What’s New from WatchGuard: Q3 2024

Today's attackers are always a step ahead, leveraging emerging technologies for malicious gains. Staying secure feels like running on a treadmill - you're always trying to catch up. WatchGuard's Unified Security Platform® is built to evolve with threats. Our commitment to continuous innovation means you'll always have the tools to protect your business and customers. We use quarterly updates to inform you of our latest features and enhancements. With WatchGuard, you're not just buying a security solution but investing in peace of mind.

NETWORK SECURITY RELEASES

WebBlocker Override
WatchGuard now offers WebBlocker Override in Cloud-Managed Fireboxes, empowering MSPs to grant temporary access to blocked websites. Previously available on locally managed devices, this functionality brings more control to Cloud environments. Administrators can now configure overrides within WatchGuard Cloud, eliminating the need to adjust proxy settings. This is particularly valuable for partners and customers transitioning to Cloud management, allowing authorized users to bypass web restrictions without compromising firewall policies. The bypass method can be a shared passphrase or user group authentication, providing options for different security needs. Learn more

FIPS140-3 Certification
WatchGuard is committed to providing the highest level of security for your data. We're excited to announce significant progress towards FIPS 140-3 certification for several WatchGuard Firebox models, including T25, T45, T85, M290, M390, M490, M590, M4800, and M5800. FIPS 140-3 is the gold standard for cryptographic module validation, ensuring our firewalls meet the strictest government encryption requirements. This certification ensures secure data management and transfers on your network, making WatchGuard Fireboxes ideal for government deployments and organizations supporting them. While final award timing rests with government entities, submitting for FIPS allows you to proceed with opportunities requiring this compliance. Visit the NIST website to see the current status of our certification. 

Captive Portals for Fireboxes
Captive portal for a Firebox empowers operators to enforce strict network access control on guest and non-corporate networks. This feature ensures that only authorized users can connect, providing a secure gateway for guests to access the Internet without compromising internal network safety. Beyond access control, Captive Portals offer customizable branding, robust content filtering, and advanced data collection and analytics. These capabilities make them indispensable for service providers and customers, simultaneously enhancing network security and user experience. Learn more

Fireware 12.10.4 U2
Fireware 12.10.4 Update 2 is a regular maintenance update with bug fixes, vulnerability patches, and minor improvements for our Firebox firewalls. We prioritize regular maintenance releases every 6-12 weeks to provide our customers with the latest security patches and ensure system stability. As part of the improvements, administrators can now block the sources of repeated failed login attempts, enhancing security against attackers. This is significant due to the increasing frequency of brute-force attacks, and blocking suspicious IP addresses significantly strengthens your defenses. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your Firebox has the latest security features to protect sensitive data. Read the release notes. 

WATCHGUARD CLOUD FEATURES

Linked to License Allocations
Linked to License allocations simplifies license management for service providers. This new type directly connects allocations to specific activated licenses, streamlining tracking and preventing over-allocation issues. It eliminates manual updates by automatically adjusting quantities and expiration dates based on the source license, even during renewals. Additionally, it isolates tenants from broader over-allocation events and automatically manages associated Endpoint modules. This enhanced solution addresses key pain points for partners using Term licenses, offering improved traceability, protection against over-allocation, and streamlined renewal processes. This paves the way for future WatchGuard Points enhancements while providing partners with a valuable tool for efficient license management. Learn more

SECURE WI-FI RELEASES

Schedule AP Site Deployments
WatchGuard Cloud empowers operators to schedule automated deployments of new access point configurations. This eliminates the need to manually update each access point, preventing service disruptions due to simultaneous radio restarts. Operators can choose a future deployment time and determine if updates occur concurrently or sequentially across subscribed access points. This functionality is unique in the market, allowing for "set it and forget it" bulk configuration changes, especially valuable for access points often viewed primarily for network access, not just security. Learn more 

Packet Capture for Access Points
Imagine having the power to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection issues directly from your access point. With packet capture, you can do just that. Capture and download packet data from wireless and wired interfaces, customizing your capture settings. This feature brings the same troubleshooting capabilities you enjoy with Firebox to your WatchGuard Cloud, enhancing your ability to diagnose wireless problems and gather valuable network data. Learn more

THREATSYNC (XDR) RELEASES

MAC Response Actions
Empower your security teams to swiftly and effectively mitigate threats on macOS devices. Our enhanced macOS Response Actions provide a comprehensive solution for incident management, enabling operators to isolate endpoints, terminate malicious processes, and restore deleted files with precision and speed. This cross-platform consistency and real-time incident correlation ensures a unified and proactive security posture for your organization. Learn more

Comments in Incident APIs - GA Sep
ThreatSync's Public APIs for Incidents and Response Actions empower operators and analysts to integrate incident management into their existing workflows seamlessly. By enabling comments on incidents within third-party PSA, RMM, and Ticketing tools, ThreatSync enhances efficiency, collaboration, and accountability. This feature streamlines communication, ensures consistent documentation, and provides a comprehensive audit trail for incident handling, improving overall security posture and operational effectiveness. Learn more

Endpoint-based ThreatSync Scoring
WatchGuard's Endpoint-based ThreatSync Scoring empowers security teams to proactively manage and mitigate risks by providing a comprehensive view of endpoint security. By aggregating incident data, scoring endpoints, and enabling granular response actions, customers can prioritize threats effectively, reduce response time, and strengthen their overall security posture. WatchGuard's innovative approach sets it apart from competitors, offering a more targeted and efficient solution for securing endpoints in today's evolving threat landscape. Learn more

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the new features released in Q3 2024, don't hesitate to contact your local WatchGuard sales representative or visit our online Support page.