This section provides an overview for fire walls as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 fire wall manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked fire wall companies as of November, 2024: 1.Juniper Networks, Inc., 2.Red Lion, 3.Cisco Systems, Inc..
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Categories Related to Fire Walls
A firewall is a security function designed to prevent attacks from external communications. It serves as a barrier between a private internal network and the public internet, much like a fire-resistant wall in a building offers protection against fire.
There are two primary types of firewalls: packet filtering and gateway firewalls. Packet filtering analyzes and blocks dangerous information packets from external sources, while gateway firewalls filter information based on destination URLs or specific text content.
Given the diverse information confidentiality and volume handled by organizations like companies and schools, firewall settings and functionalities often vary to meet specific needs. For instance, some institutions may use firewalls to block access to social networking sites to mitigate the risk of information leakage.
Firewalls operate by monitoring data packets, which are units of data transmitted over a network. They identify and block unauthorized or potentially harmful activities. There are two types of firewalls:
Firewalls also regulate internal PCs' communication with potentially hazardous external destinations, preventing both external attacks and unsafe internal communications.
In corporate environments, firewalls are crucial for maintaining information security. Unlike personal computers, the information handled by companies and schools often includes sensitive data, necessitating robust security measures.
Firewalls in these settings not only provide basic filtering, but may also restrict access to websites that could potentially lead to information leaks. Information security teams typically manage these firewalls, updating software, monitoring connections, and deciding on blockages as needed.
While firewall settings are generally predetermined by the application developers and offer limited user customization, some adjustments are possible. Users can modify settings to allow connections through specific ports or to certain sites. However, free alteration of firewall settings in corporate environments is typically restricted to prevent accidental security breaches.
Disabling a firewall, even temporarily, exposes a network to external threats. It's vital to re-enable the firewall promptly after such instances. Moreover, outdated firewalls can also compromise network security, highlighting the importance of regular updates and maintenance.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Red Lion was founded in 1972 and headquartered in York, Pennsylvania as part of Spectris, PLC, headquartered in Egham, England. The company serves manufacturing, oil & gas, alternative energy, transportation, and water industries with products for their industrial automation and industrial networking needs. The company’s industrial automation division creates controllers, secure remote access platforms, panel meters, and process control devices. The industrial networking division offers ethernet devices, IIoT gateways and routers, and communication converters.
SonicWall is based in Milpitas, California, and is a developer and manufacturer of cybersecurity products that was originally established in 1991 as Sonic Systems before rebranding 1999. The company’s specialized product portfolio includes hardware and software firewalls, VPN software, endpoint security software, and its unified threat management platform. It also offers services such as software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), cloud security, and threat intelligence. The company’s products are commonly used by clients in the financial services, healthcare, retail, and hospitality sectors.
Arista Networks, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of cloud networking products and solutions that was established in Santa Clara, California in 2008. The company’s product portfolio includes its CLOUDVISION network-wide management software, its AVA AI-driven network detection and response software, and an extensible operating system that incorporates and runs on all Arista software platforms. It also offers Ethernet switches for supporting various densities, speeds, and form factors. The company’s products are primarily used by client communication and network service providers, as well as by clients in the security, media, and entertainment sectors.
Cisco Systems, Inc., founded in 1984 and based in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of networking hardware, software, and services. Their offerings include routers for network connection and traffic routing, switches to manage internal network traffic, wireless access points for wireless connectivity, security appliances to safeguard against unauthorized access and attacks, and collaboration solutions to facilitate communication and collaboration among individuals. Cisco's comprehensive range of products caters to diverse networking needs, enabling seamless communication, data transfer, and collaboration across networks.
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc., founded in Seattle, WA, in 1996 is a provider of unified cybersecurity services such as endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and secure Wi-Fi. The company's product portfolio includes unified threat management appliances, next-generation firewalls, web security, network security, identity security and Endpoint detection and response. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. The company has offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Firewalls.com, Inc. is an American distributor of network security solutions that was established in 1999 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company primarily stocks and resellsvarious firewall products from brands such as FORTINET, CISCO, SOPHOS and WATCHGUARD. These include firewall subscriptions, appliances, and bundles. It also offers configuration, installation, and support services for customers requiring additional support. The company mainly markets to clients in the healthcare, education, government, and commercial business sectors.
Fortinet, Inc. established in 2000 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of network security appliances. The company's product range includes network security tools, enterprise firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), VPN, and antivirus solutions. These products ensure the security of digital infrastructures, safeguarding devices, data, and individuals against potential cyber threats. The company primarily serves the cyber security, mobile, network security, and general security sectors. In addition to product manufacturing, the company specializes in offering network security solutions, firewall services, threat detection and prevention, and VPN security.
Sophos Ltd., founded in 1987 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a manufacturer and distributor of cybersecurity solutions. The company's product range spans Endpoint (XDR), Server, Firewall, Wireless, Email Protection, and Cloud Native Security. These solutions offer protection across various IT infrastructure elements, from individual devices to email and cloud applications. Industries that rely on Sophos include IT, finance, healthcare, and education. Beyond products, the company offers services such as managed detection and response, incident response, training, and dedicated support packages.
CDW LLC is based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and is a distributor and service provider specializing in information technology solutions that was established in 1984 as a subsidiary of the CDW Corporation. The company stocks various computing devices such as desktop and laptop computers, as well as network devices including switches, routers, and firewalls. It also offers cloud computing, digital experience, security, and productivity software solutions. The company mainly markets to clients in the retail, small business, finance, and government sectors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Juniper Networks, Inc. |
34.9%
|
2 | Red Lion |
16.3%
|
3 | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
14.0%
|
4 | SonicWall |
9.3%
|
5 | Firewalls.com, Inc. |
7.0%
|
6 | Arista Networks, Inc. |
7.0%
|
7 | Fortinet, Inc. |
4.7%
|
8 | CDW LLC. |
2.3%
|
9 | WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. |
2.3%
|
10 | Belden Inc. |
2.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the fire wall page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 8 | 100.0% |