User identification and the Applipedia are the most useful. The integration of the Applipedia with the application identification at layer seven makes it a very comprehensive, and secure, firewall.
Network Systems Manager with 51-200 employees
A custom script is required to put the SSL Decryption certificate into Mozilla Firefox but it is a very comprehensive and secure firewall.
What is most valuable?
How has it helped my organization?
We have the ability to see what traffic is coming and going in a much deeper and more detailed fashion. We have also found, and stopped, several malware applications before they infected the endpoints.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used it for five months.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
During initial testing we were too strict on what was allowed outbound. We ended up needing to open up more broad categories. We also found that several websites do not function well with the SSL Decryption feature. We also found that a custom script is required to put the SSL Decryption certificate into Mozilla Firefox.
Buyer's Guide
Palo Alto Networks WildFire
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Palo Alto Networks WildFire. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No the product has been very stable and reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We implemented it in a smaller environment but, find that the 3000 series has plenty of power and has the ability to grow with us as we provide north-south as well as east-west security between internal environments.
How are customer service and support?
Customer Service:
Customer service is very friendly and responsive to any request.
Technical Support:I have found the tech support to be impressive. Support agents are available 24/7, and I have never waited for more than an hour to speak with an agent. I would consider the first team you call to be equivalent to most level two or three engineers.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously we used Cisco ASA 5510 and Fortinet. Fortinet was an old version and was phased out due to this. The Cisco ASA was replaced do to the limited capability of the out of box functionality and reporting.
How was the initial setup?
Initial set-up was straightforward and easy. We were able to get both devices on the network and set-up to look at traffic within a few hours on split up time. The products complexity came from the terms and the overall thinking of how the product works.
What about the implementation team?
We did it in-house.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before choosing Palo Alto we also reviewed Cisco ASA, Fortinet, and Sophos.
What other advice do I have?
The product is straightforward to implement, though if you are looking for a quick implementation, I would suggest bringing in an expert.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Consultant at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Different deployments available, highly scalable, and plenty of features
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is completely integrated with all the other Palo Alto products. I think that it is the best part for endpoint protection. The firewall features include URL and DNS filtering, threat protection, and antivirus."
- "The threat intelligence that we receiving in the reporting was not as expected. We were expecting more. Additionally, we should be able to whitelist a specific file based on a variety of attributes."
What is our primary use case?
We are using the solution for our zero-day advanced persistent threats(APT). Additionally, we are using it as our only sole network distribution.
What is most valuable?
I have found that there are many good features found with this solution. There is the option of cloud and an on-premises version.
The service-level agreement(SLA) provides the ability to converts the unknown to the known in less than five minutes.
The environment analysis runs in multiple areas and does not just execute in one area, such as the virtual hypervisor.
The solution is completely integrated with all the other Palo Alto products. I think that it is the best part for endpoint protection. The firewall features include URL and DNS filtering, threat protection, and antivirus.
What needs improvement?
The threat intelligence that we receiving in the reporting was not as expected. We were expecting more. Additionally, we should be able to whitelist a specific file based on a variety of attributes.
In a future release, they could make the solution be a stand-alone deployment, one that does not need another Palo Alto solution and can integrate with any other solution from another company. For example, we could use this solution together with other solutions, such as Fortinet firewalls or endpoint solutions.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and reliable. Since it is on the cloud we do not have to worry about this much.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. We have approximately 400 users using the solution. We currently do not plan to increase the capacity because our maximum amount of users would be 500 users and we only have approximately 300 on-premise users at this time while the rest of them are working remotely.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have found the technical support responsive.
How was the initial setup?
Since it is a cloud-based version the setup was straightforward and easy, we just have to activate the license to use it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We are on an annual subscription. When we purchased the firewall, we had activated this solutions license for a minimum of one year. The price of the solution is fair.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Palo Alto Networks WildFire a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Buyer's Guide
Palo Alto Networks WildFire
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Palo Alto Networks WildFire. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Security Engineer at Data Consult
With this product, we receive the best monitoring and reports
Pros and Cons
- "Installing this product as a datacenter firewall for segregation and segmentation, and also configuring policies between zones has improved my organization."
- "With this product, we receive the best monitoring and reports."
- "The VPN and decryption need improvement."
- "They provide a medium level of technical support."
How has it helped my organization?
Installing this product as a datacenter firewall for segregation and segmentation, and also configuring policies between zones.
What is most valuable?
Threat Prevention and WildFire features should be enabled in Palo Alto. With this product, we receive the best monitoring and reports.
What needs improvement?
The VPN and decryption need improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No, I did not encounter any issues with Palo Alto's firewall. The product is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No, but you should do the rightsizing before buying the product.
How are customer service and technical support?
They provide a medium level of technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used Cisco. Palo Alto is better for datacenter and Cisco for perimeter.
How was the initial setup?
Straightforward to use.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
More expensive than other firewalls.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated Cisco Firepower.
What other advice do I have?
