As the world becomes more globalized, it is more important now than ever to ensure that your systems are protected. For centralized offices, the first line of defense in securing network systems against external threats is to ensure that a firewall is in use. Once this protective measure is in place, it is important to monitor its effectiveness on a regular basis and make the necessary adjustments, as needed. Read on to find out more about how firewall security can be an effective tool to ensure superior digital protection for your business.
Defining a Firewall
A firewall is a security device that can take the form of computer hardware (physical, stored between the network and gateway) or software (an internal program on a computer that works through port numbers and applications). Firewalls are designed to keep the network, computer and data secure. A firewall can help protect the network by acting as an intermediary between internal network and outside traffic. It monitors attempts to gain access to operating systems and blocks unwanted incoming traffic and unrecognized sources. A commercial virtual private network (VPN) is technology that allows a private connection to be created over a less private network. This is done by creating an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the Internet. A VPN can be installed just like any other app on a smartphone or a program on a computer.
Firewalls are not to be confused with antivirus protection. Firewalls manage access to the network, whereas antivirus software serves as cybersecurity protection from malicious viruses. Cybersecurity policies provided by insurance companies often require a firewall in many instances.
Checking the Health of Your Network
Networks are at the core of business operations. When they do not perform at the highest capacity, the business may suffer. Monitoring the network on a regular basis can afford businesses the following advantages: identifying and solving issues before businesses are affected; and troubleshooting issues that slow down the network. Data collected from monitoring can be used to improve networks and ensure that they are operating at maximum efficiency. This information is often required by cybersecurity insurance carriers and industry regulations.
Understanding the Importance of Regular Firmware Updates
Firmware updates enhance the operational features and functionality of a product. They also eliminate vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the last firmware update. Depending on the firewall, it could include updates to antivirus checks, content filtering, and intrusion prevention among other features.
If you don’t regularly apply your paid, annual firmware subscriptions, your firewall will stop updating, which in turn makes it defenseless against the latest threats that hackers have created in recent times. In such a fast-paced world where security is an ever-changing thing, it’s crucial to keep your firewall up-to-date against potential threats.
Upgrading and Auditing Your Firewall
Eventually, like other pieces of hardware and software, firewalls will fail due to age. If a firewall has been in service for many years, business owners may want to consider replacing it to avoid an unexpected outage or downtime.
Firewall audits help identify vulnerabilities in the network security system and determine areas where security policies must be customized. They provide assurance to stakeholders that the organization has been kept up-to-date by reviewing policy controls and security controls regularly. It also puts business owners in the right position to uncover a security issue and respond to it.
Be sure to carefully review firewalls to ensure they do not still have access after their discontinued use. Unfortunately, an old IT provider could have opened up a port to access the system, which can open your business up to potential risks and vulnerabilities without your knowledge.
Tightening Security Measures at All Times
A large amount of confidential data is transferred between computers and other devices every second. For this reason, the people who maintain computer networks must keep them secure. Once the network is secured, users and connected devices can operate without data leakage and/or loss.
New threats are uncovered every day, so it’s essential for your business to respond accordingly. It’s a fast-paced world, full of security threats that are always evolving and changing. It’s crucial for the safety, productivity, and profitability of your business to keep your firmware up-to-date and secure at all times.
Security is a journey – not a destination. It is an active part of your business. To implement network security, in general, every organization must have a dedicated person, team or company to ensure its network is protected against cybersecurity attacks. If you don’t know where to start, work with a pro.
CMIT Handles Your IT Security So You Can Focus on Your Business
CMIT Solutions comprehensive portfolio of products and services to defend networks and protect data. Firewalls are just one of the methods used by CMIT Solutions to guard against cybersecurity attacks. Contact them today to enhance your company’s network security!
