How to Choose the Right Firewall for Small & Medium Businesses (SMBs)

I recently returned from DefCon—still shaking from the hardware hacking village. If there’s one thing I kept telling folks there (especially those running small businesses), it’s this:

Your firewall is your bodyguard. And if it’s weak, welcome to trouble.

I’ve been at this since the ‘90s (yup, I recall the Slammer worm like it just happened), and I’ve seen organizations—large and small—succumb to the same blunder: picking a firewall that’s either too weak or too complex. So let’s talk about how you can choose the right one.

Firewall Needs for SMBs

For those of you with small or midsize businesses, you don’t have an enterprise security budget. But that doesn’t give you a free pass on protecting your data. Here’s what SMBs need in a firewall:

• Good security: That means blocking intruders, guarding against malware, filtering the web, and doing all that without slowing down your network.
• Easy management: If it takes a PhD in networking just to configure it, it’s the wrong firewall.
• Scalability: Your business grows (we hope). Your firewall needs to grow right along with it.
• Remote access enabled: In today’s hybrid work world, secure client access/VPN is a must-have (not an option!).

And don’t be swayed by the buzzwords like “powered by A.I.” For a good firewall, it’s all about the real security functions, not the snazzy logo.

Budget-Friendly Security

Money’s tight for most SMBs. And here’s the reality: a ransomware attack costs more than any firewall you will purchase.

What I usually say to clients:

• Avoid expensive enterprise and per-user licensing models that you don’t need.
• Seek out security services you can easily bundle—such as intrusion detection, malware scanning, and web filtering. They save you money versus piecing tools together.
• Do not use consumer-grade firewalls. Your business is not a home Wi-Fi router.

A few months ago I assisted a local manufacturing company in replacing their end-of-life firewall. They were running some cheap generic model with no real security whatsoever. When I replaced it with a business-grade firewall (and didn’t quadruple their budget), they were finally able to sleep peacefully — because security isn’t an expense, it’s an investment.

Scalable Protection

I did this early on in my career. Assessed a firewall for a client that was perfectly serviceable — until they brought on 50 more people. Then the firewall became the bottleneck for their entire network. (Yeah, that was a fun week.)

What I learned:

1. Plan for growth.
   • You currently have 20 employees, select one that can grow to handle 50+.
   • Seek out low-friction upgrade paths.
2. Cloud integration matters.
   • If your organization uses Google Workspace, AWS, or Office 365, your firewall should protect hybrid and cloud traffic.
3. Zero-trust readiness.
   • Permissions need to be granular, not an all-access pass to your network.
   • I was involved in upgrading three banks to proper Zero-Trust models, you should be preparing your business for that as well.

Bottom line — chuck down some coin on a firewall you can scale up without having to buy a new one when your business takes off.

Fortinet SMB Solutions by PJ Networks

We’ve put in a ton of firewalls over time. And Fortinet has been our bread and butter with SMBs. Why?

• Low-cost, without compromising security
• Integrated IPS & anti-malware included
• A quick way to get up and running — because nobody has time to set up config files
• Scales perfectly for expanding businesses

At PJ Networks, specializing in cybersecurity, we’ve lost track of the number of SMBs we know have been compromised, with the lack of belief that attackers are remotely interested in this segment. Allow me to explain: Cybercriminals have a thing for small businesses. If your defenses are low, you’re a sitting duck.

The solution? A firewall that protects your network.

Conclusion

Here’s the thing—not choosing a firewall means not buying the latest and greatest one with a dozen features you’ll never touch. It is about selecting the appropriate security for your enterprise.

Quick take:

• Purchase a firewall that possesses additional security elements, such as malware protection, intrusion prevention, etc.
• Think expensive—ransomware will cost more than a good firewall.
• Plan for growth. Your firewall should grow as your business grows.
• Get expert advice. (That’s what I’m here for.)

We have assisted businesses — banks, manufacturers, law firms — with the security upgrades at a relatively low cost. Contact us if you need assistance choosing the correct firewall. Because you deserve better than hope as a security strategy for your business.