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?
