Firewalls for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Firewalls are an important technology for monitoring and filtering incoming or outgoing network traffic, with the ultimate goal of defending against threats and preventing sensitive data leaks.

Businesses and organizations rely on these devices to operate continuously and reliably to protect critical resources from infiltration and to enforce network security policies.

The installation of a firewall allows the enforcement of the company's desired access policy to network resources, particularly by defining the types of traffic allowed or not allowed on the IT network. The firewall filters data flows transiting the network based on several characteristics, such as the origin and destination of packets, options contained in the data, users, and many others.

There are two types of firewalls available on the market: 'client' and 'device' formats. The first is software integrated directly into a terminal machine.

The second type is a firewall connected between your machines or local network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet.

Currently, most computers are equipped with a client firewall software directly integrated into their system, mainly Windows Defender. However, in the case of a company working within a local network (LAN), Wi-Fi routers are not automatically equipped with integrated protection solutions. This is why it is essential to implement a corporate device-type firewall, including its configuration, maintenance, and monitoring to ensure proper execution.

How to Choose the Right Firewall for Your Business

Various cybersecurity reports reveal that 43% of cyberattack victims are small and medium-sized businesses, and among them, 67% have lost important data. Therefore, it is crucial for an SME to properly define their firewall.

To do this, a company must first analyze its structure and objectives by considering various aspects:

• • the number of users and company servers connected to the local network
• • the number of users connecting to the company's website
• • the minimum bandwidth required to ensure optimal usage for the company
• • the type and number of internet connections (fiber, ADSL, VDSL...)
• • the need or not to filter temporary users' Internet access
• • the degree of necessity to ensure service continuity (Internet access, VPN, firewall...)

After answering these questions, the next step is to choose between the different generations of firewalls available on the market, namely: stateless firewalls, stateful firewalls, and the next generation of firewalls.

- the stateless firewall

This is the first generation of device firewalls connected to routers. This type of firewall independently examines each packet and compares its attributes to those listed in the pre-configured security policy. Some disadvantages include the lack of dynamism and filtering offered by this category of firewalls. Additionally, their configuration is a complex task, making this firewall a somewhat outdated solution, although its use remains common in businesses.

- the stateful firewall

Developed a few years after stateless firewalls, this generation of firewalls offers dynamic packet filtering, particularly through its ability to remember the states of previous connections. This allows better intrusion detection and the ability to exclude them from the network. Overall, it ensures better network security. In other words, the firewall checks that a packet is indeed a continuation of a previous packet and a response to a packet in the other direction. Additionally, these firewalls intelligently filter packets that are used for signaling IP flows.

- the next generation firewall (NGFW)

Next-generation firewalls obviously include the various options and capabilities offered by their predecessors, using both static and dynamic packet filtering, VPN support, and the network and port address translation needed for IP address mapping. However, the advantage of NGFWs is their ability to filter packets based on applications. Thus, these firewalls control and visualize the scope of applications using analysis and signature matching. Additionally, unlike most previous generations, next-generation firewalls include a path for receiving future updates.

What is Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)

Businesses across all sectors are facing increasing security threats that can have serious consequences for their operations. Firewalls are one of the most effective ways to protect IT networks from malicious attacks. However, managing and deploying a firewall can be expensive and complex. This is why Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) is an ideal solution for companies that want to benefit from a firewall's advantages without the costs and difficulties associated with its management.

FWaaS is an IT security service that allows companies to benefit from comprehensive protection against malicious attacks. Services are typically provided by managed service providers who handle the deployment, management, and maintenance of firewalls. FWaaS providers also offer additional features such as real-time network monitoring, intrusion detection, and attack prevention.

FWaaS is a cost-effective solution for businesses because it allows them to benefit from the advantages of a firewall without investing in the initial costs and human resources needed to manage it. Additionally, it is an easy-to-implement and manage solution, allowing companies to focus on their core activities while protecting against security threats.

Finally, FWaaS provides businesses with complete protection against malicious attacks. Providers of this service continuously monitor company networks and data to detect and block intrusion attempts. Additionally, FWaaS providers offer regular updates and support services to help businesses manage their firewalls.

In summary, Firewall-as-a-Service is a cost-effective and reliable solution for businesses that want to benefit from the advantages of a firewall without the costs and difficulties associated with its management. At Devantis, we specialize in providing quality services to protect our clients' networks from external threats. We offer a wide range of advanced features to ensure optimal security.

By using our stable and secure network solutions, we can guarantee optimal protection quality at all times. We also provide our clients with advanced reporting tools to monitor the state of their network and ensure high-quality security.

As a trusted service provider, we can provide a flexible and cost-effective security solution that adapts to our clients' needs, regardless of their size or industry. We are convinced that our personalized approach and commitment to quality can make all the difference for our clients.