Protect Your Business: The Importance of Firewall

We think of a firewall as the foundation of your IT support. A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Essentially, it establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet. (Where you are browsing this article right now, and hopefully on a personal and not shared network.)  

Did you know that a firewall can be either hardware or software? When we work with clients, we aim for the ideal firewall configuration which involves both. In general, the role of a firewall is to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. It is a critical line of defense for businesses against a variety of cyber threats. Firewalls are essential for businesses as they provide a basic level of security that helps to protect sensitive data from being accessed by external entities.  

If you are looking to protect your company, a firewall is a must-have. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of having one in place for your business.  

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How Does a Firewall Work?

Firewalls work by inspecting data packets (small chunks of data) coming through the network traffic. They compare this data with a set of rules that determine whether each packet is to be allowed through or not. These rules can be customized to the business's specific needs.  

Firewalls can also prevent remote access and content filtering -- a key element for companies who need to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with regulations. A firewall can also log attempts to breach its defenses, which can be useful for diagnosing potential threats.

Firewalls are also particularly good at blocking malware that could otherwise spread across networks. If a recognized threat is detected, the firewall prevents it from passing through, thus protecting the business's network.  

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What are the Potential Threats to a Business Without a Firewall?

Let's be clear: without a firewall, a business is exposed to a variety of potential threats. One of the most common is unauthorized access. This occurs when an individual or a program gains access to your network without permission, potentially leading to data theft or damage.

Another significant threat is the risk of viruses and malware. These malicious programs can infiltrate unprotected networks, corrupting data and causing significant downtime. They can also be used to steal sensitive information or to launch attacks on other networks. When you're operating without a firewall, your business may also be exposed to spyware (this software collects information about a person or organization without their knowledge). This can lead to significant breaches of privacy and can also be used for identity theft!

Businesses without a firewall are also vulnerable to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. In a DDoS attack, the network is flooded with traffic, causing it to slow down or crash. This can lead to a significant loss of productivity and revenue.

And let's not forget, that without a firewall, businesses are at risk of internal threats as well. Employees may unintentionally download malicious software or access sensitive information. A firewall can help prevent these types of incidents by restricting access to certain sites or files.

As you can see, a firewall is a fundamental part of any business's overall cybersecurity strategy, and it keeps your company protected.  

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Why to ALWAYS Have a Firewall

IT attacks can hit any industry at any time. These are some real-life examples of businesses that were glad to have been proactive & implemented a firewall. Without one, we don't even want to think of what the impact could have been on these companies:  

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Tech Start-Up

Target of an SQL injection attack: Hackers attempted to exploit a vulnerability in a startup's website to gain unauthorized access to its database. Here, the firewall detected the attempted SQL injection and blocked it, preventing unauthorized access to their database.

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Healthcare Company

Target of a ransomware attack: Cyberattackers attempted to infiltrate the network and encrypt the provider's patient data, intending to demand a ransom for its release. However, the provider's firewall detected the attack and blocked it before any data could be encrypted.  

We know how critical it is to protect your patient data or risk significant financial and reputational damage to the practice. (If you're in this field, contact us right away for a free IT audit!)

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Local Store

Target of a DDoS attack: For a store offering e-commerce, attackers tried to overwhelm the business's website with traffic, intending to cause it to crash and disrupt the business's operations.  

Thankfully, they had a firewall in place that was able to detect the unusual amount of traffic and filter it out, preventing the website from crashing and a lot of lost brand revenue!

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School

Target of unauthorized access: Attackers were trying to steal research data and personal information of students and staff.  

The firewall system thwarted an attempt by detecting the intrusion attempt and blocking it, protecting the integrity of the school's records and the privacy of its community.

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Protect Your Company with IT Resources

Remember: you can't protect what you don't know is vulnerable. We've worked with all these types of companies and more; we believe it's always important to be proactive with your IT.

The first step in implementing a firewall for a business is to conduct a thorough risk assessment.  When IT Resources is completing the audit, it involves identifying the business's key data and systems, understanding the potential threats to these assets, and determining the potential impact of a security breach.  

Our IT specialists will help you choose the right firewall solution based on your specific needs and the risks identified in the risk assessment. Then, our managed IT support provides regular maintenance and updates as firewalls need to be updated regularly to protect against new threats. This includes installing software updates and patches, as well as updating the firewall's rules and configurations as the business's needs change.  

When we're done, your firewall will be robust enough to protect against identified threats, but also flexible enough to allow for your day-to-day business operations. Call us today! We'll be happy to talk all about firewalls, and how they can work for your company here in Tampa Bay or beyond.

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