[Full-Disclosure] Re: Appliance-based security gateway?

[Eric Scher <ericscher@xxxxxxx>]

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A few colleagues and I started a discussion as to why 
one should or shouldn't buy an appliance-based firewall, 
ids/ips or other security appliance instead of installing 
software on a server. 

We thought about patching, performance, and other 
reason for each option but I'd like to hear what other 
people think.

I would really appreciate if you could share your 
thoughts with me.

Thanks in advance,

Bernardo Santos Wernesback

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Ultimately, anything you place at the edge is going to be an appliance.
Maybe it'll be something by Cisco, perhaps a decommission desktop 
running IP Tables, or even one of those fancy new boxes that's supposed
to make life easy for inexperienced admins. It's still essentially an appliance.

But what to use?  That's really the essence of the question.

I saw a car show many years ago that was doing a segment waxing,
and the host asked his guest what he recommends. 
The guest replied; "Whatever you're actually going to use"
The best wax in the world wont protect your car if it sits on the shelf.
The worst wax WILL protect your car, if it's actualy ON the car.

So for those admins that feel comfortable with something that requires a lot of
interaction, and have the time for it, then one of the more user intensive and 
complex
choices would be better. 

If not, get something that will make your life easier, because a security 
solution only
secures you when it's being used.

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