The Top 4 Features to Look for in a Managed Router

When you picture your business, what do you see as the foundation? Maybe you see your hardworking team, or maybe it's the quality of your products.

And you’d be right, because those things do matter. But there's something else your business depends on just as much: a reliable connection that keeps everything moving forward.

That's where your router comes in. Sure, it's not the flashiest piece of equipment. It sits on a shelf, runs in the background, out of sight, and out of mind. But it's easily one of the most important parts of any business. Every email sent, transaction processed, and cloud software used relies on your network. And a high-functioning network depends on the router.

The right router does more than move data from point A to point B. It protects your business, lets you see what devices are connected, blocks harmful content, and keeps operations running smoothly. These capabilities aren’t optional anymore. They’re key in keeping your team safe and your customers happy.

So, if you’re choosing a managed router, it's worth knowing which features make the biggest difference. Let’s explore.

The Top 4 Features to Consider When Choosing a Managed Router

Now that we’ve established how important your router really is, let's talk about what separates an average router from one that actually protects your business.

1. Content Filtering
What it is: A tool that identifies and blocks websites based on categories that have been curated by Cisco Talos, one of the largest threat-intelligence teams in the world.

Why it matters: Because it’s powered by Talos intelligence, the MX can identify and filter millions of URLs across several categories like malware, phishing, adult content, illegal downloads, and more. That means your router is actively preventing users from landing on dangerous sites.

2. Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS)
What it is: A built-in protection tool that's powered by Snort, an open-source intrusion prevention system designed to detect and prevent cyber-attacks by monitoring network traffic for malicious activity.

Why it matters: IDS gives your business a deeper layer of protection by monitoring traffic for suspicious behavior. It helps identify attacks as they happen and can automatically block them depending on the security level you choose.

The MX lets you pick from three rule sets, depending on your priorities:

Connectivity: focuses on maintaining network performance and minimal security controls
Balanced: offers a compromise between security and performance
Security: prioritizes security even if it may impact network speed

3. Web Search Filtering: 
What it is: Gives you control over what appears in search results across search engines. The MX rewrites search URLs to enforce safe-search settings.

Why it matters: Even if harmful websites are blocked, unsafe content can still appear through search results. Web Search Filtering significantly reduces this risk by filtering out inappropriate content before it ever reaches your users.

4. Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) :
What it is: Inspects HTTP incoming files and checks them against threat intelligence from the AMP cloud. If a file matches the signature of a known threat, AMP blocks it before it reaches your network.

Why it matters: Malware does more than just slow down your network. It can compromise sensitive data and disrupt operations. AMP helps stop malware from causing any damage or hassle to your business.

A Provider You Can Trust

It's clear that a managed router is more than just a piece of hardware. It's a core part of keeping your business connected and protected. But even the best features only reach their full potential when they’re backed by the right partner.

When you choose DOCOMO PACIFIC for your managed router solutions, you’re not just getting advanced tools like content filtering, IDS/IPS, Web Search Filtering, and AMP. You’re getting a team of experts that understands your business and is committed to keeping you ahead.