What Is a Firewall and Why Do You Need One?
Firewall is a digital security system that monitors traffic over a network based on a set of rules. It prevents unauthorized entities from entering a network and helps protect devices and data from malware that can wreak havoc and steal sensitive information. Firewalls can be hardware or software and can be deployed as dedicated appliances or integrated into network devices such as routers. A firewall does not replace antivirus protection, but should be run in tandem with it.
Like a lock on your front door that checks to see if you have the key before letting someone in, firewalls check if you have the right credentials before allowing network traffic to pass through. However, just as burglars can pick locks, cyber threats can bypass simple defenses. This is where a more advanced firewall comes in, with features that help detect and thwart malware, viruses, hacking attempts, spam emails, and other malicious activities.
A more sophisticated type of firewall is called a next-generation firewall (NGFW). This type of firewall goes beyond traditional packet filtering, inspecting the contents and source of each data packet to ensure that incoming and outgoing traffic adheres to the rules you have established for your network. NGFWs also offer other types of advanced security measures, including application control, real-time threat prevention, and advanced malware protection.
If you are running a firewall, or considering installing one on your office network, be sure to ask the following questions to ensure that it is providing you with the most value: