Why We're Switching to UniFi Firewalls Across Our MSP – And You Might Want To, Too

We just dropped a new YouTube video where we take you behind the scenes of our managed security service provider (MSP) and share the firewalls we’re deploying for clients — and more importantly, why we’ve chosen to go all in on UniFi.

This video is tailored for network administrators, MSPs, professional installers, and anyone installing a firewall into a network that’s not their own. If that sounds like you, you won’t want to miss it.

From a Patchwork of Firewalls to a Unified Ecosystem

After several M&A moves — including acquiring three MSPs and merging with a regional partner — we found ourselves with a patchwork of firewall solutions: Sophos, SonicWall, and a handful of other brands.

That fragmentation pushed us to ask a crucial question: what firewall technology should we standardize on moving forward?

After a deep dive, thorough testing, and real-world vetting, the answer was clear: UniFi.

Why UniFi?

A few years ago, the firewall was the heart of any network — a big, beefy perimeter guard for a centralized office. But COVID changed the game. Today’s environments are distributed, remote-heavy, and reliant on endpoint protection more than ever.

So, we made a strategic pivot:

• Endpoint-first security: Instead of spending heavily on firewall subscriptions, we’re investing more in EDR, MDR, and SIEM.
• Cost-effective hardware: UniFi firewalls offer powerful performance at a fraction of the cost — with minimal subscriptions.
• All-in-one management: UniFi lets us manage firewalls, switches, access points, cameras, and more — all from one pane of glass.
• Simplicity at scale: With just three models in our tech stack, our team can deploy, train on, and support them efficiently.

The 3 UniFi Firewalls We Use (And why)

We've narrowed our firewall lineup to just three models that meet the needs of our varied client base:

1. Cloud Gateway Fiber ($279)

Perfect for small offices (dentists, doctors, lawyers) that don’t have racks or extensive infrastructure. Compact, powerful, and affordable — it punches above its weight with features like UniFi Protect support and solid camera capacity.

2. Dream Machine Pro Max ($599)

Our go-to for mid-sized offices. Rack-mounted, dual spinning drives for UniFi Protect, robust throughput (5 Gbps with IDS/IPS on), and great overall value. Most of our clients land here.

3. Enterprise Fortress Gateway ($1999)

The big gun. We deploy this in data centers and large campuses. It offers hot-swappable power supplies, SSL inspection, real-time URL filtering, and insane throughput (12.5 Gbps). Also ideal for our private cloud environments.

Standardizing the Tech Stack: A Hidden Superpower

Here’s a big lesson we’ve learned: less is more.

By reducing the number of firewall models we use:

• We can inventory replacements and respond to failures in one truck roll.
• Our techs learn one interface and set of capabilities.
• Procurement becomes painless — we keep what we need in stock.
• Troubleshooting becomes faster, easier, and more consistent.

Bonus Tip: Train Your Staff with UniFi at Home

UniFi’s affordability lets us put training into the hands of our team — literally.

We’re giving firewalls to our Level 2 techs (and eventually all staff) to use at home. Same UI, same capabilities, just scaled down. It’s a low-cost way to train your team on real-world gear they’ll use daily.

Final Thoughts

Our shift to UniFi is about more than saving money — it’s about aligning with the modern, distributed, endpoint-first security landscape.

Whether you’re thinking about standardizing your stack, refreshing hardware, or just want to hear an MSP’s real-world take — check out the full video for a deep dive.

Click here to watch this YouTube video!

If you are interested in hiring us to manage your IT infrastructure, please reach out to us here.