WatchGuard Fireware Operating System

Intelligent, State-of-the-Art Network Security

Nothing stays the same in network security. Not minute-to-minute and certainly not year-to-year. That’s why WatchGuard’s network security platform is architected on our security-hardened Fireware® operating system (OS) with the flexibility to build the solutions on top to counter whatever threat comes next. Our approach delivers:

• Next-generation proxy technology that efficiently assembles payloads from network traffic for the most efficient scanning possible
• A multiprocessing engine coupled with an efficient hypervisor that optimizes inspection speed, including on encrypted traffic
• A modular approach enabling integration with the industry’s leading security engines and evolving layered security services to address new kinds of attacks
• Artificial intelligence advances that learn to spot patterns for faster detection and response to unknown threats

Spotlight on Fireware 12.3

The Firebox is now an SD-WAN solution. Along with providing many layers of comprehensive security, the WatchGuard Firebox provides SD-WAN capabilities that allow you to easily assess link quality, balance traffic between different WAN connections, prioritize traffic based on application priority, and quickly deploy in new locations. All SD-WAN and security capabilities are delivered in one appliance with common central management – no need to buy stand-alone SD-WAN solutions.

Fireware 12.3 is a major update to the Fireware operating system, providing many new enhancements including:

• SD-WAN dynamic path selection - provides automated traffic balancing between multiple WAN connections based on near real-time measured performance and cost of line.
• Support for the NetFlow - export traffic flow data to 3rd party solutions that support NetFlow v9 and v6.
• Geolocation policy actions – restricts traffic by worldwide location. Users can now vary geolocation action based on policy, allowing for less strict rules for DNS and mail, for example.
• Auto-save of backups to USB sticks – for faster recovery of systems with a local backup available on USB
• IPv6 SSO – enables names, not just IP addresses, in Dimension reports
• WebBlocker UI updates - allows customers to export WebBlocker actions and the global exceptions list. This is useful for compliance reporting (e.g. KCSiE and CIPA) and to maintain consistency across sites.
• Tigerpaw integration – enables partners using Tigerpaw to manage the asset synchronization for tracking Fireboxes and their service expirations, and perform closed loop service desk ticketing within the PSA tool.

WatchGuard continues to deliver additional value with Fireware 12.3, making it easier to exchange information between systems and enhance your network with improved performance and lower costs, and best yet, it’s available to WatchGuard Firebox customers with active support licenses for no additional charge.

Changing the Network Security Game for Good

Network security appliances are a critical network control point – essential for security and enabled with a full suite of networking and redundancy capabilities so your network is always on, always reliable. That includes SD-WAN dynamic path selection, quality of service (QoS) and high availability—including active/active failover. Fireware enables an intuitive user interface and central management controls that are consistent across every WatchGuard security device in your distributed network, as well as our Dimension visibility tool for actionable logging and reporting.