The 5 Best-Selling Network Security Brands In Q3 2017

The Best In Network Security

Cisco Systems remains the dominant force in network security devices sold through the channel during the third quarter of 2017, according to new data from NPD Group, Port Washington, N.Y. The NPD Group tracks monthly technology sales-out information from the largest IT distributors and resellers in North America, down to the item level and with overlap removed.

The total number of units sold during third-quarter 2017 was 151,134, up 18.7 percent from 127,361 a year ago. Cisco, SonicWall, Palo Alto Networks and Watchguard Technologies all saw sales increases, with Fortinet being the only company to record a sales decline.

CRN breaks down the top five leaders by brand that sold the most network security units from July to September in 2017.

5. Watchguard Technologies

Unit Share: 4.5%

Watchguard Technologies sold 6,793 units during the third quarter of 2017, up 7 percent year over year from 6,350 units during the third quarter of 2016. The Seattle-based vendor's unit share, however, dropped from 5 percent in third-quarter 2016 to 4.5 percent.

4. Fortinet

Unit Share: 6.9%

Fortinet was the only vendor on the list to record a decline in units sold during the quarter, which dropped 20.7 percent year-over-year. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company sold 10,468 units in the third quarter, down from 13,206 units sold in the same quarter one year ago. Fortinet's unit share dropped from 10.4 percent in third-quarter 2016 to 6.9 percent.

3. Palo Alto Networks

Unit Share: 7.8%

Palo Alto Networks sold 11,827 units during the quarter, representing a 28.2 percent increase year over year from 9,222 units sold in third-quarter 2016. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based vendor saw its unit share improve from 7.2 percent one year ago to 7.8 percent.

The PA-220 next-generation firewall was the seventh-highest-selling model of the quarter. It is intended to prevent modern cyberthreats for small organizations, branch offices and retail locations.

2. SonicWall

Unit Share: 16.3%

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based vendor is the closest challenger to Cisco with 16.3 percent unit share, up from 15 percent share one year ago. SonicWall sold 24,670 units in the quarter, up 29.5 percent year over year compared with 19,051 in third-quarter 2016.

The TZ SOHO Base Appliance was the 10th-highest selling model of the quarter. The entry-level, next-generation firewall is intended to provide comprehensive protection and fast performance for small networks, including remote and branch offices.

1. Cisco

Unit Share: 51.8%

The San Jose, Calif.-based networking giant had 51.8 percent unit share during the quarter, up from 49.2 percent year over year. Cisco sold 78,346 units in the quarter, up 24.9 percent from the 62,714 it sold in third-quarter 2016.

The Cisco Meraki MX 64 and MX 65 100 percent cloud managed network and security appliances are the two highest-selling models of the quarter. Cisco had six other network security devices crack the top 10 of the most- sold models during the quarter.