6 Top Hardware Firewall for Small Businesses

A firewall is any business’s first defender against cyber threats. This security software or device monitors the business’ network traffic to spot any suspicious behaviour that might cause concern. Firewalls monitor both incoming and outgoing connections to and from the organisation. The software’s guidelines for detecting malicious traffic depend on each organisation’s cybersecurity policies.

In numerous articles here, we’ve discussed firewalls as installed software on your device. In this article, we will discuss the other type of firewall, Hardware Firewall, what it means, the difference between it and the software version, and the best hardware firewall for small businesses.

What Is a Hardware Firewall?

A hardware firewall is a protective device that you can plug into your computer, like you plug a portable device, for example. Unlike software firewalls, which you directly install on your device, you plug your network cable into the hardware firewall and then configure it to ensure the server is protected from any threats from the external network. Much like a software firewall, a hardware firewall performs the same job: filtering network activity to detect possibly malicious traffic and take necessary measures in the event of a cyberattack.

How a hardware firewall works depends on your settings, but each sub-type works differently. For example, one type of hardware firewall examines the source and location of data in transit to run it through the hardware’s checklist of permissions. If the data successfully passes this list, the firewall allows it to your device, and vice versa.

What Are the Benefits of a Hardware Firewall?

A hardware firewall has multiple benefits distinguishing it from its peer, software firewall. These benefits include

1. A hardware firewall allows the protection of an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Since the hardware is connected to the server directly, it will protect all devices connected through the same server. Then, it will swiftly filter traffic, making it more useful and economical for businesses.
2. You can configure the settings of a hardware firewall to suit your business’s requirements.
3. Since this firewall is directly connected to your server, it removes any possible load on your devices’ systems and frees up space for better system performance.
4. Hardware firewalls help better allocate IT resources. This means you can regularly update all your devices simultaneously, saving the IT team time for other tasks. This proves more practical for businesses since it will save time and resources and ensure all your business’s devices are simultaneously upgraded.
5. You can’t shut down a hardware firewall’s protection unless you unplug the device from your server. This ensures your business’s devices are protected around the clock and means that any power fluctuations will not affect your system’s protection.
6. A hardware firewall comes with its operating system. This means that in the event of a cyberattack or any malicious factor affecting your device, it might not affect the firewall because its operating system is intact. This also means that some cyberattacks can affect software firewalls but can’t affect hardware firewalls because a software firewall is dependent on, and connected to, your device’s system and affected by it, while a hardware firewall isn’t.

What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Hardware and Software Firewalls?

At first glance, it’s easy to think the jobs of hardware and software firewalls are similar, but there are numerous differences between them. These differences show how each type works differently and even the scope of threats each works against.

1. The first difference between the two types of firewalls is the obvious. A software firewall is an application you install on your device that internally protects your network from malicious connections. A hardware firewall is a device you attach via a cord to your device, and all incoming and outgoing connections pass through this device for checking and authentication.
2. A hardware firewall is a one-time purchase. You plug it into your device, and then you’re ready. However, its counterpart, software firewall, can be free or paid. You’ll likely have to purchase the paid software if you want more features. This purchase fee isn’t high in the short run, but in the long run, it can prove to be costly.
3. The type of firewall you get might depend on your system capabilities and workspace. If your device is running low on system storage, a software firewall might not be suitable since it will take more space from your system. On the other hand, if your workspace is crowded and there might not be room for a physical device, a software firewall might be better than a hardware one, which you might have difficulty adjusting a space for.
4. Both types of firewalls are fairly easy to set up and get running. A software firewall needs a few clicks and customisations, while a hardware firewall requires plugging into the required devices, and then you’re all set up.
5. Regarding software installation and regular security updates, software firewalls come in short. The software has to be installed on every device you need to protect. If any security updates become available for the software, but one of the devices is out of date or doesn’t have the proper system requirements needed for the update, you will need to either manually update that device’s security updates or upgrade the device itself. A hardware firewall prevents all this since it is a plugged-in security device, and all updates can be applied at the same time to ensure smooth coordination inside your business.
6. A hardware firewall doesn’t affect your system’s performance; it’s an external device and doesn’t need your system’s resources to work. On the other hand, a software firewall requires your system’s CPU and memory resources to work, which can put significant pressure on your system. If your device is rather old, this can cause a problem, slowing the device down significantly.
7. If your device is under a cyberattack, a software firewall might be unable to stop all threats from infecting your system. Normally, if one folder of your system is infected, it’s a matter of time before your entire system is infected. With a hardware firewall, there’s a physical shield between the network and your computer. No malicious factor or threatening traffic can pass through and infect your device.

What Is a Router? Can You Configure Your Router to Act as a Firewall?

A router is a networking device that helps transfer data between networks of connected devices and the global internet network. You can’t configure your router to act as a firewall because it isn’t this device’s main function. However, there are several instances where routers provide an extra layer of protection for your system. We emphasise that even if you benefit from this extra layer, you must use the router beside an actual firewall on your device, whether a software firewall or a hardware one.

