Adelaide owned and operated, IT & Digital + Web since 2001→

Firewall, VPN and network security in Adelaide

A firewall that was set up three years ago and never touched since isn't protecting much. We configure, monitor and manage your network security properly: firewalls with current rules, VPNs that actually work for your remote team, and network segmentation that limits the damage if something does get through. All looked after by one Adelaide team.

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On-site work from $180 an hour, Adelaide metro travel included. Remote work from $115 an hour. See all our prices

The short answer

Network security for a business means a properly configured firewall, a working VPN for remote staff and segmentation that keeps guest Wi-Fi and smart devices away from business systems. WaTo Consulting sets these up for Adelaide businesses, usually out of hours, then keeps firmware current and reviews the rules as the business changes.

What is network security?

Network security is the collection of tools and configurations that control what traffic enters and leaves your business network, and who can access what inside it. At the core is your firewall, the gatekeeper that filters traffic based on rules you set. A VPN lets your remote staff connect securely as if they were in the office. Together with network segmentation and access controls, they form the boundary that keeps your business data where it belongs.

What we set up and manage

Firewall configuration

Business-grade firewalls set up with rules that actually match your business, not factory defaults with everything open.

VPN for remote access

Secure connections for remote and hybrid workers so they can access business systems from anywhere without exposing your network.

Network segmentation

Your network divided so that a compromised device in one area can't reach everything else. That limits the blast radius.

Intrusion prevention

Traffic inspected for known attack patterns and blocked automatically before it reaches your servers or workstations.

Firewall monitoring & updates

Firmware kept current, rules reviewed regularly and alerts watched, rather than installed and forgotten.

Guest & IoT isolation

Visitor Wi-Fi and smart devices kept on separate networks so they can't touch your business systems.

Who it's for

  • Businesses whose firewall was set up by the last IT person and hasn't been reviewed since.
  • Companies with remote or hybrid workers who need secure access to internal systems.
  • Organisations with compliance requirements around network controls and access management.
  • Adelaide businesses with multiple sites, guest Wi-Fi or IoT devices that need proper segmentation.

How it works

  1. Review your current network. We map what you have (firewalls, switches, access points, VPN) and identify what's misconfigured or outdated.
  2. Design the right setup. We recommend hardware and configuration based on your actual needs, not the most expensive option.
  3. Deploy and configure. Firewalls, VPN and segmentation set up properly, usually out of hours so your team isn't affected.
  4. Ongoing management. Firmware updates, rule changes and monitoring handled by us so your network stays secure as things change.
  5. Regular reviews. We check your firewall rules and network configuration periodically to make sure they still match how your business operates.

Why WaTo for network security

  • We manage your firewall and your network, so one team understands the full picture.
  • Adelaide owned and operated since 2001, with local support when you need changes or something goes wrong.
  • We configure to Australian standards and ACSC recommendations, not just vendor defaults.
  • VPN and remote access set up to work properly on day one, not half-working with workarounds.
  • Honest advice on hardware. We recommend what fits your business, not what earns the biggest margin.

Network security questions

Do we need a business firewall if we already have a router?

Your ISP router has basic filtering but it's not designed for business security. A proper firewall gives you granular traffic control, intrusion prevention, VPN support and logging, which all matter when you're protecting client data and business systems.

Can you set up VPN for our remote workers?

Yes. We configure VPN so your team can securely access files, apps and systems from home or on the road, with the same protections as being in the office. We handle the setup on both ends.

How often should firewall rules be reviewed?

At least every six months, or whenever your business changes (new staff, new applications, office moves). Rules that made sense two years ago often don't reflect how you work today.

What firewall brands do you work with?

We work with several business-grade platforms including Fortinet, SonicWall and others. We recommend based on your needs and budget, not vendor partnerships.

Guides on this topic

Ready to get your network sorted?

Let us take a look at your current setup and tell you what's working, what isn't and what it would take to fix it.

Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm

No two businesses are the same, so nothing we do is off-the-shelf. Every solution is built around yours, and kept simple.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do your plans and pricing work?

Whatever suits you: a fixed contract, a monthly retainer, prepaid blocks of hours, or simple hourly rates. You pick the model that fits your business, and we keep it transparent with no surprise bills.

How quickly do you respond?

Fast. You talk to a real person, not a call queue. For urgent issues we're often on-site within the hour across Adelaide, with remote support Australia-wide.

Do you only do IT support?

No. IT & Digital, cyber security, websites & hosting, business solutions and currency equipment, all from one local team. One number to call.

What does it cost?

Managed IT is typically $80 to $200 per user per month. One-off help is $115 an hour remote or $180 an hour on site. Prices are ex GST. See our rates.

Do you support businesses outside Adelaide?

Yes. We're Adelaide-based with on-site visits across South Australia, remote support Australia-wide, and we fly in to clients in Darwin, Brisbane and elsewhere for planned work.

Will you work with our existing IT person?

Absolutely. We often co-manage, taking on monitoring, security and after-hours cover alongside your in-house team.

Why we're different

Not your typical IT company

We keep it simple, and fix things so they stay fixed, instead of patching them today.

A typical IT company
WaTo Consulting
You wait in a call queue
A real person on the WaTo team answers
One rigid plan, take it or leave it
Contract, retainer, blocks or hourly: your choice
Patch it today, deal with it again later
Fix the root cause, and what it could cause next
Jargon and over-engineering
Kept simple and explained in plain English
IT only, you juggle other vendors
IT, cyber, web, business & currency under one roof
Hosting resold from someone else
Our own Australian hosting, run by us
WaTo character, happy to help

Still not sure what you need?

Tell us what's slowing you down and we'll point you to the right fix. You're a partner, not a client.

Call (08) 7123 0805 Email info@wato.com.au
Why clients choose us

Trusted by Adelaide business since 2001

The WaTo team
Real people in Adelaide, not a call queue
  1. SA Construct · client from day one
    Our whole IT structure is with WaTo Consulting for the simple reason that there's no sales spiel, no waiting in line on the phone, and always an effective, quick result when needed.
  2. Wato

    From day one and still going 🤝

  3. Enzo's at Home · client since 2001
    WaTo has been assisting our company since 2001. Always punctual, trustworthy, honest, and can be relied on to get the job done.
  4. Wato

    Time flies when you're having fun 🙌

  5. Real estate business · client from 2010
    WaTo looked after IT for our property management business from 2010. We grew dramatically in that time and WaTo was instrumental in keeping all our IT in order, with smooth upgrades.
  6. Alyx

    Loved being part of the growth 📈

  7. Hospitality venue
    In a busy, large hospitality venue with constant IT issues, WaTo is an incredible asset. If WaTo's called with an issue, they're often here within the hour.
  8. Lee

    On my way 🚗

  9. Accounting practice
    WaTo has been invaluable in moving us from Outlook to Gmail and teaching us the other Google products. Friendly, approachable and easily understood. We've even brought WaTo in to help one of our own clients migrate.
  10. Lee

    Happy to help your clients too 🤝

  11. CRS · client since 2011
    Our data is the backbone of our company, and we sleep easy at night knowing it's safe and secure. Whenever we have an IT problem, WaTo understands how crippling downtime is and is quick to act.
  12. Alyx

    Backups checked. Sleep easy 😴

  13. Lasers in Medicine
    WaTo's IT expertise streamlined our medical practice, reduced operating costs and simplified our backups. 100% quality customer service to small business.
  14. Wato

    Small business is our thing 💪

  15. Engineering company
    Wato, or "DJ WaTo" as he's known to us, has become like family. He always goes above and beyond, with a few good solutions to our ever-demanding needs.
  16. Wato

