The managed firewall services market has experienced unprecedented growth, as cyber threats targeting small and mid-sized businesses have increased by 43% year-over-year nationally. Recent data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that 64% of companies with fewer than 100 employees lack adequate firewall protection, creating a critical gap in America’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Our comprehensive analysis of 247 managed service providers across the United States reveals significant pricing variations based on company size, industry-specific compliance requirements, and geographic location, with costs ranging from $295 to over $1,650 per month, depending on the specific security needs.
Get a personalized security assessment or custom quote today.
Get a Quote
Methodology
- Our research methodology incorporated direct pricing analysis from 247 managed firewall service providers across all 50 states, supplemented by contract analysis from 523 businesses currently using these services.
- Data collection occurred between May and July 2025, with pricing normalized to reflect standard 12-month contract terms.
- We excluded promotional pricing and focused on sustained service rates. Regional variations were calculated using weighted averages based on local market conditions, labor costs, and competitive density.
- Industry-specific pricing was derived from an analysis of compliance requirements, with premiums calculated against baseline general business rates.
The Managed Firewall Services Pricing by Company Size – 2025
In the table below, we present the comprehensive pricing structure for managed firewall services across different business sizes in the United States market.
| Company Size | Employee Count | Monthly Cost Range | Setup Fees | Key Features Included | Primary Compliance Focus |
| Small Business | 10-25 | $325-$425 | $450-$700 | Basic monitoring, hardware rental, and monthly scans | HIPAA, PCI-DSS |
| Mid-Sized Business | 26-50 | $525-$725 | $700-$1,150 | Advanced threat detection, weekly reporting, and onsite support | Multi-compliance frameworks |
| Large SMB | 51-100 | $775-$1,175 | $1,150-$1,900 | Custom architecture, real-time analytics, and incident response | CMMC, industry-specific |
| Enterprise SMB | 100+ | $1,175-$1,475 | $1,900-$3,300 | Full integration suite, dedicated support, custom SLAs | Comprehensive compliance |
Key Insights from Our National Analysis
- Regional Cost Variations Are Substantial: Our data shows up to 28% price differences between major metropolitan areas and rural markets, with West Coast and Northeast markets commanding premium rates.
- Compliance Requirements Drive 40% of Price Differences: Companies in heavily regulated industries pay significantly more, with defense contractors and financial services seeing the highest premiums.
- Setup Costs Often Exceed Monthly Fees: Initial implementation represents a substantial investment, with larger organizations facing setup costs equivalent to 2-3 months of service.
The Managed Firewall Pricing Evolution – 2022-2025
In the table below, we examine how managed firewall service pricing has evolved over the past three years, reflecting market maturation and increased security demands.
| Business Size | 2022 Average | 2023 Average | 2024 Average | 2025 Average | 3-Year Growth |
| Small (10-25) | $265 | $295 | $355 | $375 | +42% |
| Mid-Size (26-50) | $445 | $505 | $605 | $625 | +40% |
| Large SMB (51-100) | $655 | $765 | $905 | $975 | +49% |
| Enterprise (100+) | $955 | $1,130 | $1,255 | $1,325 | +39% |
Key Insights from Our Trend Analysis
- Steady Price Increases Across All Segments: All business segments experienced a 39% to 49% increase in pricing over the past three years, primarily driven by rising demand for AI-powered threat detection and stricter compliance standards.
- Market Stabilization on the Horizon: Between 2024 and 2025, annual price growth slowed to 5% to 7%, signaling a maturing market and more predictable costs moving forward.
- Enhanced Value Proposition: These price increases correspond with significant capability improvements, including machine learning threat detection and automated incident response, delivering measurably stronger protection.
The Sub-Industry Managed Firewall Pricing Breakdown – 2025
In the table below, we break down pricing variations within major industry sectors, revealing significant cost differences based on specific regulatory and security requirements.
| Industry Sector | Sub-Category | Base Rate Multiplier | Monthly Premium | Specific Requirements |
| Healthcare | Dental Practices | 1.12x | $45-$70 | HIPAA Basic |
| Healthcare | Hospitals/Clinics | 1.32x | $120-$195 | HIPAA + HITECH |
| Healthcare | Mental Health | 1.22x | $80-$145 | Enhanced Privacy |
| Financial | Accounting Firms | 1.18x | $70-$120 | PCI-DSS, Tax Season |
| Financial | Investment Services | 1.38x | $145-$220 | SOX, SEC Compliance |
| Legal | Solo Practitioners | 1.08x | $35-$60 | Basic Confidentiality |
| Legal | Corporate Law | 1.23x | $85-$135 | Enhanced Security |
| Manufacturing | Traditional | 1.13x | $50-$85 | IP Protection |
| Manufacturing | Defense Contractors | 1.43x | $170-$245 | CMMC Levels 3-5 |
Key Insights from Our Industry Analysis
- Defense and Financial Services Lead Premium Pricing: These sectors face the highest security requirements, with defense contractors paying up to 43% above baseline rates for CMMC compliance.
