In selecting an outsourcer, take the opportunity to draw on the service provider's experience to fine-tune your security. As part of your outsourcing research, try to gauge the provider's expertise by talking to other customers and asking about employees' experience and training. Also, use caution in developing a security plan and communicate clearly defined business requirements to the vendor when outsourcing. Remember that firewall security also involves any trading partners who access your network via an extranet or intranet. Centrally locating the firewall at the WAN provider's premises lets the service provider maintain it in a secure facility, eliminating the need to send field technicians to the site to make changes.
Someone needs to take action.
With regard to pricing, our aforementioned RFP shows that there may not be a huge difference in price. Managing your own firewall makes sense when you have the resources and skills in-house. For smaller shops that lack the resources to devote to firewall management, outsourcing can be a cost-effective alternative. The entire staff of Network Computing extends their thoughts and prayers to the victims of this nationwide tragedy, their families and friends. Our support also goes to everyone working in the recovery efforts.