My advice is to install Palo Alto's firewall as a datacenter. You should enable the features (Threat Prevention (AS, AV, and Vulnerability Protection), File Blocking, URL Filtering, WildFire, etc.).
Palo Alto's firewall is the best firewall right now. I have used Palo Alto since 2014.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner.
Assistant Principal at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
Excellent for remote access and very stable
Pros and Cons
- "Remote access is excellent."
- "Management and web filtering can be improved. There should also be better reporting, particularly around web filtering."
What is our primary use case?
We use it for remote access and security.
What is most valuable?
Remote access is excellent.
What needs improvement?
Management and web filtering can be improved. There should also be better reporting, particularly around web filtering.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've had it for years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were using another solution. We switched for more features.
How was the initial setup?
Its initial setup is complex. It is specialized. It is not off-the-shelf stuff.
What about the implementation team?
We used a reseller. It took six months. You need two to three people for its deployment and maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It depends on the features. Additional features cost additional money as well.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution an eight out of 10.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Pre-sales manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Good Sandbox Capabilities and good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of this solution are sandbox capabilities."
- "Our main concern is that everything has to be synced with the WildFire Cloud and has to be checked through the subscription."
What is our primary use case?
We are a security company working in the security system for the banking sectors, and we're trying to penetrate through the identity and access management products for our clients.
We work with all of the Palo Alto technologies.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of this solution are sandbox capabilities.
It removes all of the potential risks that come with attached documents or any macros from the vulnerability to be extended to Wildfire and to ensure that these kinds of attachments do not contain ransomware.
What needs improvement?
Our main concern is that everything has to be synced with the WildFire Cloud and has to be checked through the subscription.
In the next release, I would like to see some integration with other products, with endpoints and management.
Also, there are too many features for the client to research.
For how long have I used the solution?
We are starting to implement it into the Egyptian market. We closed one of the deals only last month. But, we have been working with the Next Generation and WildFire since 2015.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is working fine. They have helped us a lot.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We are using Forcepoint, Palo Alto the Next Generation, Cortex, and Panorama.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
They are currently working on sandboxing for an on-premises version rather than a subscription for WildFire through the firewall.
The price is a bit higher than the other products such as TrendMicro, or FireEye.
We lost an opportunity where the client chose FireEye for the price.
What other advice do I have?
It's a very good product.
I would rate Palo Alto Networks WildFire and eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
Deputy Manager at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
The IDA and IPS system filtering provide an enhancing network and endpoint security for the client
Pros and Cons
- "High availability with active-active and active-passive modes."
- "The data analytical system for deployment needs to improve."
How has it helped my organization?
It provides the enhancing network and endpoint security for the client through its IDA and IPS system filtering.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are:
- High availability with active-active and active-passive modes.
- Redundant power input for increased reliability.
- Fan-less design.
What needs improvement?
The data analytical system for deployment needs to improve.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is excellent, I would rate it a 10/10.
How was the initial setup?
It is quite easy to set up.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing and licensing option should be categorized for various countries such as for Bangladesh.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at Forcepoint NGFW.
What other advice do I have?
Technical support is excellent and it is a promising option.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Lacking features, but good technical support, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is easy to use and the Panorama feature is good. The software management or the malware blocking and some authentication management system are good."
- "When comparing this solution to others it is not as good overall."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Palo Alto Networks WildFire as our network firewall.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution has helped our company stay secure from the security features it provides.
What is most valuable?
The solution is easy to use and the Panorama feature is good. The software management or the malware blocking and some authentication management system are good.
What needs improvement?
When comparing this solution to others it is not as good overall.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Palo Alto Networks WildFire for approximately one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Palo Alto Networks WildFire is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have found Palo Alto Networks WildFire to be scalable.
We have 10 users that use this solution. We plan to increase usage in the future.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used other similar solutions, such as HP, Checkpoint, and Fortinet.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation is not difficult and the full process took approximately two days.
What about the implementation team?
We have an internal team that did the implementation of the solution. We do some of the maintenance ourselves but if we have trouble we contact the support.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Palo Alto Networks WildFire a five out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Offers improved security with good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the improved security that it offers."
- "The price of WildFire should be reduced in order to make it more affordable for our customers."
What is our primary use case?
We are a solution provider and Palo Alto WildFire is one of the products that we implement for our customers. One of the things that we do is design firewalls for companies that need to enhance their security.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the improved security that it offers.
What needs improvement?
The price of WildFire should be reduced in order to make it more affordable for our customers.
Deployment to mobile devices should be easier.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not been in contact with technical support, although my colleagues tell me that the experience with them is very good.
How was the initial setup?
Being the solution designer, I do not have experience with the installation and setup process.
What about the implementation team?
Our in-house team is responsible for deployment and maintenance. We have a couple of engineers who are familiar with it.
What other advice do I have?
There is no one product that can give you 100% protection, but Palo Alto WildFire has some good features. Overall, WildFire is a good product and I recommend it.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
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Updated: November 2024
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Could you let me know the bandwidth before and after installation of the device. How much was the reduction in speed. How about performance in VPN ?