Firewall Explained & Why You Need One

For companies of all sizes, firewalls are now seen as a crucial component of network security. Especially since the likelihood of cyber threats has increased in today’s digital environment, necessitating the installation of a solid firewall to safeguard a company’s network and data. 

We will discuss firewalls in this blog, including what they are, how they operate, and why you need one.

What is a Firewall?

The term “firewall” refers to a wall constructed to save structural architecture from fires, particularly in congested areas where buildings are arranged close to one another. 

The firewall is a sturdy block or metal sheet construction that stops the fire from spreading through the buildings to the nearby structures. 

In its early stages, the computing industry appropriated and applied the phrase to network computing to safeguard internal networks from external dangers.

The firewall, which can be hardware, software, or a combination of both, is a barrier keeping these damaging materials out of the internal network.

How does a Firewall work?

A firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic to distinguish between “good data” and “bad data” using three different techniques.

Packet Filtering

Packet filtering is a basic form of firewall protection that evaluates data traffic against predefined security rules to create filters.

Proxy Server

Firewall proxy servers act as an intermediary between two end systems, allowing them to evaluate the health and fitness of communication as if they were speaking directly.

Stateful Inspection

Stateful inspection is a modern method of firewall protection that collects and holds attributes of both connections in a database of trusted information.

Next-Generation Firewall

The next-generation firewall adds application-level inspection, intrusion prevention, and information from outside the firewall.

Unified Threat Management (UTM) Firewall

UTMs integrate inspection, intrusion prevention, and antivirus and are designed to be simple and easy to use.

Why do you need a Firewall?

An essential element of network security is a firewall. Through observing and managing network traffic, a firewall assists in defending your network and data against online attacks. 

Defend against online threats: Firewalls guard your network against various online dangers, including viruses, malware, and hacking attempts.

Control network access: Using security rules to specify which traffic can get through and which is denied, firewalls let you manage network access.

Compliance: By creating a secure network environment, firewalls assist you in meeting legal standards like HIPAA and PCI DSS.

Boost network performance: Firewalls can boost network performance by cutting unneeded network traffic and streamlining traffic flows.

Conclusions

In summary, firewalls are now essential to network security for businesses of all sizes. They govern network access, guarantee compliance, enhance performance, and protect your network and data from online dangers. You can choose the best firewall for your firm by knowing how they operate and the various available types. 

A strong firewall defense also requires ongoing firewall audits and optimization, secure client VPN access, and secure partner and vendor connections.

To ensure that your firewall offers your company the protection it needs, it is crucial to maintain it updated and consult network security specialists.

CipherEx uses particular tools to assess and improve firewall policies to minimize risk and enhance firewall functionality. In an easy-to-understand report, our engineers will assist you in optimizing regulations and will identify any potential security flaws and dangers.

Contact us today to learn more and ensure that your organization is protected from online threats.