Strengthening Security with Up-To-Date Firewalls: A Guide for MSPs

Network devices that reach their End of Life (EOL) represent a significant risk that many organizations overlook. Beyond the lack of vendor support, they can become open doors for increasingly sophisticated attacks. A recent analysis by CSO reveals that two out of three security breaches originate from outdated firewalls and network devices -‒ with unpatched firmware and vulnerabilities that attackers know inside out.

For MSPs, this landscape isn’t just a challenge; it’s an opportunity to lead the modernization of their clients’ infrastructure. Replacing EOL devices isn’t only about swapping hardware ‒ it’s about redesigning the security architecture with solutions that can prevent, detect, and respond to threats across the entire environment.

Outdated firewalls and access points that don’t support current standards or functions, such as deep inspection of encrypted traffic, leave critical gaps. So now is the time to step up and position yourself as the protector of your clients’ security.

Audits and Right-Sizing

Before upgrading, it is essential to carry out a full audit. This means reviewing the hardware inventory and analyzing how network traffic flows to identify limitations, peak demand periods, and potential vulnerabilities. You should also measure factors such as the real throughput of each device, the response times under load, and the number of simultaneous connections that can be handled. Equipped with this data, you can select the right new hardware ‒ ensuring it not only meets today’s needs but is also prepared to scale and support services such as VPN with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and hybrid work environments. 

From Upgrading to Service Expansion

Using next-generation firewalls enables MSPs to deliver more comprehensive and consistent network protection ‒ including secure Wi-Fi, intelligent segmentation, and most importantly, centralized cloud-based management. Compared to more basic solutions, this technology reduces operational errors, ensures uniform application of policy, and simplifies automatic updates across the entire infrastructure, closing gaps that outdated hardware or software might leave. Moreover, the ability to correlate events across multiple network layers with XDR ‒ from firewalls to endpoints, access points, and authentication ‒ means faster detection and response to incidents. The result: improved operational efficiency and stronger security for clients. This combination of visibility, control, and agility positions you as a strategic partner who can anticipate risks and deliver high-value security services.

There are now programs available designed specifically to help MSPs modernize their clients’ infrastructure in a planned way. These trade-up programs provide a direct path to upgrading infrastructure with tangible benefits. It isn’t just about replacing an old device with a new one; it’s about making a significant leap in terms of capabilities:

• Enhanced Services: Integration of advanced technologies for proactive malware detection, expanded IPS signature coverage, and mobility solutions to manage distributed environments with consistent and secure policies.
• Better Performance and Throughput: The capacity to inspect more encrypted traffic without degrading the user experience, ensuring deep and seamless protection even under heavy load.
• Advanced Remote Access: Optimized support for RDP sessions and encrypted TLS connections, enabling secure remote work and support without compromising the network.
• New Firmware Functions: Incorporation of security and management functions exclusive to more recent models, not available in previous generations.

For MSPs, this is a time of change that goes beyond simply renewing hardware ‒ it’s about transforming your clients’ security strategy, designing more efficient and resilient infrastructures, and reinforcing your role as true protectors of their networks. It’s an opportunity to stand out, reduce incidents, increase operational efficiency, and deliver more managed services on a platform ready to grow alongside each client’s needs.