Types of Firewalls
Firewall is a device that allows or denies traffic on your network. It is also used to monitor and filter out suspicious or unauthorized activity on your network.
Using firewalls as the first line of defense can protect your network from threats. However, it is important to know the right type of firewall for your needs before implementing it in your network.
Types of firewalls include hardware, software, and in the cloud. Each of these types performs a different function and is categorized based on its OSI layer.
Network-based firewalls operate at the network level and use two or more network interface cards (NICs) to filter traffic. Typically, these devices are dedicated systems that come with proprietary software installed.
Stateful Inspection Firewalls examine the entire packet and decide whether to block or allow it based on set rules. These firewalls are often used in combination with other security tools to create additional layers of protection.
Proxy-based firewalls take stateful inspection a step further by preventing direct connections between Internet traffic and servers, keeping unwanted information from reaching your network. These firewalls are often used in conjunction with NAT firewalls, which act as intermediaries between servers and end-user requests.
It is important to manage all of your firewalls centrally in one place. This will help you to ensure that all of your firewalls are operating properly and performing at their best. It will also give you the ability to manage and compare firewall policies and rules from various manufacturers, conduct security auditing and reporting, and troubleshoot configuration issues.