Item: WatchGuard Network Security
Rating: 8
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We have ran Watchguard firewalls in our business for years and when paired with the Total Security solution have found them to offer a very cost effective, user friendly and powerful tool that forms the backbone of our network security.

Pros and Cons

packet filtering and inspection
reporting and visibility
Malware protection
mfa/user authentication

Web Blocker can be difficult to administer and troubleshoot, can cause parts of websites to not function if not configured correctly. eg forms, pop-ups, redirects etc.
The documentation could be more user friendly, it is sometimes difficult to find certain information and the manuals can send you around in circles sometimes.

Return on Investment

Great functionality when you take up the subscription services.
Good total cost of ownership and upgrade paths
Very scalable solution

WatchGuard Network Security Partner

When we trade in the firewall for the newer model we will also take out the added implementation service. This allows the current config to be backed up, checked for best practice/inconsistencies and rebuilt on the new device. This is always carried out efficiently and allows us to plug and play when migrating devices. Much reccomended.

Implementation Rating

Very satisfied, it is carried out by Watchguard experts who can walk you through the features and discuss best practice.

WatchGuard Network Security Packaging and Licensing

The single license model helps to keep things simple, easy to apply and makes quoting/renewals straight forward as you dont need to compare multiple offerings like with some products.

Alternatives Considered

SonicWall TZ

We use SonicWall TZ boxes in our small branch offices for their simplicity and low cost and Watchguard in our larger head office due to its scalability, we find both products work well together when configuring WAN's using branch office VPN's.

Other Software Used

SOLIDWORKS, SonicWall TZ, Microsoft Dynamics 365

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

Great product, allows us to create secure site to site vpn's where users authenticate with mfa via the Authpoint app. User security can be defined in AD groups and are authenticated via single sign on. Gives good overall visibility of the network via logs and reports.
The intital set up/config is a more involved process than with the TZ SonicWalls, so far small office setups it may not be the best option, however it does scale up extremely well into the mid size market.

Great features, scalable, cost effective solution.

Overall Satisfaction with WatchGuard Network Security