Firewalls and Network Security

Firewalls

FIREWALL: A firewall's main function is to control who/how/when/why/where someone/something gets in and out of your network.

The firewall is the most important security device and the bases for all Internet Security. Choose and properly install the correct firewall and you will not have to change systems for at least the next 10-15 years. The firewall is truly the base devise for full integration of all other security applications that touch your network. The security of your network and the level of security you will receive will highly depend on which firewall you choose. Choosing a Firewall.

Full Firewall / VPN Diagram

This firewall choice will determine which level of security your network will be protected with reliability, scalability and security in mind. Each level has it own risk and benefits. FrontLine's expertise will match the risks/benefits that your company desires and needs. Our focus will be to present the technical risks/benefits so that you can make the best business decision without being the experts in this field or this technology. We remove the doubt of technical expertise so that intelligent business decision can be made at the correct level of management.

4-levels of Firewalls (1=least - 4=most - reliable, scalable and secure)

Level 1 - Basic firewall usually installed on a router and does basic Packet Filtering of incoming traffic.

Level 2 - Dedicated firewall device does packet Filtering and maybe some state-full Inspection.

Level 3 - Dedicated Firewall device and provides application gateway proxy firewall capabilities.

Level 4 - Dedicated Firewall device that provides a combination of application gateway proxy firewall capabilities and state-full packet filtering capabilities.

Level	Firewall	Reliable	Scalable	Secure	Overall	Overall with MSS
1	Cisco IOS	3	2	2	2.2	2.5
1	Firewall On Router (DSL or Cable)	2	2	2	2	N/A
2	SonicWALL	4	2	3	3	4.5
2	NetScreen	4	2	3	3	4.5
2	Watchguard	3	2	2.5	2.5	N/A
2.5	Cisco Pix	6	4.5	5	4.75	6.5
3	Symantec Raptor	7	6	6.75	6.6	8.6
4	Check Point	7	8.75	7.5	7.75	9.75

1-10 (10 being the highest mark)
Rating changes can depend on hardware platform, configurations and management.

Choosing a Firewall
This decision can have a long-lasting impact on your network today and in the foreseeable future.

To choose the correct firewall is a very difficult thing to accomplish. Many factors have to be taken into consideration. FrontLine has many years of experience in these decisions and understand the factors that are involved. If all factors are not considered the decision could have very negative impact now and in the future.

Some factors to consider: (this is not an exhaustive list - only a sample)

1. Level of security needed
2. Budget
3. Level of Reliability
4. Level of Scalability
5. On-going Management of security solution
6. Consistency of the network
7. The need to grow/expand
8. Business cycle of company purchasing firewall
9. LAN architecture
10. WAN architecture
11. Remote users
12. Remote offices
13. Applications in use
14. Ease of deployment
15. Technical ability of administrators
16. Need to compliance to outside agencies.
17. Sensitivity of data
18. Targeted or non-targeted environment
19. WWW structure
20. Email structure
21. Database structure
22. Business partner considerations
23. E-Commerce considerations
24. EDI Consideration
25. Current and future security requirements.
26. Reliability and uptime necessity
27. Necessity of forensic information

For an experienced and full analysis to choose the correct firewall for you please contact FrontLine Internet Security for a free consultation.

Firewall Products