What Does a Firewall Do?

With 58% of small businesses falling victim to cyberattacks, you might wonder, what does a firewall do, and how can it protect your network? Firewalls act as a crucial barrier between your internal network and external threats, controlling incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules. Even if individual devices have security measures in place, a network firewall provides an essential layer of protection across all devices.

Key Takeaways:

1. What does a firewall do? Firewalls act as a barrier between your network and potential external threats, controlling incoming and outgoing traffic.
2. Network-wide firewall protection: A network firewall offers comprehensive security across all devices, not just individual devices.
3. Firewall protection for IoT devices: Firewalls isolate vulnerable IoT devices, preventing compromised devices from accessing critical network areas.
4. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Firewalls equipped with IDS/IPS provide real-time monitoring and block suspicious activities before they infiltrate your network.
5. Firewall malware prevention: Firewalls filter network traffic, blocking unauthorized and potentially malicious connections to prevent malware infections.
6. Managed firewall services: Managed firewalls offer 24/7 professional monitoring, making them an ideal solution for small businesses and individuals without in-house expertise.
7. Firewall traffic filtering: Firewalls prioritize important data while blocking harmful traffic, improving both security and network performance.

Even with device-level security, a firewall provides an essential layer of network-wide protection against external threats.

What Does a Firewall Do?

Question: What does a firewall do, and how does it protect your network?
Answer: A firewall acts as a protective barrier between your internal network and external threats. It controls incoming and outgoing traffic by allowing or blocking data based on a set of security rules. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your network, reducing the risk of cyber attacks. Even if individual devices have their own security measures, a firewall offers network-wide protection, ensuring all devices are safeguarded.

A network firewall protection system offers comprehensive coverage, safeguarding every device connected to your network.

The Importance of Network-Wide Firewall Protection

Why should you have a network firewall when devices already have built-in firewalls?
While many devices have their own built-in firewalls, these protect only the individual device. A network firewall covers all devices within your network, offering centralized protection from a single point. Whether it’s a laptop, smartphone, or smart device, a network firewall ensures no device becomes a gateway for threats.

Firewall Benefits for IoT Devices in Business Networks

How can firewalls protect your business’s IoT devices?
As businesses increasingly integrate IoT devices—such as smart security systems, sensors, and connected machinery—into their operations, the importance of firewalls for IoT devices becomes vital. These devices often lack robust security features, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. A firewall can isolate IoT devices from the rest of the corporate network, preventing any compromised devices from spreading malware or accessing sensitive business data.

Firewalls help contain vulnerabilities within IoT devices, protecting critical business systems from potential security threats.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) in Firewalls

How do firewalls detect and prevent intrusions?
Firewalls with intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) actively monitor network traffic for suspicious behavior. They can block malicious attempts before they enter your network by analyzing data packets and stopping any that appear harmful in real-time.

Firewalls with IDS/IPS add an extra layer of security by stopping cyber threats before they infiltrate your network.

Traffic Filtering and Malware Prevention with Firewalls

How do firewalls prevent malware from entering your network?
Firewalls are designed to filter network traffic by evaluating incoming and outgoing data packets. If a connection seems unauthorized or suspicious, it is blocked. This prevents malware from entering your network, ensuring harmful data doesn’t compromise your system.

Firewalls play a crucial role in firewall malware prevention by blocking harmful traffic before it can do damage.

Managed Firewalls: Simplifying Network Security

What is a managed firewall, and how does it benefit you?
A managed firewall is a firewall solution monitored and maintained by security experts. This provides 24/7 protection without requiring constant oversight from you. Managed firewalls are ideal for small businesses that need advanced protection but don’t have the in-house IT expertise to handle ongoing management. For more information, contact a 1Wire expert or download our PDF for more details. 

Managed firewall services deliver professional-grade security, allowing you to focus on your business while experts handle your network defense.

FAQ

Do firewalls slow down my network?
While firewalls do inspect traffic, they are designed to do so efficiently and should not noticeably slow down your network if configured properly.

What’s the difference between a hardware and software firewall?
A hardware firewall is a physical device installed between your network and external connections, while a software firewall is installed on individual devices. Both provide protection, but hardware firewalls protect the entire network, while software firewalls protect individual devices.

Can a firewall protect against all cyberattacks?
While firewalls are highly effective, they cannot block every type of cyber attack. This is because cyber threats evolve rapidly. Managed firewalls offer the most robust defense as they are continuously updated by cybersecurity professionals to protect against new and emerging threats. These firewalls receive regular updates and security patches, ensuring they are equipped to combat the latest forms of malware, ransomware, and other sophisticated attacks.

How do I know if I need a managed firewall?
If your business lacks in-house IT support or you prefer having security professionals manage your firewall, opting for managed firewall services can provide peace of mind and ensure round-the-clock protection.