New T15, T35 and T55 models offer improved performance as well as unified threat management.
As we’ve explained previously, security-conscious businesses should consider replacing their standard router with a firewall appliance – and Watchguard’s Firebox T series takes this approach further with the inclusion of unified threat management (UTM).
The UTM features include advanced persistent threat (APT) blocking, threat detection and response (TDR), intrusion prevention system (IPS), anti-virus, and application control – although you’ll need to pay extra to subscribe to some of these extra services.
Watchguard’s new Firebox T15, T35 and T55 models replace the T10, T30 and T50, and support “blazing-fast internet speeds” as well as providing the most advanced enterprise-grade security protections and controls, the company claims.
However, they’re still tabletop rather than rack-mounted devices, making them suitable for many small businesses.
The faster throughput – “the highest-performing security inspection in its class”, according to WatchGuard – means protections against a wide variety of advanced malware can be enabled without slowing network speeds.
The T15 achieves 52Mbps throughput with full UTM scanning, while the T35 and T55 are said to be good for 203Mbps and 378Mbps respectively.
The T35 and T55 models include a Power over Ethernet plus port for devices such as security cameras or wireless access points, and the Wi-Fi enabled versions of these appliances support 802.11ac.
“Hackers no longer discriminate based on location or the size of a business,” said WatchGuard director of product management Brendan Patterson.
“Small offices and home offices are just as likely to be targeted as enterprise locations, which is why they need access to the same enterprise-grade protection, including services like APT blocker and threat detection and response. As internet speeds continue to increase, we continue to improve the performance of our tabletop Fireboxes to ensure that security doesn’t restrict network performance or interfere with business goals.”
