation Issues

Renewal of licenses tends to have a hiccup each year needing some restarts of the appliacne.

WatchGuard AuthPoint Support

WatchGuard AuthPoint Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
None	None

Premium Support

No, my IT company manages support and contact with WatchGuard.

Support Rating

Never had direct support needs.

Bug Resolution

Using WatchGuard AuthPoint

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Two factor authentication
access once connected is seamless

Difficult Tasks

Adding a new user does require a few steps with the 2-factor token

Usability

I think this is the perfect solution for our organization. Enough security to provide us comfort and peace of mind. I do think that the hastle of setting up the app for two factor is greatly outwieghed by ease of use after that hurdle.

Integrating WatchGuard AuthPoint

Ease of Integration

Systems Integrated With

Windows active directory

The IT company managed the integrations and it has been wonderful to have these integrated. Saves so much hassle.

Comments

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