01
NETWORK SECURITY
From the perimeter to every branch office
One controls what is allowed in and out. The other decides how traffic travels between offices, users, and the cloud. Firewalls and SD-WAN carry network security from the perimeter to every branch.
01
Firewalls & Network Security
A firewall is a core part of network security that protects systems by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic. It acts as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external sources like the internet.
Access, traffic, and policy. Firewalls are used to prevent unauthorized access, block malicious traffic, and enforce security policies across the network.
WHAT DOES A FIREWALL DO?
Five jobs, running all the time
01
Blocks Unauthorized Access
Stops access to internal systems from users and sources that have no business reaching them.
02
Filters Traffic by Rule
Filters traffic based on rules covering IP address, port, and protocol.
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Monitors Network Activity
Watches network activity for suspicious behavior worth investigating.
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Prevents Malicious Connections
Prevents malware and malicious connections from reaching users or devices.
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Controls Application Traffic
Controls which applications or services are allowed to communicate.
HOW FIREWALLS WORK
Rules first, then deeper inspection
Firewalls inspect network traffic based on predefined rules. When data enters or leaves the network, the firewall checks if it meets the allowed criteria. For example, it can allow traffic from trusted sources while blocking unknown or suspicious connections.
Modern firewalls use advanced inspection methods such as deep packet inspection, which analyzes the content of traffic, not just basic information. Some firewalls also include intrusion prevention features that can automatically detect and stop attacks in real time.
TRAFFIC INSPECTED
Trusted sources pass. Unknown connections stop at the edge.
FIVE KEY ASPECTS
What a firewall controls
Scroll to move through all five, from filtering rules to logging and monitoring.
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Traffic Filtering Rules
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Stateful Inspection
03
Application Control
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Intrusion Prevention
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Logging and Monitoring
01
Traffic Filtering Rules
Define what is allowed or blocked based on IP, port, and protocol.
02
Stateful Inspection
Tracks active connections and ensures traffic is part of a valid session.
03
Application Control
Identifies and controls specific applications like web, email, or file sharing.
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Intrusion Prevention
Detects and blocks known attack patterns before they reach internal systems.
05
Logging and Monitoring
Records activity for visibility and investigation after the fact.
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KEY BENEFITS
What you get from it
01
Prevents Unauthorized Access
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Stops external users or attackers from entering internal systems.
02
Reduces Risk of Malware
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Blocks malicious traffic before it reaches users or devices.
03
Improves Network Visibility
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Provides logs and insights into what is happening in the network.
04
Enforces Policy Consistently
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Ensures all users and systems follow the same rules.
05
Supports Compliance
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Helps meet security standards by controlling and monitoring access.
CHOOSING YOUR DEPLOYMENT
Four ways firewalls are deployed
01
Network Firewall
Used at the network edge to protect the entire organization from external threats.
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02
Next-Generation Firewall
Provides advanced features like application awareness, intrusion prevention, and deep inspection.
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03
Cloud Firewall
Protects cloud-based systems and workloads in cloud environments.
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04
Host-Based Firewall
Installed on individual devices to provide endpoint-level protection.
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DEPLOYMENT
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Network Firewall
WHAT IT COVERS
PERIMETER
WHOLE ORGANIZATION
02
Software-Defined Wide Area Network
SD-WAN is a technology that helps companies manage and optimize their network connections across different locations such as branch offices, remote users, and cloud environments. It simplifies how traffic is routed and ensures that important applications perform well while maintaining secure connectivity.
HOW DOES SD-WAN WORK?
Software picks the path, not the hardware
SD-WAN uses software to control how network traffic is routed instead of relying only on traditional hardware. It continuously monitors network performance such as latency, packet loss, and bandwidth, then automatically selects the best path for data to travel.
Critical applications like video calls or cloud systems are prioritized and routed through the most stable connection, while less important traffic uses other available links. If one connection fails, SD-WAN can automatically switch to another without disrupting operations.
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Measure the Links
Network performance such as latency, packet loss, and bandwidth is monitored continuously.
02
Select the Best Path
Software chooses the route for each flow instead of leaving it to fixed hardware paths.
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Prioritize What Matters
Video calls and cloud systems take the most stable connection while other traffic uses the remaining links.
04
Fail Over Automatically
If one connection fails, traffic switches to another without disrupting operations.
BEST PATH SELECTED
Calls and cloud apps take the stable link. Everything else fills the rest.
Latency, packet loss, and bandwidth measured continuously.
WHAT IS SD-WAN USED FOR?
Eight jobs companies give it
01
Connecting branch offices to HQ securely
Connects multiple office locations with secure and stable communication without relying only on MPLS.
02
Optimizing cloud application performance
Improves performance of apps like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other SaaS by routing traffic directly to the cloud instead of backhauling to HQ.
03
Supporting remote and hybrid employees
Provides secure and reliable access for employees working from home or on the go, with a consistent connection to company systems.
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Prioritizing business-critical applications
Ensures VoIP calls, video conferencing, and ERP systems get priority over less critical traffic like downloads or streaming.
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Reducing MPLS dependency and costs
Allows companies to use cheaper internet connections such as broadband and LTE while still maintaining performance and reliability.
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Ensuring network continuity
Automatically switches to backup connections such as LTE or a secondary ISP when the main link fails, preventing downtime.
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Improving multi-cloud performance
Optimizes traffic between different cloud providers and on-premises systems.
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Centralizing network management
Allows IT teams to control and monitor all sites from one dashboard instead of managing each location separately.
KEY COMPONENTS
The four moving parts
01
SD-WAN Edge Devices
Installed at branch offices or data centers to manage traffic locally.
02
Centralized Controller
Manages policies, routing, and configurations across the network.
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Orchestrator and Management Platform
Provides visibility, monitoring, and control in one dashboard.
04
Transport Networks
Includes internet, MPLS, LTE, or other connections used for data transfer.
FIVE KEY FEATURES
Application-aware routing, dynamic paths, and failover that needs no one on call.
KEY FEATURES
What the platform does for you
01
Application-Aware Routing
Prioritizes critical apps like VoIP, video, or SaaS.
02
Dynamic Path Selection
Automatically chooses the best connection based on performance.
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Centralized Management
Controls all locations from one platform.
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Built-In Security
Includes encryption, segmentation, and integration with firewalls.
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Automatic Failover
Switches to backup links if the main connection fails.
BENEFITS
Where the gains show up
01
Improved application performance
Critical apps run faster and more reliably due to prioritization.
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Reduced network downtime
Automatic failover keeps operations running even if a connection fails.
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Lower connectivity costs
Reduces reliance on expensive MPLS by using broadband or internet links.
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Simplified network management
Centralized control reduces complexity for IT teams.
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Better support for remote work
Provides secure and stable access for users outside the office.
TYPES OF ARCHITECTURE
Three ways to build it
01
On-Premises SD-WAN
Deployed within the company physical infrastructure for full control.
WHY IT MATTERS
Built for cloud applications and remote work
Modern businesses rely heavily on cloud applications and remote connectivity, and traditional networks are not designed to handle this efficiently. SD-WAN improves performance, reduces costs, and ensures reliable connections, helping companies manage growing network demands and support digital transformation across all locations.
Get in touch with us.
Whether you are exploring cybersecurity solutions, looking for long-term security support, or interested in working with our team, we'd be happy to connect.