Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: What firewall for small medical research lab
From: "Steve Armstrong" <stevearmstrong () logicallysecure com>
Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 23:44:17 +0100
I would recommend the use of Smoothwall as several have already done. It is an excellent FW with low maintenance, and a reasonably low HW requirement. I run mine on a 10mb connection and even with several MODs and it being limited to a P3, I get no lag what so ever. I outlined some of the (better) MODs I have installed here http://www.logicallysecure.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42, But the best include linking the IDS (snort) to the firewall makes it an IPS, and setting the snort rules to either be single click update or auto update. With good logging and display MODs Smoothwall is an easy to set up easy to use, secure FW. Note you can also bolt in AV and content checking - I having as it stops me getting to too many 'fringe' security sites. HTH Steve A -----Original Message----- From: rmillisl () millis-it com [mailto:rmillisl () millis-it com] Sent: 27 April 2006 03:55 To: firewalls () securityfocus com; security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: What firewall for small medical research lab 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? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - This List Sponsored by: Webroot Don't leave your confidential company and customer records un-protected. Try Webroot's Spy Sweeper Enterprise(TM) for 30 days for FREE with no obligation. See why so many companies trust Spy Sweeper Enterprise to eradicate spyware from their networks. FREE 30-Day Trial of Spy Sweeper Enterprise http://www.webroot.com/forms/enterprise_lead.php ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This List Sponsored by: Webroot Don't leave your confidential company and customer records un-protected. Try Webroot's Spy Sweeper Enterprise(TM) for 30 days for FREE with no obligation. See why so many companies trust Spy Sweeper Enterprise to eradicate spyware from their networks. FREE 30-Day Trial of Spy Sweeper Enterprise http://www.webroot.com/forms/enterprise_lead.php --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab, (continued)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Beauford, Jason (May 01)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Jeff Davis (May 01)
- Re: RE: What firewall for small medical research lab rsingh36 (May 01)
- Re: RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Arunodhay Koul (May 02)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab kedearian.secuirty (May 01)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Smith, Brad (May 01)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Smith (May 01)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Arturas Zalenekas (May 01)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab chris (May 01)
- Re: Re: What firewall for small medical research lab gun_mortimer (May 02)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Steve Armstrong (May 02)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Dahate, Pramod (May 02)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Joseph (Joe) Lynn (May 02)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Beauford, Jason (May 02)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab David M. Zendzian (May 03)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Alice Bryson (May 10)
- Re: What firewall for small medical research lab Pankaj Miglani (May 12)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Nguyen, PB (May 12)
- Re: RE: What firewall for small medical research lab daryl . adams (May 15)
- RE: What firewall for small medical research lab Beauford, Jason (May 01)