before you sign on the dotted line:
? Will the vendor install and configure the firewall? You typically have to pay extra, but paying a vendor or the vendor’s authorized reseller to install the firewall may save you the headache of dealing with complex setup procedures.
? What is included in the software maintenance program, and how much is it? With innovations being discovered regularly, you’ll want to ensure the firewall vendor offers updates on a regular basis.
? Are references available? A firewall vendor should be able to provide you with examples of previous customers who are satisfied with the product and have configurations similar to your own environment. Integrity is important.
? Does the firewall support open standards? A firewall solution that doesn’t implement open standards like IPSEC and RADIUS will inevitably come back to haunt you. Many solutions support open standards for a variety of features. If the firewall doesn’t have support for these standards, you may not want to implement it as a solution.
