Item: WatchGuard Network Security
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use WatchGuard Network Security to protect our entire company. We also use it to protect our clients. It gives us a comprehensive security solution and is easy to manage and deploy. There are appliances for every client size and need. We can add and remove the necessary services to custom tailor our security solutions. We can secure the perimeter as well as end-points to reduce the attack surface.

Pros and Cons

Detection and blocking of bad actors attempting to hack into the network.
Inspection of traffic to ensure only valid inbound and outbound traffic
Integrated MFA to ensure only the right people access the network.

Better central console to manage client networks.
Faster deployment options via templates stored in the cloud.

Return on Investment

We are able to focus on business and not overly worry about security.
We can provide cost effective security solutions for our clients and still make money on them.
Gives us a comprehensive stack of security solutions from one vendor—easier to manage.

WatchGuard Network Security Partner

We are a partner so we implement solutions ourselves. We are able to reply on our WatchGuard partner training as well as get assistance from Watchguard technical support if we have any pre-sales questions or assistance with scaling a solution. As well, if we have any issues we need help with once the solution is implemented, Watchguard technical support is fast, responsive and knowledgeable.

Usability

Once you have had some technical training, the product is fairly easy to use. It's not for beginners and you can make implementation mistakes and poor policies leading to security risks if you are not careful. There is no "config checker" to review your designs and tell you where there are security holes—this feature or service would make it a more complete solution and give us more peace of mind.

Implementation Rating

You need to be care of your policy and security implementation design decisions to avoid leaving security holes. The wizards don't give guidance when your config decision may leave security weaknesses.There is no security config checker to ensure you have made the right decisions so you will need to double check this yourself.

WatchGuard Network Security Packaging and Licensing

This simplified packaging and licensing makes it easy to implement basic security since all you need is included. More complex configs can be obtained through the use of the various add-ons and upgrades. Removing the many individual part numbers and options and replacing with bundles makes the purchasing decision easier and forces you to implement a proper security solution from the beginning.

Alternatives Considered

We were a Cisco and Meraki firewall and wireless solutions partner for many years. While their products were very good, they required a very high level of training support to properly implement. As well, the cost to acquire and continue to license these products was very high. They seemed to appeal just to enterprise corporations and were not suitable for small and mid-sized business.

Likelihood to Recommend

Best for small and medium-sized businesses up to 500 employees. Can be managed by an IT partner so the end-users don't need to be IT security specialists. Also, is a great solution for branch offices because the services can talk to each other and be centrally managed that way. Provides one access method for the whole company.

WatchGuard Security Solutions are ideal for your business!

Overall Satisfaction with WatchGuard Network Security