Adelaide owned · IT & Digital + Web · serving SA since 2001 .AUdomains have arrived — claim yours
Cyber Security · Firewall & VPN

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.

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 — limiting 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 — not 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 We map what you have — firewalls, switches, access points, VPN — and identify what's misconfigured or outdated.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 — one team that understands the full picture.
  • Adelaide owned and operated since 2001 — 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 — things that 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.

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.

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 — and 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 (via Whosts.au), business solutions and currency equipment, all from one local team. One number to call.

What does it cost?

It depends on your size and the cover you need. We keep pricing simple and transparent, with no surprise bills — call us for a tailored quote.

Do you support businesses outside Adelaide?

Yes. We're Adelaide-based and provide remote support Australia-wide, with on-site visits across South Australia.

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 for the future — not just patch 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 — Whosts.au
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

★★★★★

"No sales spiel, no waiting in line on the phone — and always an effective, quick result when needed."

SA Construct
★★★★★

"Our IT consultant since 2010. Always quick to respond, and we're very happy with our website and every system he's maintained."

Major Real Estate
★★★★★

"They took the hassle out of setting up our restaurant — website, point of sale, even HR advice. Professional and great value. Highly recommended."

RAF Group
★★★★★

"Outstanding service since 2013 — from website design to any IT issue, always prompt and informative. I've recommended WaTo to many of my own customers."

Trymoss Engineering
★★★★★

"Their ability to grasp and apply product-specific technical process has allowed us to meet all customer KPIs."

Cummins Allison
★★★★★

"Often on-site within the hour. Knowledgeable, dependable, and he can explain IT in plain layman's terms. An incredible asset to our business."

Major Pub / Hotel
★★★★★

"As a non-geek, I appreciate that Wato's always got my back and never makes me feel I'm imposing. Local and reliable — Wato's your man!"

Mike, Mike Roberts Music
★★★★★

"We sleep easy at night knowing our data is safe and secure. Quick to act whenever we have a problem."

CRS Accessories
★★★★★

"Streamlined our medical practice IT, reduced operating costs and simplified backups. 100% quality customer service to small business."

Lasers in Medicine, Adelaide
Cummins Allison CRS Accessories Emali Early Learning Centre Trymoss Engineering SA Construct Norwood Day Surgery Glenelg Psychology Flo Medical HAIMS Health Day Lawyers Munro Property Group Mike Roberts Music Olive Tree Food & Wine PLM Wines Kitchensmith Adelaide Appliance Gallery VIP Home Services Future You

See the web work we've done →

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.

Emma Watson (née Dickenson) played a significant part in shaping what WaTo became. She brought real expertise and a clear vision for where it could go — expanding the business, bringing in new systems and fresh thinking, and raising the standard of how things are done. A great deal of what WaTo is, we owe to her.

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 work (through Whosts.au) now all sit within WaTo Consulting — one team, one standard, looking after the lot.

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