Security hardware doesn't have to be expensive or complex to do the job. Here are seven examples of low-cost hardware that could fill a need in your security operations.

Dark Reading has looked at free and low-cost software for security. And we have pointed out low-cost and free ways to improve your security knowledge. Now we turn the spotlight on low-cost hardware, which offers a great option for those willing to invest a bit of time or accept some limitations in speed or functionality.

Low-cost security hardware can be purchased or built from single-board computers, to be used for reconnaissance, education, network security, or a combination of tasks. The odds are favorable that implementing one of the seven low-cost options we're about to present will teach you a thing or two about how security happens, too.

Our selections provide different aspects of security. You'll notice that the Raspberry Pi is seen often — it's hard to beat the board's combination of power, flexibility, and price. These hardware options can be found in forms that make experimentation, learning, and practical security for smaller networks or network segments much more affordable.

What low-cost options have you found? Share them in the Comments section, below.

(Image: BillionPhotos.com VIA Adobe Stock)

About the Author(s)

Curtis Franklin, Principal Analyst, Omdia

Curtis Franklin Jr. is Principal Analyst at Omdia, focusing on enterprise security management. Previously, he was senior editor of Dark Reading, editor of Light Reading's Security Now, and executive editor, technology, at InformationWeek, where he was also executive producer of InformationWeek's online radio and podcast episodes

Curtis has been writing about technologies and products in computing and networking since the early 1980s. He has been on staff and contributed to technology-industry publications including BYTE, ComputerWorld, CEO, Enterprise Efficiency, ChannelWeb, Network Computing, InfoWorld, PCWorld, Dark Reading, and ITWorld.com on subjects ranging from mobile enterprise computing to enterprise security and wireless networking.

Curtis is the author of thousands of articles, the co-author of five books, and has been a frequent speaker at computer and networking industry conferences across North America and Europe. His most recent books, Cloud Computing: Technologies and Strategies of the Ubiquitous Data Center, and Securing the Cloud: Security Strategies for the Ubiquitous Data Center, with co-author Brian Chee, are published by Taylor and Francis.

When he's not writing, Curtis is a painter, photographer, cook, and multi-instrumentalist musician. He is active in running, amateur radio (KG4GWA), the MakerFX maker space in Orlando, FL, and is a certified Florida Master Naturalist.

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