Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: What firewall for small medical research lab
From: Chris Moody <cmoody () qualcomm com>
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 20:07:44 -0700
Smoothwall. It's a linux based iptables firewall. You can literally have it installed and setup in less than 30 minutes (I've done it).
VERY user friendly. Costs -$0-. HIGHLY extensible. I actually ran a hosting business behind one for the last several years. Cheers, -Chris rmillisl () millis-it com wrote:
I have been asked to research what good, low cost, firewall solutions might prove suitable for a medical research lab at a local University to protect confidential patient data from outsiders. In addition to other research I though I would ask here. I realize a firewall is just one component of an overall security policy / implementation. Basically what is needed is a simple NAT box that generally keeps outsiders out, and allows authorized lab servers and workstations to access certain services out on the main building network (DNS, IMAP, POP, SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH) and through that network to the Internet (through the main building campus/network). Cost is a very important factor so suggested solutions have been: - Pay someone to set up a PC based firewall running on surplus hardware using either Fedora Core 5 and Shorewall 3.0.6 (to allow easy configuration of iptables rules). The hardware and software cost are low. The time could add up. I have considerable experience with this so this would be the lowest learning curve. Problem is Fedora with its frequent updates may make managing this more of a chore. - Pay someone to set up a a PC based firewall running on surplus hardware using either OpenBSD 3.7 or 3.8 and pf. The hardware and software cost are low. The time could add up. I have some OpenBSD experience and no pf background. - Pay someone to set up a a Linksys or D-Link broadband switch/firewall/router. The hardware cost is low. The time to set up may be minimal (Plug&Play + some common sense and provided firewall/filter capabilities). Are these a serious and secure enough solution? - Some other low cost hardware or software based alternative. What else might be out there that I don't know about that might be comparable in cost to the D-Link or Linksys options. The PC based solutions I personally have the most confidence in with respect to hand crafting a minimal OS build and hardening and patching the OS and doing rules mostly by hand. With pf there is some concern of errors introduced due to learning curve. Comments? Suggestions?
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Current thread:
- What firewall for small medical research lab rmillisl (Apr 28)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Chris Moody (Apr 28)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Michael Shum (Apr 28)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Damien Dinh (Apr 28)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Damien Dinh (Apr 28)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Chris Moody (Apr 28)