Since a router works on rerouting data, it cannot reroute data that doesn’t have a designated destination. The device then scatters this data on the Internet, preventing any harmful bits of data from reaching your device. You can configure your router to prevent outgoing data, which prevents your device from leaking sensitive data.

Despite these two previous features, routers can’t prevent malicious traffic from reaching your device. This is because routers transfer data to your device by request, meaning if you request data from a malicious website, the router will reroute this data to your device. Hence, you’ll be subject to a cyberattack. This differs from a firewall’s job because firewalls prevent malicious data from reaching your device, even if you’re the one who requested it.  

Which Is Better, Hardware Firewall or Software Firewall? And Why?

Choosing between a hardware and software firewall depends on your security settings and goals. Since each type of firewall has its benefits and shortcomings, you can decide which one better suits your needs.

1. Since a software firewall is an installed program, its defence mechanism works on the application level, while a hardware firewall works on a network level.
2. A hardware firewall processes more traffic than a software firewall and extends the protection level to all devices connected to the same server. On the other hand, a software firewall will offer you more customisation options.
3. Software firewalls work best in controlled environments; hence, they best suit individuals or even micro businesses where the employees use their devices. Hardware firewalls are more comprehensive, so they best suit mega corporations, medium-sized businesses, and small businesses that need inclusive protection with less fuss.

What Is the Best Hardware Firewall for Small Businesses?

To choose the best firewall for your device or business, you need to check the agent’s security settings, the network size it can protect, how easy it is to configure and use, the available customer support methods, its compatibility with operating systems, and its efficiency in blocking threats. You will also need to review your budget, preferences, and your business’s security needs and expectations.

As we’ve discussed above, hardware firewalls proved to be more effective and cost-efficient and offer better protection to businesses than software firewalls. We’ve scanned the market for the best hardware firewall for your small business.

Protectli Vault

We begin with Protectli, a good firewall manufacturing company that helps small to medium businesses achieve their security potential. You can choose from hardware firewall devices with two to six ports to establish in your small business. These hardware firewalls are compatible with any software firewall you intend to use if you take the time to understand the hardware’s settings and configurations.

The prices of Protectli’s hardware firewall solutions start at $159.

SonicWall

SonicWall is another powerful cybersecurity solutions company offering software and hardware firewalls. The company makes hardware firewalls specifically tailored for small businesses, such as its TZ Series. Features such as the Network Security Manager, which displays all information regarding your network, and the SSL and TLS decryption schemes ensure all transferred data is encrypted.

TZ series begins at $329.60, and you can increase the subscription from one to three years, which will also increase the cost.

WatchGuard

WatchGuard has been modifying and upgrading its cybersecurity solutions to best service all sizes of businesses while simplifying its dashboard to ensure the best customer experience. The cybersecurity solutions company offers multiple firewall versions under its Unified Threat Management family. Of these solutions, the T25 and T25-W are the most likely to work best with small businesses. The two versions support up to five Ethernet connections and the branch offices.

You can buy WatchGuard’s products online through trusted resellers. The T25-W comes for a $594.36 yearly subscription, which extends to$1,466.40 for a five-year subscription.

pfSense

PfSense is an open-source network security solution that offers both types of firewalls, software and hardware. The versatile cybersecurity solutions pfSense offers include firewalls, VPNs, routers and DHCP servers. The firewall’s network surveillance services allow you to optimise network performance and is compatible with computers and network appliances, which makes it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

The pfSense packages for hardware firewalls start with Netgate 2100 at $349 while Netgate 8200 at $1,395.

Sophos

Sophos is one of the highest-ranking firewall solution options since the company offers both hardware and software firewalls. You can combine these powerful firewall solutions with third-party antivirus for maximum protection against cyberattacks. This combination will automatically keep your system’s security definitions updated and continuously protected. The firewall’s dashboard will show you, in detail, all gathered data, detected threats, and the recommended action.

Sophos’ services best suit small to medium businesses. If you choose the company’s advanced XGS 87 protective agent, you’ll pay only $434.62 for the security appliance, $594.92 for one year, or $1,236.16 for a five-year subscription.

Cisco Meraki

Cisco is one of the oldest players in the cybersecurity field and offers great security options. The Cisco Meraki Hardware Firewall is connected to your router to protect you from incoming and outgoing threats. The firewall will analyse, sort and process data to detect threats. It also has an intrusion detection system that prevents any unauthorised access to tamper with any of the network’s devices. Additionally, the firewall provides malicious URL detection to prevent your device from accessing suspicious websites.

Cisco Meraki MX Series offer various hardware firewall solutions. You can choose from solutions that begin at $823.

If the option to combine both types of firewalls is available, we recommend doing so. This way, you will get the best features of each type, an additional powerful layer of protection, and each firewall can make up for the shortcomings of the other. If this option suits your budget, you cannot be too safe regarding cybersecurity.

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