Item: WatchGuard Network Security
Rating: 10
Author: Chris Webb

Overall Satisfaction with WatchGuard Network Security

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are currently using WatchGuard Network Security across most of our client base for an improved level of network security and threat visibility. We require networks in various locations to be accessible to each other through the use of WatchGuard's site-to-site VPN. While also allowing staff to work remotely during the pandemic, using WatchGuard Network Security appliances has allowed for a seamless transition from working office-based to WFH in a secure way.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Application control.
BoVPN.
Threat protection.
Securing remote workers.
Reporting.
Support.
Mobile VPN.

Cons

Readability of logs locally.
Web UI could be more intuitive for users used to WSM.

Return on Investment

WatchGuard has allowed us to really move forward when it comes to external contributions from 3rd Parties via BoVPN which was previously restricted by the equipment we were using. The ROI has been positive both financially and from a customer's point of view, utilising the discount from being a partner, and the improved level of security and support offered to clients.

WatchGuard Network Security Partner

We signed up as a partner direct with Watchguard while working with Purdicom, and continue to use them for purchasing. The signup process has been smooth and the support received has been very straightforward and at a high level. The ability to call support as a partner and get on the fly assistance on per-client setups is great, rather than just being there for hardware support, etc.

Implementation Rating

The implementation of WatchGuard to our networks has gone extremely well, with very little issues arising. 9 times out of 10 the implementation is done as part of a replacement of another vendor's kit. We are yet to come across something that is not possible to move from that vendors's equipment to WatchGuard showing the range of availability with WatchGuard setups.

WatchGuard Network Security Packaging and Licensing

The only downside to the WatchGuard package license is the cost if parts of the license are not being used. For example, if a client was to want the Threat Protection but never wants any reports on the back of it, it would be nice to untick that as an option, and in turn be charged a bit less for the license, a saving that could be passed on to the client for a feature they have no use for.

Alternatives Considered

Cisco Meraki MX

WatchGuard provides a much more comprehensive list of features compared to Meraki which was previously the go-to vendor. Improving network security tenfold for our clients.

Key Insights

Do you think WatchGuard Network Security delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with WatchGuard Network Security's feature set?

Yes

Did WatchGuard Network Security live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of WatchGuard Network Security go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy WatchGuard Network Security again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

Before starting in this role, the company was using Cisco Meraki which was very unreliable when it came to site-to-site VPNs, getting them connected (especially to AWS) proved very troublesome and lacking features. When asked for an opinion on a replacement, I recommended WatchGuard for the ease of use for BoVPN and the VPN keep-alive compatibility, since then WatchGuard has become the new standard for our Clients and it works great.

WatchGuard Network Security Feature Ratings

Comments

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