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No matter how big or small the company, it is a target for online threats and cyber-attacks. Indeed, small businesses are frequently targeted by hackers because they have weaker network security protecting their systems than larger enterprise companies. 43% of cyber-attacks target smaller firms, and ransomware, which is designed to render the company’s files inoperable, is one of the most dangerous types of attacks. This is when the network firewall’s security proves to be beneficial.

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What is Network Firewall security exactly?

A firewall is a structure deployed in home and office settings to prevent the spread of fire and save lives. The term was co-opted for the internet age because a computer firewall has several similarities. Firewalls are the first line of defense against online criminals, just like the structure for which they were named. They analyze, manage, and restrict any incoming or outgoing network traffic.

Data moving in and out of the systems must first pass through the firewall, which inspects it and may block it if it doesn’t meet certain requirements. It’s a virtual structure made up of either software or hardware, or maybe both, so it can stop hackers, scammers, and other criminals from accessing any personal information. A firewall inspects all the millions of bits of data that are flowing in and out of the company’s network when it is operational. Hence, it is critical to understand how firewalls work to effectively protect your business.

How does the firewall work?

Incoming connections that are permitted to reach a network are often welcomed by firewalls. Based on current security standards, the security systems will accept or block data packets. Checkpoints are created by firewalls to filter online traffic. These solutions enable you to examine and respond to rogue network activity before the attacked network suffers any consequences.

Only trustworthy sources and IP addresses may access your client’s systems when a reliable firewall is in place. Some firewalls can also search audit records for connections and traffic that have passed through. When configuring user access controls, be sure to incorporate strong firewalls. These barriers can be installed on network user PCs or dedicated computers.

Enlisted below are the top 5 reasons why a business needs network firewall security:

Protection against external threats: A network firewall guards your company from external dangers like malware, viruses, and hackers. It serves as a barrier between your internal network and the internet, keeping harmful traffic from entering your network and preventing unauthorized access.

Industry regulations compliance: Depending on your sector, you might need to follow rules like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) or HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). The safe access to sensitive data and proper network configuration provided by network firewalls can help you comply with these legal obligations.

High level of security for remote workers: Given the rising popularity of remote work, it’s crucial to make sure that your staff members always have safe access to your network. Network firewalls combined with EDR security solutions can offer this protection by encrypting data sent over the internet and enabling only authorized users to access your network.

Improved network performance: Network firewalls can help your network run more efficiently by limiting traffic that might be clogging up your network or slowing it down. By doing this, you can make sure that your staff members access network resources quickly and easily.

Firewall can also safeguard data in the cloud – Businesses are increasingly choosing to host all of their data in the cloud rather than on a server on-site, which implies the danger of depending on IT security risk management systems used for cloud storage. A firewall reduces the danger considerably since every piece of data is verified and double-verified to make sure no malicious code gets through.

Types of firewalls

Packet filtering

Small quantities of data are analyzed by packet filtering firewalls before being sent according to the filter’s rules. Before authorizing or rejecting a packet’s transit, this firewall will examine its source and destination addresses. Before making a judgment, packet filtering additionally checks the data transmission application protocols.

Firewall proxy service

Network security devices use proxies to safeguard your clients’ networks while filtering communications at the application layer. As a gateway from one network to another, this early firewall device serves a specialized use. The gadget blocks direct network connections while still providing content caching and security.

Stateful inspection firewall

Dynamic packet filtering is used in a stateful inspection firewall to monitor active connections and determine which network packets can flow through the firewall. This firewall restricts or permits traffic depending on predefined protocols, states, or ports. It observes all network activity and makes judgments based on established rules as well as the context of prior connections and packets.

Next-gen firewall (NGFW)

All data packets are subjected to application-level inspection by next-generation firewalls (NGFWs). Next-generation firewalls can set policies that improve your clients’ network security. They may also carry out rapid network inspections to alert you to unwanted or suspicious behavior.

Conclusion

It is crucial to comprehend how firewalls function so you can employ them to properly safeguard your firm. Managed firewall service providers like COMnet may assist you in creating and implementing a cybersecurity plan that is specifically suited to meet your individual needs. They can discover weaknesses in your systems, give advice on network security, and offer services for continual monitoring and reporting. However, engaging in IT security management and risk assessment without a comprehensive and robust cyber security risk management strategy and plan can be detrimental. Afterall, a sound cyber security plan includes more than just firewalls.