Small business owners want to protect their innovations and important data at all costs – but what is the best way to secure your company? Many business owners turn to firewall hardware to keep out hackers and ensure their servers are private and safeguarded.

 

A hardware firewall is a physical component similar to a server filtering web traffic going through a certain computer. Small business owners need to know the difference between hardware and software firewalls, deciding which machine is the best for their unique needs.

 

When researching the best firewall hardware for your small business, there are many options on the market. By doing the proper research of the most popular and top-sellers, you can make a smart decision as to which firewall hardware can best screen and fortify your clients, your business, and your employees. You need a firewall for your small business. But is the Fortinet Fortigate 40F right for you?

 

Let’s see the difference between a hardware vs. software firewall and why Fortinet FortiGate 40F is the best choice for your small business.

What is a hardware firewall?

A hardware firewall acts as a protector and antivirus solution for your business’ server. Located directly behind your computer’s router, this firewall filters out any threatening viruses or links that the hardware seems to be dangerous to let pass. Small business owners can configure these settings to best analyze incoming traffic for their certain company.

 

Differing from a software firewall, a hardware firewall is a physical device where the cable is plugged into the firewall. The firewall is located between the external network and the computer’s server, being the physical and electronic barrier to potential invasions.

Hardware vs. software firewall

Hardware firewall is a physical unit that protects your computer from incoming viruses and malware. A software firewall is an application or setting installed on your computer and operates from inside the system. Although these ‘mechanisms’ have the same purpose, they operate in completely different ways. If you are wondering what firewall is right for your small business, a hardware firewall could be the best option.

What are the benefits of a hardware firewall?

You need a firewall for your small business – but why is a hardware firewall better than a software firewall? A hardware firewall provides several benefits that other antivirus solutions cannot:

• Can control the traffic that reaches your server
• The user can configure the rules for all network traffic
• You can delegate the power of the hardware firewall, so it eases the stress and burden on other server programs
• Provides protection for every computer connected to your server
• You can update your settings at once, and it will immediately take effect in all network computers, ensuring all devices are protected
• Hardware firewalls are consistently running for constant protection of your company
• Since hardware firewalls have their own operating system, they are less susceptible to data attacks
• A physical hardware firewall barrier between your computer’s drive and malicious malware can be more effective than a software firewall

How do hardware firewalls work?

Now that you know you need a firewall for your small business, you need to know how this mechanism works so you can troubleshoot any issues in the future. Although the specific setup of your hardware depends on your unique network, all firewalls operate similarly.

 

One common type of hardware firewall is a packet filter, which examines the data, determines whether the data poses a threat to the network, and then runs the information through the system. If the data fails to pass the test, it is not allowed through to the computer.

What hardware firewall is best for me?

When researching why you need a firewall for your small business, you need to see which option is right for you. We have narrowed down the list to a few high-end options to help you decide on which firewall is best suited for your parameters.

Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway

This option provides an advanced hardware firewall and router designed for those who want speedy internet and an affordable package. Users can change firewall settings, monitor devices connected to the network, and remotely manage and monitor the system via a Graphical User Interface.

• The positives of using this system involve the ability to monitor traffic before it reaches your network, the affordability, hardcore firewall performance and extensive features, and a durable design.
• The only con of this hardware firewall option for your small business is that it may contain too many features that are unnecessary for your company.

Mikrotik heX RB750Gr3

This hardware firewall option can be used in small business environments, hospitality organizations, offices, retail shops, and home networks. Equipped with 4 LAN ports and 1 WAN port, this device supports high Gigabit speeds.

• The positives of using this hardware firewall for your small business are the extensive features list, easy setup for home and business use, configuration options, and powerful firewall settings.
• This hardware firewall’s cons are the inability to support full Gigabit internet speeds and the sharp learning curve when controlling advanced setting parameters.

Firewalla

Firewall offers an affordable version and a powerful version to suit your needs for your small business. This hardware firewall lets you monitor devices remotely, receives security threats via the cloud, connects seamlessly with any current network setup, and includes a built-in VPN server.

• The pros of using Firewalls are the easy installation, simple interface, affordable price, one-time payment, and CyberSecurity protection.
• The only con of Firewalls is the inability to work with high gigabit internet speeds.

Fortinet Fortigate 40F

Fortinet delivers a comprehensive SD-WAN solution with over 20,000 customers across the world. This hardware firewall option delivers a flexible option, allowing corporations, mid-size businesses, and small businesses to combine advanced features with simplified options.

• The positives of this hardware firewall are the easy setup, reliable connectivity, and security.

 

Why Fortinet Fortigate 40F is the BEST Choice For Small Businesses

After knowing you need a firewall for your small business, you may be wondering which is the right one. But is the Fortinet Fortigate 40F right for you? We think it is – here’s why.

Easy Setup Within Minutes

One of the main reasons why Fortinet Fortigate 40F is the best option for small businesses is the ease of setup and the intuitiveness of the system. Although this company has limited IT staff and numerous corporations that are their customers, they still manage to make the installation very easy. FortiGate 40F enables a quick out-of-the-box startup within minutes.

 

Similar to other FortiGate models on the market, Fortigate 40F increases the visibility and user-friendly experience with current network applications, like Office 365, increasing the compatibility.

Reliable connectivity – anywhere!

Is Fortinet Fortigate 40F right for you? Well, for small business owners who often work remotely or work on the go, FortiGate 40F uses a built-in LTE to provide additional connectivity options when you’re in the middle of nowhere. The added WAN connectivity ensures you can always stay connected with a reliable internet and data service, preventing any drop-offs during the middle of the workday.

Secure SD-Branch

The third reason FortiGate 40F is the best option for small businesses is the ability to use this mechanism in very small spaces. This hardware firewall is available with a built-in wireless access point to extend the WiFi for nearby phones, computers, and other electronic devices.

High-Security Computer Ratings

Similar to other FortiGate models, the FortiGate 40F option includes firewall security, SD-WAN, and routing in one appliance for consolidation and ease of use. In addition, FortiGate 40F uses the SoC4 SD-WAN ASIC, which is a process that increases the firewall’s performance, scalability, and effectiveness of the SD-WAN, while also increasing the user experience and friendly nature of the system.

 

Is Fortinet FortiGate 40F right for you? If you need a reliable firewall that is fiercely protective, but also easy to use for entrepreneurs and the less tech-savvy users, then this option is a great choice for you.

Works for Any Size Organization

Are you wondering if Fortinet FortiGate is right for you? Yes – this hardware firewall works for businesses of any size, ranging from a solo entrepreneur to a massive corporation. If you are a small business that needs a firewall, this hardware choice can be the best option for your company.

 

Fortinet recently received the highest score for the ‘Security Sensitive WAN’ and scored highly for the ‘Small/Midsize Enterprise/Regional WAN’. These ratings show this hardware firewall works for a wide range of company sizes, with these results highlighting the company’s focus on meeting a diverse range of client needs.

Conclusion

Small business owners need to protect their company’s data, documents, and secure information by using a firewall mechanism to safeguard their network. Individuals can either choose software firewall or hardware firewall, with the latter being the most secure and safest option for stopping malware and viruses in their tracks. When deciding what firewall you need for your small business, the best option is Fortinet FortiGate 40F due to the reliability, high security, easy user interface, and ability to work for any business size.