Jim is absolutely right here. A large part of my job is security consultation and design. We all spend so many $$$ a year keeping out Antivirus and other gateway products up to date but totally make it pointless if you dont keep your perimiter security up to scratch. Firewalls are often seen as a once only expense and IT shops often neglect the importance of keeping them patched and up todate. Many firewalls are looking at working at different layers (application layer rather than stateful inspection only) as well as attacks are becoming more advanced, which is why you have to spend the extra $$ to subscribe to their support programs. Trust me, spending the extra money on staying up to date is worth it in the long run. Also dont forget about a decend NIDS/IDS system. My recommendation is Eaglex and snort from engage security. Its open source and is perfect for keeping an eye on your firewall to make sure its doing its job internally and externally. Also it can be used to keep check on youre internal network traffic. My personal preference in firewalls is Borderware firewall server and Netscreens range. My 2c worth. Tony. -----Original Message----- From: Jim Kenzig http://thin.net [mailto:jimkenz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Sat 28/02/2004 7:09 a.m. To: windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: Subject: [windows2000] Re: OT Firewalls How much would it cost you to clean up if your network was hacked? How much money would your company lose from downtime. Would you still have a job? $7000 is pennies when I start answering those questions. Every 3 years updating critical hardware is not unrealistic. Bandwidth technology has improved every few years also...it makes sense to keep your equipment in line with it. JK -----Original Message----- From: windows2000-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:windows2000-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Greg Reese Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 11:57 AM To: windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [windows2000] Re: OT Firewalls My Cisco gear has been in the rack for four years. We keep out smartnet up to date and have never had a problem. Cisco has never come back to us and told us we have to replace all our hardware with their new stuff. The Firebox X only comes with 90 days of live security so right off the bat I have to buy more live security. It doesn't include Web Blocker anymore either. they keep telling me that I only have to buy the features I need and can upgrade later. That would be great if it was cheaper but its not. The firebox X 700 now ends up costing me over $3000.00. I have 125 users and don't use VPN. Then what, in two years they tell me that the X is being retired and I have to throw it out and buy the all new XI? I paid 2000 for the firebox two. I renewed Live Security on it for two years. I now have over $4000 invested in a firewall that I have to throw out and spend another $3000 to replace it. $7000 in three years for internet security is a bit steep for 125 users and no VPN. Greg _____ From: windows2000-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:windows2000-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Kenzig http://thin.net Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 11:39 AM To: windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [windows2000] Re: OT Firewalls C'mon Greg, WatchGuard, Rules....it makes sense that you'll need to keep your firmware up to date to keep up with the latest vulnerabilities and threats. All the vendors do it especially Cisco. It is planned obsolescence. I'd get the Firebox X in a heartbeat. JK -----Original Message----- From: windows2000-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:windows2000-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Greg Reese Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 11:29 AM To: windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [windows2000] OT Firewalls I have been a loyal Watchguard customer for a few years now but their new strategy of cutting off old products and forcing you into new ones is pissing me off right now. I am exploring other options. What are the rest of you using for firewalls? I liked Watchguard because I could configure it myself and they had great support available online. But they dropped support for the Firebox II and are telling me I have to get a Firebox III. Now they have come out with the Firebox X. I am sure by the end of the year they will be telling me I have to upgrade from the III to the X. I really don’t want to play that game. I get enough of that from Microsoft and Great Plains. I don't need it from my firewall too. Greg