6 signs it's time to replace your firewall

As long as a firewall keeps running, replacement gets postponed. But "running" and "protecting" are not the same thing. If two or more of the signs below apply to you, it is time to put replacement into the budget cycle.

1. Vendor support has ended

If the device model or the highest firmware version it can run has reached end of support, no patches will arrive for new vulnerabilities. Check your model's dates on the vendor's product lifecycle page.

2. Speed drops when security features are on

If internet speed drops noticeably when IPS, antivirus and web filtering are enabled, the device is undersized for your traffic. The features usually get turned off, and the firewall becomes a simple router.

3. SSL/TLS inspection isn't possible

Most web traffic is now encrypted. If the device cannot run SSL inspection with acceptable performance, it cannot see most malicious content.

4. Your internet line is faster than the device

When fibre line speeds increase, an old firewall may not carry that speed with real security features on. Compare the "threat protection" figure on the datasheet with your line speed.

5. It can't meet new needs

If needs such as SD-WAN for multiple sites, ZTNA for remote staff, high availability (HA) or central management cannot be met with the current model or licence, replacement is the cleanest path.

6. Licence renewal costs approach a new device

Security licence renewals for older devices sometimes approach the bundle price of a new-generation device. Compare the three-year total cost.

Let's size it right together

At Bilgi Teknoloji we measure your current traffic, choose the right model and run the firewall replacement project with a no-downtime migration plan. We work with Fortinet and other vendors.