Efficient network security has never been greater than in this digital age – Hence the need for Firewalls.
Day after day, we are faced with new advancements in technology. Likewise, cybercriminals up their games as well in infiltrating these various online platforms and innovations.
Thus, increased internet dependence heightens our vulnerability to cyber threats such as malware, hacking, and unauthorised access. Indeed, you’ll find various combating methods available in the virtual space.
However, we will be discussing one of the most potent and primary tools for ensuring network security — Firewalls. How do they work against cyber threats? What are their roles? Well, keep scrolling to find out!
Understanding the Roles of a Firewall in Network Security
A firewall is a security system that controls and monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined safety rules.
Usually, it serves as a barrier between a trusted internal network (like an organisation’s private network) and untrusted external networks (like the internet).
The major role of a firewall is to permit legitimate traffic while blocking malicious and unauthorised ones. Firewalls can be software-based, hardware-based, or even a combination of both.
They play a crucial role in protecting networks and enforcing security policies like;
Controls access to resources and ensures that only legitimate users or devices can connect to the network.
Tracks all traffic flowing through the network and monitors them to identify patterns of potential threats.
Collaborates with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to secure remote access to internal networks while maintaining privacy and security.
Modern firewalls possess Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) which helps to spot and block suspicious activities before they begin to affect the network.
Types of Firewalls
There are different types of firewalls. Each of these available types are curated for specific security needs. They can be widely categorised into the following:
Packet Filtering Firewalls
It is the most basic form of firewall protection. These firewalls help to checkout packets of data as they are sent and received over the network.
Also, they evaluate data based on preset times like protocols, source and destination of IP addresses, and ports. If the packet meets the criteria in the rule set, it is allowed. If not, it is blocked. Packet filtering firewalls are simple and fast.
Stateful Inspection Firewalls
This is also referred to as dynamic packet filtering. It is a more advanced firewall type that tracks the state of active connections. So, they are capable of examining packet headers and also monitoring the state of the connection.
This way, they get to ensure that the data packets are part of an active and legitimate session.
It is more thorough than packet-filtering firewalls and is better at noticing and blocking malicious data that attempts to exploit vulnerabilities.
Proxy Firewalls
These firewalls act as a middleman between the user and the Internet. For instance, when a user sends a request to the internet, the proxy firewall sends the request on behalf of the user and masks their actual IP address.
Likewise, the proxy receives the response from the internet and forwards it to the user. They offer deep inspection of traffic and are perfect for hiding the internal network and user identities.
Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
These firewalls are the advanced versions of the traditional firewalls. They merge features of a stateful inspection firewall with other advanced capabilities like application awareness, intrusion prevention, cloud-delivered threat intelligence, and user identity management.
Also, they provide comprehensive protection with deep packet inspection and application filtering. This type of firewall also possesses features like live traffic analysis, VPN support, and malware detection.
Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
These firewalls are specifically created to protect web applications from attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other common web vulnerabilities.
In addition, they filter and crosscheck HTTP traffic between a web server and the user. Thereby, preventing targeted attacks on the application layer.
Ways to Ensure Maximum Protection via Firewalls
There are various ways to ensure maximum protection through firewalls. It is always best to choose the best option suited for your particular network environment. The following are some of these ways.
- Enforce Security Policies. It is essential to clearly define firewall rules and policies. This way, you can ensure that your traffic is filtered correctly. As an admin, regularly update and review these policies to suit the latest security threats.
- Network Segmentation. Using the partitioning methods ensures that firewalls are deployed at different points of the network. This helps to limit access to sensitive data and creates multiple layers of defence.
- Regular Updates. Similar to other software, it is also important to regularly update your firewalls. Doing this helps to close up vulnerabilities and improve functionality. Therefore, protecting your network system against emerging threats.
Leverage Multi-Layered Security. A firewall should be part of a wider and multi-layered security strategy. So, it is best to combine it with encryption tools, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and antivirus software. This way you can boost the overall security.
Regularly Monitor Firewall Logs. It is vital to regularly monitor your firewall logs. This way, you get to identify unusual patterns of traffic or potential threats. Also, configure automated alerts to notify administrators of suspicious activity.
Conduct Regular Penetration Testing. It is best to test your firewall rules and configurations’ effectiveness by doing frequent vulnerability scanning. Performing this proactive approach helps to detect weaknesses or misconfigurations before the network can be exploited.
Recommendations
Firewalls are an important part of any network security strategy. This is because they offer appropriate defence against cyberattacks, unauthorised access, and data breaches.
The diverse types of firewalls are designed to protect various security needs and ensure that systems and sensitive data remain protected. When implemented correctly, firewalls offer great protection and act as the first line of defence against the ever-growing range of cyber threats.
So, ensure to implement it the right way and stay informed about emerging trends in firewall technology to get the maximum security edge at all times.
Final Thoughts
As cyber threats continue to evolve, firewall technology does too. This is why you must conduct a regular update to keep your firewall up-to-date.
Some of these emerging trends include cloud-based firewalls, the integration of AI and machine learning, zero-trust security models, and 5G network security. The availability of these help to minimise the possibility of unauthorised access.
Read more: Cyber security: Staying Safe In The Digital Age.
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