Choosing a Firewall That Facilitates Secure Remote Access

Security of Remote Access: Why It Matters

To be blunt — remote work is here to stay. It was already creeping up on us pre-2020, and now? It’s just how we do business. But all that work-from-anywhere convenience comes with a massive security headache.

Read more: The difference between logging in from a coffee shop, airport, or your home WiFi (which is likely still the default ISP router password) and not having a way to lock things down.

Firewalls are about more than keeping bad traffic at bay. All remote users have secure access to internal systems regardless of where they are. And if you’re depending purely on a VPN, without a proper firewall behind it—you’re gambling with your security.

I’ve been in this industry since the early ’90s (the era of stringing networks together with coax cables and token rings). I’ve already watched what happens when companies fail to take remote security seriously. The 2003 catastrophic Slammer worm outbreak? A classic case of why you need strong, well configured network security.

I run PJ Networks today, and we’ve partnered with banks, enterprises and small businesses to help them shore up their remote access security — particularly with a move to zero trust principles. If your firewall’s not in your remote work security strategy, you’re playing defense without half your team.

Firewall-Based Security vs VPN

People use VPN and firewall as if they’re synonyms, but they’re not.

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your connection to ensure the attackers find it difficult to catch your data. But it’s not sufficient in itself; it is a great tool.

A Firewall:

• Restricts who is even allowed to get on your network.
• Observes and filters to detect abnormal behavior.
• Applies MFA, intrusion prevention, and real access rules.
• Offers advanced reporting — system logs so you know what someone logged into and from where and if something looks fishy.

A VPN lets people connect. A firewall ensures they do so securely.

And the reality is, and many companies do this, they consider VPNs and they leave it like that without making sure there is a NGFW (next-gen firewall) that is handling that traffic properly. I’ve watched businesses make this mistake over and over. A basic VPN may protect the encryption of your traffic on the wire, but if your firewall isn’t in place with strict access controls, you might as well be leaving the front door open.

Choosing a Firewall to Allow Working from Home

If you’re searching for a firewall that actually makes secure remote access work, this is what you should be looking for:

1. Strong VPN Integrations

Now, some firewalls have built-in VPNs—cool. But some support only weak encryptions or outdated protocols (cough PPTP cough). Look for:

• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN or IPsec VPN with minimum AES-256 encryption
• Multiple concurrent connections (because your team is not one or two people).
• Split tunneling options — so employees aren’t accidentally sending their Netflix traffic over the corporate network.

2. Native Integration with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

You heard it here first — Zero Trust is not a buzzword. Do not consider a remote device trustworthy simply because it has credentials! Your firewall should:

• Have device posture checks (checking that the device is compliant before access is available).
• Prevent undesirable login attempts automatically.
• Require MFA to establish a VPN connection—not just after connecting.

A couple of weeks ago, I assisted a bank with a Zero Trust upgrade. Their old system? It sanctioned employees connecting their personal laptops over VPN with zero security inspection. That’s insane.

3. Strong IPS and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)

VPNs do not automatically block malware. A next-gen firewall with Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) will help you catch ransomware, phishing attempts and data exfiltration as it happens.

• IPS identifies and blocks exploits in real time.
• Because DPI scans traffic that moves through the VPN, even if malware sneaks in, it’s quelled before it can spread.

A regular VPN can’t do that. That’s why the firewall is important.

4. Real-time Monitoring and Management Through Cloud

If you work with a distributed workforce, cloud-based security tools are essential. Look for:

• A firewall with a console based on the web, so IT can monitor connections anywhere.
• Detect suspicious connections through live log analysis.
• AI threat intelligence (real-time adaptive threat feeds are actually useful).

5. Beyond VPN: Secure Remote Access

Modern firewalls also provide RDP security, SSH monitoring, and Secure Web Gateways. If your company uses:

• Remote desktops or SaaS applications — make sure to have identity-based access control on the firewall.
• Enable firewall-level encryption and micro-segmentation for cloud-hosted services.

In short? Not just a VPN—every remote employee must be secure on your firewall.

Fortinet Remote Security of PJ Networks

At PJ Networks, we use Fortinet firewalls, and not simply because they’re robust, but because they’re a complete remote worker security suite. Some key features:

• Secure Connectivity with Multi-layered authentication: SSL VPN & IPsec VPN
• ZTNA enforcement — authenticating devices before access
• Hardware-accelerated encryption (after all, we care about both security and speed)
• Cloud-native application protection platform for hybrid workforces with full integration with cloud security platforms
• Analytical threat intelligence — because half the battle is knowing

I had worked with three banks between Fortinet to upgrade their Zero Trust Remote Access and it significantly improved their security posture immediately. They transitioned from a static VPN setup to a totally aware remote workforce contained by a monitored firewall. That meant:

• No unauthorized VPN logins from dubious locations.
• Automated, accelerated incident response with Fortinet.
• Connect to the cloud without opening your internal network to the internet.

With remote work, firewall-first security is no longer optional.

Conclusion

Here’s the takeaway:

1. A firewall is not just a gatekeeper—it is the definition of remote work security.
2. A VPN alone isn’t enough. It’s about access control, not just encryption.
3. Zero Trust should be baked into the system so nobody has automatic trust.
4. For the best protection, use an enterprise-grade firewall such as Fortinet.

If your remote security plan is simply a VPN with decent credentials, then you’re just one phishing click from a serious breach. Trust me—I’ve seen it happen.

Close the gates on your firewall, your VPN, and your access rules. Your remote workforce relies on it.