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Chip Shortages & Firewalls: What You Need To Know

Why Is There A Shortage Of Firewall Inventory & Other Network Security Products

Since 2020, we’ve seen the global supply chain get disrupted, which in turn created shortages of products in most sectors. Although network security products have been readily available, we are now seeing shortages in firewall inventory and other network security products as well. The primary reason for the shortage in firewall inventory is because of their internal electrical components. Firewalls – like other electronic devices – require electronic chips to function. Currently there is a backlog of orders and supply is tight for electronic chips. In turn, that limits the manufacturing of all electrical products including firewalls.

The Electronic Chip Shortage Explained

Electronic chip production has long played a major role in day-to-day life, as these chips make so many everyday items tick. These chips are used in phones, alarm clocks, cars, computers, and TVs to name just a few essentials. Fast forward to 2020, and manufacturing delays show how these electronic chips may have been taken for granted. By now, it is clear how important these products are to daily life and how hard things can sometimes be without them.

Electronic chip factories, mostly located in Taiwan, were not immune to the global effects of the pandemic, which led to downtime in production. Since most manufacturing – like the rest of the world – came to a halt for awhile, these factories also had their supply of raw goods limited as well. One could simply say that the shortage of electronic chips is due to the downtime of factories and their inability to receive raw materials needed for production.

When Will Electronic Chip Production Improve

With electronic chip demand being as high as it is and continuous delays in production, the world is in the midst of a widespread supply shortage. In turn, products – like firewalls – that require these chips have slowed down in production because they simply won’t work without them. Until backorders catch up and a steady supply of electronic chips returns, manufacturers will likely continue to experience inventory issues with firewalls and other network security products.

The condition will simply improve with time and continuous production. At the moment, there is still a massive backlog of orders with the ever increasing weight of growing demand for electronic goods. If factories stay open and chip prioritization continues, this issue should solve itself moving forward. As far a timeline for when this will end, the future is murky. But conditions do look better ahead than in the rear view mirror.

Who Has Firewalls In-Stock & How To Check Their Inventory

It’s important for buyers to know that not everyone who sells firewalls or network security products has the same access to inventory or variety of products. Here at Firewalls.com, we are top tier partners with all of the manufacturers we sell, which gives us better access than most. With that being said, there are still products that may simply be unavailable. We suggest reaching out to our team of certified experts and telling them about your needs.  Rest assured, we’ll work with you to find the right solution. Give us a call at 317-225-4117 or browse our inventory at Firewalls.com.

The Firewalls.com Threat Dictionary: Know Your Enemy

Meet the Firewalls.com Threat Dictionary

Network security education & firewall know-how are essential to our modus operandi here at Firewalls.com. Cyber security doesn’t stop at choosing the right appliance or service subscription. Small businesses can benefit greatly from understanding the types of threats they face on a daily basis. Recognizing how breaches happen, where vulnerabilities occur, and how best to prevent them can arm even tech newbies with the knowledge to keep their data secure.

That’s why Firewalls.com developed our new Threat Dictionary. Any frequent follower will have noticed the addition of a new tab on our humble blog’s top navigation row.  Our Threat Dictionary provides digestible overviews of the most common security threats so that firewall admins and small business owners know exactly what they’re dealing with. Plus, we tell you which security solutions are built to address each threat!

Firewalls Threat Dictionary

 

We cover topics from Advanced Persistent Threats to Zero-Day Exploits, and everything in between. We’ll continually expand our library of security threats so that you’re always well-informed about the latest perils to your data!

View the Firewalls.com Threat Dictionary

Looking for More Network Security Wisdom?

We’ve got a ton of great content to consume if you’re looking to boost your security savvy.  Check out some of the additional resources we’ve whipped up for you below:

Cyber Security Glossary – Learn the lingo of cyber security with our Cyber Security Glossary. Unpack the abbreviations so you can talk tech with the best of ’em.

Configuration QuickStart Checklist – Looking to tackle a configuration yourself? Do-It-Yourselfers and Consultants rejoice, this checklist from Firewalls.com will be there every step of the journey. In-depth setting options assist you in leaving no stone unturned.

Firewall Buyers Guides – If you’re shopping for SonicWall, Sophos, or Fortinet firewalls, but want a bit more info about bundle options or series comparisons, our buyer’s guides are built for you. Demystify the brand terms and get a clear picture of the products you’re purchasing.

Firewalls.com YouTube Channel – We break down the features of some of our best-selling firewalls, provide step-by-step tutorials for solving some of your biggest security puzzles, and give greater depth to some of our blog content. Subscribe for regular updates!

No More Wizards! Get the Firewalls.com Configuration QuickStart Checklist

Unrivaled Network Security. It’s no magic trick. Stopping 2021’s top threats means more than just a slick next-gen appliance. It means deploying a detailed and thorough configuration touching on dozens of unique settings, complex hierarchies, and strategic arrangements of resources. How you manage your firewall is just as important as which brand or model you choose, so you can’t afford to short yourself with the setup wizard. According to Gartner, 99% of successful network breaches can be attributed to a misconfiguration of the firewall. It’s time to blow away the smoke and mirrors.

