Date: 7 February 2022
Network firewalls are designed to protect computers from outside threats such as viruses, malware, spyware, and other malicious software. They also prevent unauthorized access to your company’s internal network resources.
A network firewall is essential for businesses because it can stop hackers from accessing sensitive information and either disrupting operations or holding the company ransom for its own data (also known as a ransomware attack). In addition, it can also help you monitor employee activities and ensure compliance with corporate policies.
What Is a Firewall?
A firewall is a network security device that keeps out unauthorized users and hackers. Antivirus software helps to protect files from viruses. Firewalls help to keep out intruders by blocking them from accessing your computer in the first place.
Firewalls protect your computer system from viruses and other harmful software. You should install them on every system in your network.
Here are five reasons why network firewall security is so important for businesses today:
1. A Firewall Protects Your Company From Hackers
The most common way in which hackers compromise business systems and data is through social engineering attacks. They employ a variety of tricks to trap unsuspecting employees into giving them privileged information and sensitive data.
While high-quality cybersecurity training is the most effective way to nip this problem in the bud, firewalls do help to a large extent as well.
Firewalls can alert you to malicious incoming traffic and can also block attacks.
You can buy a standalone firewall or a combination of hardware and software that does both functions. However, it is recommended that you purchase a firewall that comes with antivirus protection.
2. A Firewall Lets You Block Access to Unapproved Websites
Firewalls block unauthorized users from accessing your network. But you can also block certain websites from being accessed by your users. This is useful if you want to prevent your employees from browsing inappropriate websites or those that may have malicious downloads while working on your network.
For example, you might not allow your employees to visit pornographic sites or gambling websites. You can also block access to dubious online shopping sites or any site that may offer illegal downloads.
In this way, you can control what your employees see when they are using their computers at work and also minimize network exposure to sites that may lead to malicious software making its way into your systems.
3. A Firewall Can Protect Your Business from Malicious Code
Firewalls are used to protect computers from viruses and other malicious software. They monitor incoming and outgoing data and log any unusual activities. They may be configured to alert you when an attack occurs or when someone tries to gain unauthorized access to your computer system. These alerts can go a long way in enhancing the overall cybersecurity posture of your business.
Repeated alerts suggest that your organisation is on the radar of a threat actor and can be an early warning sign that you need to ramp up defences further. If this is the case, you need to start preparing a solid cyber incident response plan for when you do come under attack.
Download our free incident response plan template to start building your own plan with the necessary steps and processes that your staff has to take in case an incident does occur.
4. A Firewall Lets You Limit Bandwidth Usage for Certain Programs
Firewalls can be used to control network bandwidth. A firewall can be used to limit the amount of bandwidth available for certain types of data. This could be done by limiting the amount of bandwidth available to streaming video or other media files.
It is possible to configure a firewall so that only specific types of traffic have access to the Internet. For instance, you might want to restrict access to certain websites but still allow people to connect to your office printer.
5. You Can Use A Firewall To Provide VPN Services
A virtual private network (VPN) uses encryption technology to secure communications between two parties. The encrypted traffic travels across public networks like the Internet without anyone else knowing about it.
A firewall can provide VPN services. For instance, you can configure your firewall so that only specific computers have access to the Internet. Then, you can create a tunnel that allows these computers to communicate securely over the Internet.
A firewall can also be used to encrypt data sent between your business computers and your remote office. It can also act as a gateway to connect your organization’s local area network (LAN) to a wide area network (WAN).
Conclusion: A Firewall Is Part of a Broader Cybersecurity Strategy.
Firewalls are only one part of a good cyber security strategy. Managed Firewall Service providers can help you develop and deploy an effective cybersecurity strategy, tailored to suit your unique requirements.
They can offer advice on how to secure networks, identify vulnerabilities in your systems, and provide ongoing monitoring and reporting services.
In conclusion, it’s important to understand how firewalls work so you can use it effectively to protect your business.
