Network security appliances

I don’t know about other companies that you have mentioned, however I am using a product offered by WatchGurad i.e. network security appliance. It protects my network very well from various web threats.

http://www.watchguard.com/products/xtm-main.asp

Cisco ASA all the way. Industry standard for hardware security appliances.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Starts out with these little guys and goes all the way up to 1U enterprise firewalls.

Allow me to say, however, that a Cisco ASA is NOT something that you just plug into your network and forget about. It needs to be configured properly which should only be done by a CCNA/CCNP certified professional. A network of 70 computers would justify this cost. Whatever you do, don't be cheap. The worst thing you can do is buy a cheap firewall and wind up having your entire network penetrated. The other hardware firewalls are cheaper and easier to setup, but I guarantee you they're not nearly as good.

I am a firewall guy by profession for 12 years and have managed various networks from small to enterprise. With a 70 people, I can recommend two fws , choose the one which fits you.


1. Cisco PIX or ASA - This fw requires an experienced guy to manage as someone said, CCNP or CCSP. However this is the fw with minimum issues.

2. Checkpoint - So simple, that even you can manage it ( I assume you are a business person) after reading its manual carefully.

I personally prefer Checkpoint over CISCO for firewalls as the basic fundamental rule for security for me is..

"Security is Simplicity"