Managed Firewall Blog Series (Part 2) | Optimizing the Modern Office
Cybersecurity is becoming more than just enhanced protection—it’s a strategic investment that improves efficiency and supports modernization efforts. Adoption of new cybersecurity capabilities like a managed firewall service can both improve an organization’s security posture and help streamline operations, enable scalability and reduce costs.
In part one of this blog series, we discussed the core security benefits of a managed firewall. In part two, we look at the operational and cost benefits around outsourcing your firewall management and how it supports a remote workforce.
Empowering Employee Productivity
When employees and IT teams constantly deal with potential network vulnerabilities, it interrupts the normal flow of work and productivity. For remote workers or in-house IT, a managed firewall service can help keep your team focused on mission critical tasks:
- Reduce downtime – Downtime and slow network performance routinely impacts cost management, as daily productivity relies on predictability and access to the network. A managed firewall optimizes network traffic, reduces bottlenecks and identifies potential threats faster, helping employees stay productive and avoid disruptions.
- Automated updates and patching – By outsourcing the management of firewall services, updates and patches are automatically applied to your network infrastructure without the need for manual maintenance. This removes another time-consuming security responsibility from your in-house team and ensures maximum uptime.
Scale With Network Demands
As organizations grow, network security and capacity also need to evolve. A managed firewall service can help future-proof your network to quickly respond to expansions or reductions in network demands:
- Adapting to increased traffic – More employees means a higher volume of network traffic. Managed firewall allows your organization to scale with more users and devices without performance bottlenecks.
- Cloud-integrated security – Traditional on-premise firewall solutions can be restrictive when scaling out operations. Managed firewalls provide instant scalability without needing additional hardware investments. These cloud-based security platforms also allow for seamless incorporation of remote team members regardless of location.
- Flexible security configurations – A managed firewall service allows businesses to customize security settings based on their current growth stage and evolving threats. Whether a startup expanding to new markets or a large enterprise adopting new compliance requirements, network security policies can align with business needs.
Reduce Operational Costs
For both traditional and remote offices, a managed firewall can be a cost-effective solution that provides robust security functionality.
- Reduce IT Labor Costs – Managing and monitoring a firewall in-house requires certified IT professionals. A managed firewall service eliminates the need to invest in a larger IT staff without sacrificing reliability.
- Lower Hardware Expenses – Traditional firewalls often require significant upfront investment in hardware. A managed firewall service reduces the need for on-premise infrastructure, lowering capital expenditures.
- Predictable Subscription-Based Pricing – Instead of unpredictable costs associated with emergency security fixes or hardware replacements, managed firewall services offer subscription-based pricing, making budgeting more predictable and reducing unexpected expenses.
- Compliance and Regulatory Cost Savings – Failing to meet industry-specific security regulations can result in financial penalties. Managed firewall providers ensure compliance standards, reducing the risk of non-compliance fines and legal fees.
Modernizing The Traditional Workspace
A managed firewall service is more than just a security solution—it can be the catalyst for organizational growth and efficiency. At Red River we believe that organizations should remain focused on driving strategic innovation and meeting mission demands – while we assist with empowering and maintaining your IT infrastructure. By leveraging Cisco’s advanced firewall solutions with Red River’s managed services, leaders can simplify their network management to empower hybrid or remote workers, reduce unpredictable or unnecessary expenditures and adapt to increased network demand.
Interested in learning more about Red River and Cisco’s Managed Firewall Service? Be sure to check out our Managed Firewall solutions brief here and visit our website here.