If You Want Something Done Right

You want to try DIY, but maybe you’re not the GOAT with the NSA series. If you’re switching to new tech or just haven’t tackled a config project in a while, you may be surprised by all the advanced new features and options available on next-generation firewalls like the FortiGate-100E with built-in SPUs or how the SFOS 17.5 firmware release handles clientless SSO through Sophos Central. While you may be tempted to bridge a knowledge gap with the pre-packaged configuration wizard, there’s just not a whole lot there when you look behind the curtain.

In fact, the setup wizard is one of the culprits behind some of the most common mistakes even experienced professionals make when configuring their firewalls. We went over seven missteps that we see most often in the video below. Watch if you’re feeling lucky.

To give you another reason to say “No” to the configuration wizard, Firewalls.com is providing a free copy of our Firewall Configuration QuickStart Checklist! This in-depth checklist assists with every step of the configuration process from start to finish. If you choose to tackle your firewall config in-house, follow along with our checklist to make sure you’re not missing out on any of the advanced capabilities your appliance can perform. The checklist includes:

  • 17 Pages of Settings, Documentation, & Helpful Configuration Tips
  • User Group Hierarchy Tables & Network Application Logs
  • In-Depth Overview of WAN, LAN, & Guest Wireless Setting Options
  • Advanced Security Feature Lists
  • Options for Managed Security Services, Support, & Custom Solutions

Make sure you never miss a step by following along with the Firewalls.com Configuration QuickStart Checklist. Every setting, big or small, can be the deciding factor that determines whether you’re a victor or a victim. Download the checklist free and say “No” to the setup wizard!

 

No More Wizards. Get the Firewall Configuration QuickStart Checklist from Firewalls.com

 

If You Want Something Done Flawlessly

Want to skip the config headache completely? Firewalls.com has the credentials to write the guide on firewall configurations because our expert team of top-tier certified network engineers has been perfectly configuring SonicWall, Sophos, Fortinet, WatchGuard, and Barracuda firewalls for literal decades! Each year, we process hundreds of end-to-end firewall configurations out of our Security Operations Center in Indianapolis. Real, local certified security experts work one-on-one with you to take on the unique demands of your network. Whether you’re looking for a highly available network with built-in redundancy or a super smart appliance backed by machine learning, our engineers have the skills and experience to get the job done while you focus on more productive tasks.

Don’t rely on cheap tricks. Say “No” the Configuration Wizard with a Firewalls.com Custom Configuration or follow along with the Firewall Configuration QuickStart Checklist.

2018 Fortinet Buyer’s Guide

Fortinet, Defined

FortiGate? FortiWifi? FortiRugged? FortiFabric? What feels like forty-million options offered by the Fortinet product catalog can be a turn-off for small business owners looking to make the wisest investment in their cybersecurity. Unfortunately, this deters many organizations from getting their hands on one of the greatest product lines in the security industry. Fortinet consistently rocks benchmark tests, with their super smart FortiGate series of next gen firewalls winning massive praise from the likes of Gartner and NSS Labs. Don’t miss out on great security solutions; download our Fortinet Buyer’s Guide!

Here’s a FortiFact: In 2018, Fortinet reported LOWEST total cost of ownership among 10 brands tested by NSS Labs. (Just $2 per secured Mbps—compare to Check Point’s whopping $57 per Mbps)

Marked as a Leader in Gartner’s 2017 Magic Quadrant for Next Gen Firewalls, Fortinet has been making waves with their E-Series firewalls featuring dedicated security content processors, their FortiRugged outdoor appliances, and FortiWifi devices with built-in wireless access points. So how can a consumer with little to no Fortinet knowledge conquer this big, bad maze of killer options?

Another FortiFact: The FortiGate NGFW blocked 100% of the evasions that testers at NSS Labs threw at it.

Meet the Firewalls.com Fortinet Buyer’s Guide

Meet the Buyers Guide -- Comic drawn by Kat at Firewalls.com. Email us and we'll force her to draw one for your too!

In the pages of our short PDF Fortinet buyer’s guide, you’ll find helpful tables and definitions that demystify the catalog and examine the golden threads Fortinet spun into their FortiFabric.

More FortiFacts: FortiFabric is an end-to-end suite of security appliances, services, and licenses. Together, Fortinet’s integrated services outperform piece-by-piece security patchworks deployed by many organizations…

What Does the Fortinet Buyer’s Guide Include?

Recommended Users Counts

Glossary of Fortinet Terms

Service Definitions

Product Series Overviews

Follow-up Info on Buying Options

Third-Party Testing Reports

 

 

 

 

Get Your Copy of the Fortinet Buyer’s Guide!