Firewall       Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Firewall      

What is a firewall?
Why do I need a firewall?
I have a small business, why would any one want to access my network?
What type of firewall solution does PowerUser provide?
Where is the firewall box placed?
Is anyone monitoring my network against an attack?
What can a firewall solution protect against?
Does the firewall protect my network from viruses?
Can I restrict web access so users can't view sites unrelated to work?

What is a firewall?
A firewall can be thought of in terms of blocking and permitting certain traffic into and out of your network. Firewalls keep your Internet connection as secure as possible by inspecting and then approving or rejecting each connection attempt made between your internal network and the Internet.  A personal firewall on your network acts like a doorman in your apartment building, it lets only the traffic in that has been approved.

Why do I need a firewall?
Direct Internet connections make it easy for hackers to exploit private networks.

When you connect your private network to the Internet, you are connecting your network directly to literally thousands of other networks all attached to the Internet. Hackers are the reason why you need a firewall connected to your network.  Hackers can range from curious students out for the thrill of breaking into your network to corporate spies, or former employees.  New hacking tools allow users to probe thousands of Internet Protocol addresses at a time. Once a hacker finds a single IP address from your business, they have total access to your network.

I have a small business, why would any one want to access my network?
Today’s hackers are counting on businesses to believe they are too small for a network attack.   Even if a hacker wipes out your corporate resources, the potential loss of data and business productivity due to a network intrusion more than justify the cost of a firewall.  You are surfing the web at your own risk unless you make plans to protect your network.   A hacker can erase all of the important information that you have stored on your desktop or shared server.   Imagine coming into work one day and having your customer names, phone numbers, or other sensitive information erased from your network.  Do you have confidential customer information or credit card numbers stored on your network?   If your network is attacked, hackers can use all of your confidential information.  You and your customers will victims of cybercrime. 

What type of firewall solution does PowerUser provide?
We provide comprehensive security for our customers and continually strive to offer the most advanced protection and value to protect you and your data.

Where is the firewall box placed?
The security appliance sits at the boundary between a corporate LAN and the Internet providing secure, high-speed access for communication between branches of a company, remote users, partners, and customers.  Users are authenticated and data is encrypted within the security appliance as data is moved over the Internet. 

Is anyone monitoring my network against an attack?
PowerUser monitors the security appliance from our Network Operations Center and can makes changes to the configuration immediately upon your request.  PowerUser owns and manages the firewall security device, which means that you do not have to worry about being stuck with outdated equipment, software upgrades, or lack of compatibility with other equipment.  Your internal IT personnel can be freed up to focus on your core business.

What can a firewall solution protect against?
PowerUser's firewall protects your network from unauthenticated and unauthorized logins from the "outside" world. It monitors traffic coming to your network from the outside, and block that which is not supposed to be there. It allows your network users to communicate freely with the outside world.

Does the firewall protect my network from viruses?
Firewalls do not protect networks or computers from viruses. The best way to address the threat of viruses is to install virus-scanning software on every desktop.

Can I restrict web access so users can't view sites unrelated to work?
Yes, as part of the initial set-up process, our service technicians will ask you what “policies” you want configured on the firewall.  If there are certain web sites you want blocked, PowerUser will configure the firewall exactly the way you want it.  Customer support technicians can also assist you with any policy changes that you want done to the firewall.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

What is a Virtual Private Network?
How would I benefit from a Virtual Private Network?
How do I implement a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to my network?
Are my competitors implementing Virtual Private Networks?
How much could I save by having PowerUser implement a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for my business?
Will my telecommuters be able to connect to our Network?
How long will it take to add additional connections to our Virtual Private Network?
What happens if one of my employees leaves the organization?
Why should PowerUser manage my Virtual Private Network?
What level of support will I receive from PowerUser?

What is a Virtual Private Network?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a simple means of extending your corporate network for telecommuters and remote users to connect back to your network. Thus eliminating expensive telephone dial up charges.  Virtual Private Networks (VPN) are also utilized to replace expensive leased lines that connect your Local Area Networks (LAN).  Virtual Private Networks can be used as a vehicle to extend your corporate network to other locations around the globe.  A Virtual Private Network can be thought of as a private network that works over the public Internet. A Virtual Private Network is fully secure.

How would I benefit from a Virtual Private Network?
A Virtual Private Networks can be used to replace the expensive dedicated leased lines that connect your local area networks.  A Virtual Private Network gives you anywhere to anywhere connectivity at a fraction of the cost as hard-wired leased line networks.  In addition, it may take up to 3 months to add an additional leased line to your network.  A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be done in a matter of minute.  If your organization has telecommuters and remote users, most likely they are dialing into your network.  By utilizing Virtual Private Networks (VPN), it will save your organization dollars associated with expensive telephone dial up costs.

How do I implement a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to my network?
In order to implement a corporate Virtual Private Network, PowerUser will install a firewall/VPN box at each of your locations that you want to connect.   For your telecommuters and remote users, PowerUser will provide remote client software to download on home computers and laptops. 

Are my competitors implementing Virtual Private Networks?
Research has shown by the year 2002, 51% of small businesses, 55% of medium businesses, and 57% of large businesses plan to deploy Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

How much could I save by having PowerUser implement a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for my business?
Infonetics Research Inc. estimates that network managers can save up to 40% for domestic site-to-site networks by replacing leased lines with a Virtual Private Network and up to 80% for telecommuter access.  Virtual Private Networks (VPN’)s allow your network managers to cost-effectively increase the size of your corporate network.

Will my telecommuters be able to connect to our Network?
Remote users such as employees that work from home or on the road will be able to easily and securely access your corporate network.

How long will it take to add additional connections to our Virtual Private Network?
Additional VPN connections can be set up and taken down in minutes compared to weeks associated with adding or changing frame relay services.

What happens if one of my employees leaves the organization?
Notify PowerUser immediately and we will disconnect the Virtual Private Network (VPN) link immediately.

Why should PowerUser manage my Virtual Private Network?
With the PowerUser VPN solution, you are not required to invest and maintain the VPN equipment.   PowerUser can add any additional Virtual Private Network (VPN) locations right from our office without dispatching personal to your location.  PowerUser will integrate the VPN service with our core network Quality of Service Capabilities.  The PowerUser solution is a full-featured integrated VPN gateway that can securely transport data over public networks.

What level of support will I receive from PowerUser?
PowerUser managed security offerings include on-site needs assessment, device configuration, installation, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance. We will know immediately of any security problems. In addition to online support tools, our highly trained Customer Support Technicians are available to answer questions.