If you're an MSP or IT professional managing a fleet of endpoints through ConnectWise Automate, you already know the importance of visibility, control, and efficiency — especially when it comes to security. Today, we're unlocking a new chapter in endpoint management with the Firewall Manager for the Defender for Automate plugin.
A Smarter Way to Manage Firewall Rules
Gone are the days of manually combing through individual endpoints to check firewall configurations. The new Firewall Manager gives you:
- Centralized visibility of Windows Defender Firewall rules — including enabled and disabled rules
- Real-time syncing of rule data with MySQL, so your Automate dashboard stays current
- Profile toggling for Domain, Public, and Private networks via intuitive checkboxes
- Port scanning integration to log TCP and UDP listener activity per device
- Rule enforcement scripting backed by dynamic PowerShell and SQL logic
Whether you're troubleshooting connectivity or ensuring compliance with internal policies, this manager empowers you to take action confidently and efficiently.
What’s Under the Hood?
- Every firewall rule on an endpoint is parsed via PowerShell and converted to a normalized SQL record.
- Profiles are tracked and enforced via lightweight scheduling scripts and database triggers.
- Open ports are logged and mapped to their protocol, creating a live fingerprint of exposed services.
- The entire system is built for scale, so whether you manage 50 agents or 5,000, it performs with precision.
Why It Matters
Security isn’t static — neither are endpoints. The Firewall Manager brings dynamic control into your workflow, helping you:
- Audit and enforce consistent rule sets
- Respond faster to threats or misconfigurations
- Integrate firewall data into your alerting, reporting, and ticketing workflows
It's not just automation — it’s automation with insight.
Get Started
The Firewall Manager is now part of the Defender for Automate plugin. All you need is the latest update and your existing Automate infrastructure to start exploring. Whether you’re building a custom dashboard or scripting your own enforcement logic, this feature is built to empower your team’s creativity and control.
