Internet Firewalls

What is a firewall? A firewall is a system that secures a network, shielding it from access by unauthorized users. Firewalls can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. In addition to preventing unrestricted access into a network, a firewall can also restrict data from flowing out of a network.

We recommend the following firewall security products:

Smoothwall Advanced Firewall

Advanced Firewall is the Unified Threat Management system for enterprise networks. Combining the functions of perimeter and internal firewalls, Advanced Firewall employs Microsoft Active Directory®/LDAP user authentication for policy based access control to local network zones and Internet services. Secure wireless, secure remote access and site-to-site IPSec connectivity are provided by the integrated VPN gateway. Add-on modules broaden the capabilities of Advanced Firewall to include web security/content filtering, email security/anti-spam and bandwidth management (QoS).

Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server

ISA Server 2006 is an integrated edge security gateway that helps protect your IT environment from Internet-based threats while providing your users with fast and secure remote access to applications and data. ISA Server 2006 can be used in three core deployment scenarios:

• Secure Application Publishing
Secure application publishing with ISA Server 2006 enables organizations to make their Exchange, SharePoint, and other Web application servers accessible in a secure manner to remote users outside the corporate network.

• Branch Office Gateway
Organizations can use ISA Server 2006 as a branch office gateway to connect to and secure their branch offices, while efficiently utilizing network bandwidth.

• Web Access Protection
Web access protection with ISA Server 2006 can help organizations protect their environments from internally and externally originating Internet-based threats.

This product is also included as part of Microsoft Windows Server Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition