Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to steal your sensitive information. And without a firewall, you leave your business wide open for cyberattacks. Without this digital gate keeping unauthorized users off your network, it’s easy for cybercriminals to invade your systems and gain control of your data. Strong firewall security is a must for anyone using the internet, but it’s especially important for businesses who are responsible for keeping their client’s data safe. Learn how firewalls operate so you can better utilize them to protect your business’ sensitive information.
Prevents Unauthorized Access
At its core, firewall security is all about preventing cybercriminals from accessing your business’ sensitive information. Losing your data isn’t just inconvenient, it can shut down your business. Aside from halting operations, the average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.9 million according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024. Firewalls help prevent these kinds of disasters by filtering and blocking suspicious network traffic based on your business’ access rules. This aspect of firewall security lets you restrict access to certain applications in your network based on roles and permissions. Not only are cybercriminals kept out of these systems, but so are personnel without proper clearance. This added layer of security is vital to protecting your business from external and internal cyber threats.
Blocks Suspicious Websites
Threats to your firewall security can come in many different forms. One of the most common ways malware is introduced to business networks is through websites. Anyone can make a website and make it look legit enough to trick people into clicking on and interacting with it, especially with the help of AI. Now, cybercriminals can copy the styles of legitimate organizations and write very believable copy faster than ever before. If you’re unsure whether a website is secure, there are several ways you can find out. Start by checking to make sure the site uses the protocol https:// at the beginning of the URL. The “s” here means secure so the site should be protected. Don’t just trust the site because of this though, as HTTPS sites can still have malware on them. Continue your investigation by looking for contact information and spelling or design errors on the site. If you’re still not sure, download reputable website security tools to help block cyberattacks and suspicious sites.
However, you should not rely on your employees alone to prevent malware coming in from suspicious websites. Firewall security blocks access to potentially dangerous websites, decreasing the chance of a successful malware attack. Some firewalls take this a step further by providing businesses with the ability to control what sites users can access while on network. Not only does this block potentially dangerous websites, but it can block ones that decrease employee productivity as well. Firewalls give you the power to restrict access to specific sites. For example, social media, gambling, and pornography sites can all be blocked on your network, preventing employees from accessing them. This encourages productivity as well as integrity in your business.
Monitors and Logs Unusual Activity
Strong firewall security doesn’t just respond to threats, it also learns from them so your business can prevent similar attacks from in the future. In addition to blocking suspicious actors from accessing your network, firewalls also monitor and record all network traffic. Firewalls can even be set up to alert you when a cyberattack targets your business so you can act quickly. And after your business has prevented or recovered from a cybersecurity incident, you can review the logs your firewall kept on the different traffic patterns and activities. This provides invaluable insight into how a cyberattack occurred, giving your IT team the information it needs to understand how the threat got past your systems, how long it took to identify, and if any responses could be improved.
Encourages a Zero Trust Mindset
As more and more businesses embrace remote and hybrid work, having a zero-trust mindset has become crucial to keeping your data safe. Since employees don’t have to be in the office anymore, many choose to log into business systems from another location on a foreign network or even foreign device. This makes it difficult to ensure the person accessing your business’ private data is really who they say they are and isn’t a cybercriminal. The zero-trust mindset helps protect your data by requiring every user and device to verify it’s really them before granting access to a business’ systems.
Firewall security helps encourage zero-trust architecture both in and out of office. No matter where you are, firewalls monitor network activity and restrict access to business data and suspicious websites. These practices are applied to every user, keeping an eye on everyone to ensure no malicious actors are trying to break into your network.
Understanding the Different Types of Firewalls
Not all firewalls are the same, each type offering different layers of protection for your business. Choosing the right one or knowing when to combine them is crucial to optimizing your firewall security. The main types of firewalls include:
- Packet-Filtering Firewalls: These firewalls act as gatekeepers, checking data packets or parts of a larger data message, based on IP addresses, posts, and protocols. If a packet doesn’t meet the set rules, it doesn’t get through. While fast and efficient, these firewalls offer basic protection and don’t analyze the data inside the packet.
- Stateful Inspection Firewalls: These firewalls track active connections, remembering previous packets and making smart decisions about what to allow or block. This type of firewall security is more robust than basic packet filtering and is widely used in modern business networks.
- Proxy Firewalls: These firewalls act as intermediaries between users and the internet. They inspect traffic at the application level, meaning they can filter specific content, block risky websites, and enforce user-level policies.
- Cloud Firewalls: These firewalls offer scalable and remote protection. They are often used to secure SaaS applications, remote workforces, and hybrid networks.
How to Pick the Right Firewall
When it comes to picking the right firewall security for your business, there are several factors to consider. What is the size and complexity of your network? Do you have employees who work remotely and need additional security? Are there any compliance guidelines your firewall must meet? If you’re unsure which firewall security solution is right for you, call your IT team to assess your devices and network so you can find the right fit for you.
Firewall Security FAQs
Yes, a firewall is your first line of defense against threats like ransomware, phishing, and unauthorized access.
Hardware firewalls are physical devices that sit between your network and the internet. Software firewalls run on individual computers or servers.
Firewalls can work alongside VPNs or Zero Trust Access (ZTNA) tools to ensure only authorized users access your network, no matter where they are.
A firewall is essential, but it’s only one part of a complete security strategy. We recommend combining it with antivirus software, cybersecurity training for all employees, secure backups, and a managed detection and response system.
Ask your IT provider to perform a security audit to check your firewall’s rules, performance, and vulnerabilities. If it’s outdated or misconfigured, either have an IT professional look at it or upgrade your firewall.
Firewalls need regular updates to stay effective against the latest threats.
A firewall can block many ransomware attacks by stopping the initial intrusion or preventing communication with malicious servers.
Yes, firewalls allow you to block certain websites, limit access to specific content categories, and even control bandwidth use. This helps with business productivity and security.
Your IT team should be notified immediately, investigate the issue, and stop the threat. They should also review your network data to understand how the threat occurred so they can better prevent it in the future.
Start by booking a consultation with us. We’ll evaluate your current setup, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend the right firewall solution based on your goals and budget.
Learn How to Keep Your Business Network Safe
Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to break into your network and steal your sensitive information. While having a reliable firewall security system is important, it isn’t the only step you can take to protect your business. Sign up for our free cybersecurity e-course to get weekly tips on what you can do to mitigate cyber threats and prevent disastrous data loss.
