I've use WatchGuard Network Security at two different companies that I have worked for. I think that it's a very comprehensive solution. We've used it to geo-fence in our internet access at the office at my current job. At my previous job we used it with remote employees who needed to have a VOIP phone on our network during the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Without WatchGuard Network Security we would have had to close the business at a crucial time, putting many out of work. This involved use of the T10 and T15 units for the user to take home. Once we got it working, it worked great for over three years straight, until we changed our phone system to something that did not require it. Overall, I would recommend WatchGuard Network Security to protect a business and allow ease of administration from an IT perspective.
Pros
VPN Tunnels to remote locations
Geo-restriction of internet usage in office.
Easy to use, GUI is straightforward.
Cons
There could be a little more documentation available.
Some items could have a better description.
It should be more obvious where to go to assign static ips to MAC addresses on the network.
Likelihood to Recommend
WatchGuard Network Security got us through the pandemic with almost no downtime for our customer service team. Without it we would have had to close down temporarily, which could have become permanent.
My current position is at a company involving finance and so we have several uses for WatchGuard Network Security to assist in protecting our clients PII. We use a VPN software solution from WatchGuard Network Security as well to connect remote people to our network, and it works great.
Upgraded my network security by replacing my old SonicWall firewall with a WatchGuard firebox. So much easier to manage and confidence is much higher. The vpn is worlds better. The Sonicwall would drop vpn connections constantly, have not had any of those issues since moving to the WatchGuard.
Pros
The interface is easy to navigate.
The mobile VPN is easy to config and very stable.
Content filtering is very reliable.
Cons
Add chat support option.
Likelihood to Recommend
I can't describe any scenarios where it would be less appropriate as I have only used it in one company, and it is very appropriate. Our previous Sonicwall had issues with dropping vpn connections as well as not failing over to backup isp. The WatchGuard has fixed both of those issues.
VU
Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (Construction company, 51-200 employees)
Next Gen Firewalls at all our offices. Units designed for our head office as well as very small offices. Advanced Threat Protection, Web filtering, and Application Control
Pros
Web filtering with several categories, specific addresses, exceptions.
Easy to configure Intrusion Prevention
WatchGuard Cloud for logging
WatchGuard System Manager for device management
Cons
WatchGuard Cloud for device management
Licensing options for centralized management through WatchGuard System Manager
Logging both in enabling and viewing
Likelihood to Recommend
WatchGuard offer a wide range of cost-effective devices with enterprise level security that are well suited for the large offices as well as the small office or home office. Centralized Management allows you to create security templates that can easily be pushed to all devices. Security features are easy to set up with their default protection and they offer the granular control for those who need it.
Our various locations are connected via WatchGuard firewalls. They provide basic firewall features as well as content scanning and a point-to-point VPN.
Pros
Firewall
Content scanning
VPN
Cons
Traffic monitoring can be difficult to drill down to a specific client
Likelihood to Recommend
WatchGuard firewalls are easy to maintain. The setup process is not too difficult.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Information Technology (Building Materials company, 51-200 employees)
Real time network scanning and new application monitoring are the keys for our use of WatchGuard. It is critical in daily use to avoid security threats. These features have saved out network from multiple threats many times over the years. I have seen the interface develop into a very user friendly GUI and have used the interface to take advantage of the in-depth features within WatchGuard.
Pros
New application verification prior to installation
Real-time monitoring of security threats
Full control of remote/mobile devices accessing the network
Cons
Setting up initial profiles for groups
Likelihood to Recommend
Any network administrator(s) can benefit from the control you have on unapproved software installation.
We use WatchGuard as our firewall/router for our main office. WatchGuard helps us block out the bad, balance our network, and monitor usage. It has received regular updates which we need. It has been easy to keep up to date and pretty easy to manage. Our device is 4 years old and the newer ones are even easier to work with.
Pros
Easy setup
Reliable
Good tech support
Cons
Cloud setup should be easier to transition
Cloud setup initally would have been nice
Make some settings a little easier to navigate
Likelihood to Recommend
It worked out well for our business with 60 people. It might not work well for businesses over 200 but I am not sure.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Manufacturing (Construction company, 51-200 employees)
We [have been] using WatchGuard [Network Security] firewalls since 2004. We have used it to create VPN tunnels between offices and also MUVPN for remote users. We used its anti-spam and web security in [the] past to fight the growing spam emails issue as well as protect us from malicious websites. It's a simple and great product that you can use to protect your network.
Pros
Protects my network with security policies
Connects remote offices with VPN tunnels
Connects remote users with mobile user VPN clients
Cons
The logging could be better
Web interface is slow
Anti-spam policy customization is not available
Likelihood to Recommend
We are using WatchGuard [Network Security] to protect our network. This can easily be accomplished by creating policies. Creating policies are very simple and straight forward. We can create as many policies as we need to accommodate individual needs. We have different departments that have specific needs when it comes to [protecting] users, allowing specific network resources, MUVPN for remote users, etc. The logging and bandwidth usage interface [are] there but sometimes it's really hard to figure out the problem we are troubleshooting. If someone is using high bandwidth then we have to use some third party tools like wireshark to figure [it] out.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Information Technology (Civil Engineering company, 201-500 employees)
Watchguard is used to secure our networks and act as a firewall between employees and the internet at large. Watchguard gateway anti-virus, web and content filtering, and intrusion prevention help keep our networks safe. Watchguard VPN is also used to allow remote workers secure access to our networks. Watchguard helps keep our users and data safe while not hindering access to legitimate internet usage.
Pros
Secure remote VPN access
Easy to use and manage
Quick and secure web filtering and intrusion prevention
Cons
setting up content filters could be improved
Likelihood to Recommend
Watchguard is well suited to just about any network environment. Remote work and site-to-site VPN is easy to set up and use. Content and web filtering keep employees safe without hindering their legitimate business usage. Watchguard is also fairly simple for a new or inexperienced user to jump into.
Trade problems we do not have so far and luckily [WatchGuard Network Security] are stable that our scope is to keep it updated and if something unexpected happens you take the actions of place
Pros
ProxyScan work perfectly
Spamblocker I like it
Blocked Site the best
Cons
Update WatchGuard System manager could be more easier to do it
Traffic monitor more friendly
WatchGuard [Network Security] Dimension and data loss prevention must be more usable and promoted
Likelihood to Recommend
Suited: Filtering mails, blocking site, geolocation, Less appropriate: sso and vpn client more stable, updates more easy
