Firewalls 101: why are they so important and how can I use them to support my business?

Published: 14 January 2025
Published: 14 January 2025

A good firewall is the heart of a secure IT network. The right system will stop advanced cyber attacks, as well as keep up with the performance, speed, and productivity needs of the modern-day workplace. Ahead of our Cyber Security Conference on 27th March, we explain the importance of a firewall and why its probably time for you to think about upgrading your company’s network security.

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and restricts internet traffic going in, out or within a private network. The software works by selectively blocking or allowing small data segments known as data packets through to help prevent malicious activity and restrict users, both inside and outside a private network, from engaging in unauthorised web activities. 

Firewalls are one security tool in the broader category of user access control. These barriers are typically set up in two locations, on users’ computers and other devices (known as endpoints) that connect to the network. 

How do firewalls protect my data?

Firewalls are the first barrier that network threats face when trying to access an organisation’s network. A firewall chooses which network traffic is legitimate and allowed to pass through and which traffic is thought to be dangerous, filtering the good and trusted traffic from the bad and untrusted. These traffic rules are established based on factors like the source address and destination of data.  

One method a firewall uses is packet filtering, where the ‘packets’ of data are examined and compared against the filters used to identify malicious data. If the data meets the parameters of a threat as defined by a filter, it is then discarded, keeping your network protected. 

What are the benefits of a firewall?

There are many benefits of having a good firewall in place, beyond just preventing cyberattacks. Some of the most vital ones are:  

  • Monitoring and filtering network traffic 
  • Blocking unauthorised access 
  • Preventing virus infiltration 
  • Upholding data privacy 
  • Enhancing identity protection of users 
  • Application use control 

For more information on the importance of network security, take a look at our Cyber Security services to see what we can do to protect your business. 

Questions to ask yourself before upgrading your firewall

When considering whether to upgrade to a new firewall, there are important questions that you should ask yourself in order to find the right fit for your business’s needs. You will need to consider:  

Integration: how well does your current firewall support and integrate with your frameworks and databases?  

Coverage: does your existing firewall provide all the features that you need it to?  

Cloud services support: does your firewall support adding security use cases as cloud services? Will it provide coverage for future cloud services?  

Application awareness: does it provide visibility and security for different applications your remote workers are using?  

Future-proof: does your current firewall accommodate your business needs, and will it scale for the future? 

If you’re struggling to help answer these questions, we can help you. Take a look at our Cyber Security Audit page to ask about our risk assessment. 

What is a next-generation firewall? 

A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is part of the third-generation firewall technology, which combines a conventional firewall with other network device filtering functions. NGFW perform deeper inspections compared to the inspection the traditional firewalls carry out. They offer administrators a deeper awareness and control over individual applications, as well as deeper inspection capabilities by the firewall.  

Some of the extra capabilities include: 

  • Application awareness and control 
  • Intrusion prevention 
  • Threat intelligence 
  • Paths for upgrading in order to add future information feeds 
  • Techniques to address evolving security threats 

Why choose WatchGuard? 

At PKF Infuse, we have made the transition to WatchGuard Security products, which offer one of the strongest next-generation firewalls currently on the market. WatchGuard provide an enterprise-grade security for any organisation, regardless of size or technical expertise. Ideal for a variety of businesses, this brand of network security is designed to be easy to deploy and use, as well as provide the highest levels of security possible. 

Find out more at our Cyber Security Conference 

Discover how you and your business can strengthen your cyber defences and outsmart cybercriminals at our Cyber Security Conference on 27th March. Entry is free and includes a welcome pack, breakfast and buffet lunch and hot and cold refreshments throughout the day. To register you place at the event, click the link here and fill in the form.

 

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Complete our contact form and one of our experts will be in touch, or call our team on 01332 374444.

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