Cyber threats are continually evolving, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. As a result, businesses and individuals alike must be proactive in defending their data and systems from malicious actors. One of the most effective tools in this defensive arsenal is the firewall.
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a shield that protects your network from the big world wide web. It monitors incoming and outgoing electronic data and stops suspicious packets from entering your network. A firewall acts as a gatekeeper, preventing cyber thieves from accessing your computer, workstation or server. It can protect the hardware and software on your network and examines data based on a set of predefined rules – allowing data that meets those rules to pass through the gate and into your system and blocking any data that doesn’t.
You can choose to protect your system with either a hardware firewall that is a physical device or a software firewall which is an internal programme on your computer. Cloud firewalls are also popular nowadays with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the fact they have been designed to work with dispersed workforces.
Network Segmentation
By segmenting a network into different zones, firewalls can significantly limit the spread of malware and reduce the risk of internal threats. This technique, known as network segmentation, involves dividing a network into multiple, isolated segments, each with its own security policies and access controls. For instance, sensitive data and critical systems can be placed in highly secure zones with stringent access restrictions, while less critical areas of the network may have more relaxed controls. This layered defense approach not only enhances overall network security but also facilitates more efficient management and monitoring of network traffic, making it easier to detect and respond to security incidents promptly.
Improved Performance
Firewalls can play a crucial role in optimising network performance by prioritising network traffic. This capability, often referred to as Quality of Service (QoS), allows firewalls to allocate bandwidth preferentially to critical applications, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to function efficiently. For instance, in a corporate environment, business-critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can be prioritised over less important traffic.
Monitoring and Logging
Firewalls play a pivotal role in network monitoring by keeping detailed logs of all network traffic. These logs meticulously record every data packet that passes through the firewall, providing a comprehensive audit trail of network activity. This wealth of information can be invaluable for troubleshooting network issues, as it allows IT professionals to pinpoint the source and nature of problems quickly. For instance, if a network experiences unexpected downtime or performance degradation, the firewall logs can reveal patterns or anomalies in traffic that might indicate the cause, such as a sudden surge in data requests or a specific IP address generating excessive traffic.
Compliance
Firewalls help organisations comply with various regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). These regulations mandate stringent security measures to protect sensitive data from unauthorised access and breaches. Firewalls provide the necessary security controls to meet these mandates by acting as a barrier between the internal network and external threats, ensuring that only authorised traffic is allowed through. Additionally, firewalls come equipped with robust logging capabilities that are essential for compliance.
Protection for Remote Workforces
Firewalls often integrate with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to secure remote connections, ensuring that employees can securely access the network from remote locations. In the modern work environment, where remote work has become a norm rather than an exception, this integration is vital. VPNs create encrypted tunnels through which data can travel securely between remote users and the corporate network, shielding this data from potential interception and tampering by cybercriminals. When a firewall is integrated with a VPN, it adds an additional layer of security by enforcing access controls and monitoring all incoming and outgoing traffic through the VPN tunnel. This ensures that only authenticated users can connect to the network and that their activities are continually scrutinised for any signs of malicious behaviour.
What can Matrix do for you?
At Matrix we provide fully managed firewall services to help safeguard your business against the latest cyber-attacks. With constant updates to ensure minimal exposure and a highly available system to ensure minimal downtime to your business, look no further than Matrix IT to protect your systems. We also offer a full security audit and can advise you on the other forms of protection you need in place, including antivirus software and multi-factor authentication.
To learn more about our services and how we can help you with firewalls, contact us today via email or call us on 01329 888444.
