One of the most common things we find when onboarding a new client is that their "firewall" is actually just the router their internet provider installed. These consumer-grade devices provide basic NAT but almost no real security — no intrusion detection, no content filtering, no VPN capability, and no logging.
What a Real Business Firewall Does
- Intrusion Detection/Prevention (IDS/IPS): Monitors network traffic for known attack patterns and blocks them automatically.
- Content filtering: Blocks access to malicious websites, phishing domains, and inappropriate content.
- VPN: Enables secure remote access for employees working from home or traveling.
- Network segmentation: Creates separate zones for different types of traffic — business, guest, IoT, payment systems.
- Logging and reporting: Tracks all traffic for security auditing and troubleshooting.
Our Recommendations
For most small businesses with 5 to 50 users, we typically deploy Fortinet FortiGate or SonicWall appliances. They offer enterprise-grade security at a price point that makes sense for small business. We configure, monitor, and maintain them as part of our managed IT service — firmware updates, rule changes, VPN setup, all handled.
For very small offices (under 10 users), a Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway or Dream Machine Pro can provide solid protection at a lower cost, though with fewer advanced features.
The right firewall depends on your business size, compliance requirements, and budget. We'll assess your needs and recommend the right solution — not oversell you on enterprise hardware you don't need.