April 23, 2025
0 Comments

Why Buying Firewalls and APs Is Outdated in 2025

Hey, have you noticed how fast tech changes these days? In my 15+ years working in cybersecurity, one thing’s clear: holding on to hardware like firewalls and access points (APs) just doesn’t make sense anymore. If you’re still buying and owning these devices outright, you’re handing yourself more headaches than benefits. Here’s why.

Speed of Change: The Real Game Changer

Remember the days when a firewall bought today would last you 5 years? Yeah, me too. But those days are gone. Tech now evolves at lightning speed, and security threats keep shifting right alongside.

New vulnerabilities pop up every day. Cybercriminals don’t wait for your hardware refresh cycle.
Regular software updates alone aren’t enough. Your device needs the underlying hardware muscle for new features.
End-of-life (EOL) for devices quickens. What was cutting-edge last year – obsolete today.

In my years of incident response, I’ve seen breaches happen because outdated firewalls simply couldn’t keep up. You don’t want your security set to “vintage mode.”

Feature Gaps in Old Devices

Try running the latest Fortinet firmware on a 5-year-old firewall. Spoiler: It probably won’t work or will be super slow. This is a classic problem.

Legacy hardware lacks support for modern protocols. Think TLS 1.3 or advanced VPN encryption.
New AI-powered threat detection requires newer chips. Older gear just can’t handle the compute.
Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E APs offer better speed and security. Your 802.11ac devices feel ancient in comparison.

I learned this the hard way when a client insisted on using their decade-old APs. Result? Network performance sucked, and their risk increased.

Risk of Obsolescence: A Hidden Liability

Owning hardware means you’re stuck when it gets old or unsupported. Here’s the thing:

Security vendors drop patches for older models. No patches = no protection.
Compliance failures can cause fines. Regulations want current, supported tech.
Replacements mean big capital expenses. Not simple upgrades but full forklift replacements.

Think of it like driving a car with no spare tires and patchy brakes. Sure, you can drive, but it’s only a matter of time before something breaks.

PJ Networks’ Rental Model: The Smarter Way Forward

Now here’s the silver lining. There’s a smarter way to get the latest Fortinet firewalls and APs without owning them outright. PJ Networks offers a subscription-style rental model that makes a huge difference.

Get next-gen Fortinet firewalls and APs on a monthly rental. No hefty upfront costs.
Stay current with upgrade options. Whenever a new model comes out, you can switch without sweating a big purchase.
Always have devices with the latest security features. No feature gaps, no obsolescence.
Easier budget management. Monthly rentals simplify spending and forecasting.

I tell my clients all the time: it’s like leasing a car with maintenance included – you drive the best tech without owning all the risks.

Real Talk: Why Renting Beats Buying

Here’s why renting makes sense from my experience:

Flexibility: Need more APs during a busy season? Just rent more. No buying new gear.
Less downtime: PJ Networks handles hardware failures or replacements fast.
Focus on security, not hardware: Spend your IT time on threat detection and response instead of device upkeep.
Scales with your business: Growing or shrinking? Renting adapts.

I recall a company hit by a sudden malware outbreak. They needed firewall upgrades fast. Those owning hardware scrambled to source devices, while clients renting from PJ Networks were upgraded within days. Big difference.

What This Means for Your Business Today

If you’re still buying firewalls and APs just because we always do it, it’s time to rethink. The tech world won’t wait.

Assess your current hardware. Are they running the latest patches? Do they support new security protocols?
Calculate total cost of ownership. Include upgrades, support, downtime, compliance risks.
Explore rental models like PJ Networks’ offering. Monthly rentals with upgrade options aren’t just convenient—they’re strategic.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, owning firewalls and APs outright in 2025 can be a straight path to outdated security and costly replacements. The speed of change in tech, feature gaps in old devices, and risks of obsolescence all point to the same answer: renting next-gen Fortinet firewalls and APs with flexible upgrade options is the way to go.

The interesting thing about this attack vector is it exploits the weakest link – often legacy hardware. Don’t let yourself be that weak link.

Make your security resilient and future-proof. Consider PJ Networks, where you get the latest network security gear via monthly rental, freeing you from ownership headaches and letting you focus on what really matters: protecting your business.

Key Takeaways

Technology evolves too fast to own firewalls and APs long-term.
Old devices miss out on vital security features and can’t keep up with threats.
Owning hardware risks obsolescence, compliance failure, and expensive replacements.
Renting from PJ Networks provides flexibility, latest tech, and predictable costs.
Upgrading to a rental model keeps your security strong and your budget sane.

Ready to move past outdated ownership? Renting next-gen Fortinet firewalls and APs from PJ Networks might just be your best next step.