Review: Cyberoam CR1000ia

This appliance includes features such as a firewall, intrusion prevention system, gateway-based anti-virus, anti-spam, SSL VPN and web content filtering, along with application control and flexible configuration options.

Installation and deployment of this solution is simple and takes only a few minutes to get a running base configuration in place. The initial set-up is done by connecting the appliance to the network and accessing the web-based set-up wizard. The appliance can be configured to run in bridge mode as a primary gateway or transparent mode to run behind an existing router. The set-up wizard is easy to follow. When complete, a base configuration is put in place that could run well without much need for tweaking. However, this appliance is highly customisable and can be configured to meet the needs of any environment.

Aside from the base policy, this tool features many configurable controls, including a plethora of application control options. These include instant messaging (IM) controls, which allow for logging and customised security control over public IMs for communi-cation modes, including chat, file transfer and audio-video. As well, the appliance comes pre-loaded with quite a few security templates, including web security and a solid general-use policy, which can be customised. We found it to be less intuitive in certain areas, requiring us to click around a bit to learn how to create custom policies and rules.

Documentation includes a short quick-start guide along with a PDF user guide and several other supplementary documents. The quick-start guide provides the steps necessary to get the product up and running, while the user guide focuses on in-depth configuration and use of the product features.

Cyberoam includes technical support as part of the ongoing subscription cost of the appliance features. Customers can choose from many subscription options, including ongoing updates, phone and email technical assistance, hardware warranty and replacement services. In addition to phone- and email-based technical support, Cyberoam also offers online chat-based technical support. As well, customers can access no-cost support resources via the support area on the website. This area includes a knowledge base, FAQ section and other resources.

At a price just shy of c£12,000 for the fully loaded appliance with subscriptions to anti-malware, anti-spam, web and application filter and intrusion prevention system, eight-hours-a-day/five-days-a-week support, hardware warranty and returns policy for one year, we find this product to be of good value for the outlay.

The Cyberoam CR1000ia includes a lot of built-in functionality for solid gateway security at a reasonable price. Customers also can purchase specific modules à la carte to further customise cost and appliance options.

A solid, scalable product at the higher end of the price spectrum, but worth it.