It takes 196 days for a company to realize that they’ve been a victim of a data breach. That’s just way too long.
Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t have to worry about data breaches at all? By implementing a strong firewall, you can get close to that carefree feeling.
Protecting your company and customers’ data plays a huge role in your reputation. With several different firewall options, you want to know which is the best firewall for small business. Check out our list of reliable firewalls that can keep your data secure.
1. Sophos XG Firewall
Sophos XG is one of the best firewalls because it comes with so many protective layers. With the Sophos XG Firewall, you can block unknown threats like worms, bots, breaches, hacks and more, from infiltrating your network. It also encompasses Deep Learning technology to snag any undetected threats that hide inside payloads.
CryptoGuard Protection and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) prevents malware from slipping onto your network, as well as blocks out potential hackers. You’ll no longer have to be scared of an intrusion–monitor and stay up to date on your network’s health with Sophos XG Firewall.
2. SonicWall TZ Series
After looking at the long list of SonicWall TZ Series’ features, you’ll soon discover that it’s the best hardware firewall for small businesses. It comes loaded with hardware-based and cloud-based anti-spyware, anti-malware, URL filtering, IPS and more.
The SonicWall TZ series also comes equipped with SonicWall’s Global Response Intelligent Defense (GRID) network. This ensures that your defense system stays updated for protection against hackers. The SonicWall TZ series thoroughly scans every pack that goes through ports and protocols no matter what the file size.
Does your business have multiple locations? Not a problem. SonicWall TZ series firewalls offer the same level of protection in remote locations as well.
3. Bitdefender Internet Security
Bitdefender Internet Security isn’t just a firewall, it’s also a computer security system. That’s what makes it such a great choice for small businesses, especially if you’re looking for some additional security benefits.
Even better, you’ll be paying a cheap yearly price that’ll allow you to have features such as file encryption, webcam protection, VPN client software, and much more. Its two-way firewall isn’t to be reckoned with, and neither are any of its other security measures.
4. Endian Firewall
If you’re tight on cash, you should check out Endian Firewall. Endian provides a product for all price ranges. Choose to try a free community firewall or opt for a hardware version instead.
You’ll get the most out of Endian UTM Mini. It’s a fair price for a firewall that comes with detection tools, anti-virus, a VPN, and the ability to integrate add-ons. Plus, you can’t go wrong with hardware that supports 2GB ram, 8GB of storage, and has four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
It’s ideal for businesses consisting of five-25 employees, making it perfect for small business applications like protecting your unified communication system.
5. Cisco Meraki MX
Did you know that data security will help your small business succeed in the future? Read here about how data security affects your business’ future.
The Meraki MX keeps this thought in mind as it utilizes layer 7 traffic classification. Users, applications, and content are recognized with fingerprinting technology. You can even use the Meraki MX to prevent users from doing unproductive activities, like watching Netflix.
The Meraki MX’s IPS system features Sourcefire’s Snort, which is used around the world to keep intruders out of networks. Since this firewall comes with a cloud management platform, you can be reassured that that security threat signatures are constantly updated.
6. OpenWrt
As the name suggests, OpenWrt is another open source firewall. OpenWrt was released in 2004 with limited features. It has since been worked on by many developers to compete with even the best firewall.
Users have said that this completely free firewall performs better than ones you’d purchase from computer security companies. An extensive amount of features, its affordability, and stable qualities make it stand out from typical firewalls.
If you ever run across a problem with OpenWrt, the huge community will have your back. OpenWrt forums are updated daily. You can consult with developers or fellow users that are more than willing to help you solve your technical issues.
7. IPCop
Need some policing for your network? Turn to IPCop.
This firewall is made for small businesses that operate out of a small or home office. The only thing you’ll need is the hardware–the simple download is free.
When you download IPCop, you’ll see various color codes that manage your subnets. Red symbolizes the internet, green refers to your internal trusted network, blue is a wireless subnet, and orange is your DMZ. Although IPCop doesn’t come with the luxury of support, its expansive community makes up for that.
8. Untangle NG Firewall
Untangle NG Firewall can be used in a wide variety of applications. You can choose to download the NG Firewall for free, use it as a virtual machine, run it in the cloud, or even purchase Untangle hardware that has software loaded onto it already.
Large and small businesses with remote locations can both benefit from the NG Firewall. Your users will remain safe with NG Firewall’s ability to block any phishing schemes, malware, and exploits.
What makes it a contestant in the best small business firewall is its incorporation of apps. These apps work just like they would on your smartphone, but they have different functions. Some apps will prevent spam or detect viruses, while others focus on optimizing your network.
Choosing the Best Firewall for Small Business
It can be hard to determine the best firewall for small business, as there are so many features that come along with different firewall devices.
When you choose your firewall, you should start by taking a look at how much security you need. Figuring out how much data your network handles and how sensitive this data is will influence the firewall that you pick.
Now that you’ve found the perfect firewall for your business, how else can you use technology to organize your business? Check out our article on the surprising ways databases can get your team organized.