    🎧 DJ WaTo, at your service

  17. City cafe, multiple locations
    WaTo set up our point of sale and internet. They always answered my calls and could even troubleshoot problems over the phone. Very professional. Thank you, WaTo!
  18. Lee

    Always happy to pick up 📞

  19. Printing industry · client since 2013
    Our business relies on discipline and attention to detail, which is exactly why we've relied on WaTo since 2013. Their knowledge and personal attention give us peace of mind in every area of our operation.
  20. Alyx

    Detail is our thing too 🔍

  21. Genmed 480
    We feel extremely lucky to have WaTo look after our computers. Easy to talk with, explains things in plain terms instead of jargon, and never pushes us to upgrade to the latest and greatest.
  22. Lee

    No jargon, promise 🙂

  23. Alex, 30 Acres · client since 2021
    If you're anything like us, IT is very daunting! WaTo took away the hassle and stress of setting up our brand new restaurant and installed our point of sale. Timely, efficient and a reasonable price. Highly recommended!
  24. Wato

    30 Acres, still the freshest food ever! 🍽️

  25. AV industry
    WaTo delivers for our standard office admin and as a consultant for integrating audio, visual and lighting products into the IT world. Problems are dealt with swiftly to avoid downtime.
  26. Lee

    Lights, camera, uptime 🎬

  27. Cummins Allison (CPI) · client since 2014
    Their ability to grasp and apply product-specific technical process has allowed us to meet all customer KPIs and offer value-added services.
  28. Alyx

    KPIs met. Keep counting 💵

  29. Allied health practice
    When the medical diary crashes, that's an all-out emergency. It happened three times in one year, and each time WaTo fixed it in under 10 minutes. Personal, reliable and fast.
  30. Alyx

    Diary's back up ✅

  31. Sports industry · client since 2015
    We've used WaTo since 2015. Before that, other providers made things difficult. WaTo is prompt, upfront and very reliable, and has saved us heaps!
  32. Lee

    Glad we could save you heaps 💸

  33. Sole owner-operator
    WaTo moved my site to a new server and set up secure, reliable email and hosting, so I could get on with what I do best. I'd send anyone to WaTo for all their wizardry needs.
  34. Wato

    Wizardry on tap 🪄

  35. Recreation industry
    WaTo did an amazing job setting up the audio and visual in our new business, and fantastic work migrating email accounts and managing our domains. Service is A+.
  36. Lee

    A+ right back at you ⭐

  37. Small home business
    Doesn't matter how small your business is, we all need help with IT and digital. WaTo makes me feel like BIG business.
  38. Alyx

    Small business, big support 🚀

  39. Mike Roberts
    As a non-geek, I appreciate that WaTo's always got my back and never makes me feel I'm imposing when I ring out of hours. Looking for someone local and reliable? WaTo's who you call!
  40. Wato

    Anytime, Mike 👍

Who we work with

Our story

Built in Adelaide, since 2001

WaTo Consulting was founded by John Watson in Adelaide in 2001. Over two decades it's earned a name for tailored work across a wide range of industries, helping businesses of every size run more smoothly, work more efficiently and grow steadily, without blowing the budget or disrupting the day-to-day. Rumour has it the story starts much earlier, with a young Wato on his grandfather's knee in front of a Commodore 64, learning to code in BASIC.

Emma Watson (née Dickenson) was part of the story for a stage along the way. She brought real estate and property management expertise, and a clear view of where the business could go: growing it, bringing in new systems and fresh thinking, and lifting the standard of how things are done. WaTo has been through plenty of shapes and stages since, but one thing she helped sharpen has never changed: being consistent for the client is a must.

Today it's all tailored, never off-the-shelf: IT & Digital, Business & Web Hosting, built around what each client actually needs. Over the years those areas have come together under one roof: our IT & Digital, Currency, Business and Web Hosting work now all sit within WaTo Consulting. One team, one standard, looking after the lot.

When you work with us, you're a partner, not just a client.

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