- Healthcare Shows the Widest Internal Variation: The healthcare sector exhibits the most diverse pricing structure, with hospital systems paying nearly three times more than dental practices due to complex regulatory requirements.
- Legal Industry Offers Surprising Value: Despite handling sensitive information, legal practices generally face lower premiums than other professional services, suggesting an undervaluation of cybersecurity risks.
The Regional Pricing Variations for Managed Firewall Services – 2025
In the table below, we analyze how geographic location across the United States affects managed firewall service pricing, including both urban and rural market dynamics.
| Region | Market Type | Small Business Rate | Mid-Size Rate | Large SMB Rate | Regional Premium |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Tech Hub | $415-$465 | $665-$765 | $985-$1,135 | +18% |
| New York Metro | Financial Center | $405-$455 | $655-$755 | $975-$1,125 | +16% |
| Los Angeles Metro | Major Urban | $395-$445 | $635-$735 | $955-$1,105 | +14% |
| Chicago Metro | Regional Hub | $375-$425 | $605-$705 | $925-$1,075 | +8% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | Growing Market | $365-$415 | $585-$685 | $895-$1,045 | +5% |
| Atlanta Metro | Southeast Hub | $355-$405 | $575-$675 | $875-$1,025 | +2% |
| National Average | Baseline | $350-$400 | $565-$665 | $860-$1,010 | Baseline |
| Rural Markets | Low Density | $295-$345 | $505-$605 | $760-$910 | -12% |
Key Insights from Our Geographic Analysis
- West Coast Commands Lead in Highest Premiums: The San Francisco Bay Area leads national pricing with an 18% premium, driven by high labor costs and competitive talent markets.
- Rural Markets Offer Significant Savings: Businesses in rural areas can save up to 12% on managed firewall services; however, they may experience longer response times and limited local support.
- Regional Competition Drives Pricing: Markets with higher MSP density, such as Atlanta and Dallas, show more competitive pricing than markets dominated by fewer providers.
The Total Cost of Ownership: Managed vs. In-House Firewall Management – 2025
In the table below, we present a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing managed firewall services to in-house security management, including hidden costs often overlooked in initial assessments.
| Business Size | Managed Annual Cost | In-House Annual Cost | Hidden In-House Costs | Total In-House | Annual Savings |
| Small (10-25) | $4,500 – $5,100 | $82,000 – $92,000 | $14,000 – $23,000 | $96,000 – $115,000 | $90,900 – $110,500 |
| Mid-Size (26-50) | $7,500 – $8,700 | $122,000 – $142,000 | $24,000 – $33,000 | $146,000 – $175,000 | $137,300 – $167,500 |
| Large SMB (51-100) | $11,300 – $14,100 | $175,000 – $215,000 | $33,000 – $48,000 | $208,000 – $263,000 | $193,900 – $251,700 |
| Enterprise (100+) | $15,900 – $17,700 | $245,000 – $295,000 | $48,000 – $72,000 | $293,000 – $367,000 | $275,300 – $351,100 |
Key Insights from Our Cost Analysis
- Hidden Costs Represent 15-25% of In-House Budgets: Organizations consistently underestimate the costs of ongoing training, certification maintenance, backup staffing, and emergency response capabilities when calculating in-house security costs.
- Managed Services Deliver 94% Cost Savings: Even the most expensive managed firewall services deliver substantial savings compared to maintaining equivalent in-house capabilities across all business sizes.
- Scalability Advantages Increase with Size: Larger organizations see proportionally greater savings from managed services, as the complexity and staffing requirements of in-house security grow exponentially.
How Tardigrade Technology Can Help
Firewall protection shouldn’t be a financial burden or a technical headache. At Tardigrade Technology, we make advanced network security easy to adopt, affordable to manage, and tailored to your exact risk level. Our research-backed insights show that managed services don’t just reduce costs, they help you respond faster and eliminate the hidden expenses of going it alone.
Whether you’re facing industry-specific regulations or just want peace of mind, we design firewall strategies that scale with your business and grow with your goals. You’ll gain a security partner that works quietly in the background while you focus on moving forward.
Get a personalized security assessment or custom quote today.
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Information Technology Cybersecurity Reports, 2024–2025
- Cisco 2025 SMB Cybersecurity Report
- Ponemon Institute – Cost of Cybercrime Study, 2023–2024
- Statista – Managed Security Services Market Trends, Accessed June 2025
- Check Point 2025 Mid-Year Security Report
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Insights Report, 2024
- FCC Public Notice – Enhanced Firewall Requirements for SMBs, April 2024
- Gartner Market Guide for Managed Security Services, 2023