Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: What firewall for small medical research lab
From: "Damien Dinh" <DDinh () sycuan com>
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:10:23 -0700
IMHO, I would personally stay away from re-commissioned hardware to be used as a primary perimeter protection device. The availability component of the CIA triad will surely be impacted through hardware failure. Additionally, configuring IPtables and OS hardening can be time consuming and an ongoing headache because you have to check the rules frequently due. OS updates add complexity as well. Your best solution is to get a PIX 501 ($300-$400); it does full stateful inspection (same function as their enterprise fw) with 4 interfaces to section out your network. It even has VPN. I have used this product for branch offices of up to 50 users and it's pretty much set and forget (almost - need to updates code once in a while). Cisco has an awesome forum on their site that product developers and CCIE frequently answers any questions you may have. Hope this helps, Damien Dinh MSNS, GSEC -----Original Message----- From: rmillisl () millis-it com [mailto:rmillisl () millis-it com] Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 7:55 PM 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)