More and more small businesses today are falling victim to cyberattacks. In fact, according to The State of SMB Cybersecurity in 2024 report by IT services platform ConnectWise, 94% of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have experienced at least one cyberattack. This is a significant increase from 2019’s 64%. To make things worse, 76% of these organizations don’t have the in-house skills to handle security issues.
To protect against escalating threats, you need to implement business-grade security measures. One of the best things you can do is to implement a firewall.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a firewall is, its benefits for your business, and factors to consider when choosing one.
A firewall is a network security system designed to prevent unauthorized access into, out of, or within a private computer network.
Think of it like physical walls in a house that slow down the spread of fire until the firefighters can extinguish it. In the same way, security firewalls slow down cyberthreats before they can infiltrate an IT system.
A firewall acts as your business’s initial line of defense as it monitors and filters all network traffic. This includes incoming, outgoing, and application-layer traffic, communications, connectivity, and online transactions. It stops incoming threats using a set of rules that may also define which network areas users can access.
However, a firewall is not a silver bullet from all cyberthreats. For one, they can’t detect or block malware, especially if it is embedded in legitimate-looking traffic. Also, firewalls may not recognize new, previously unknown vulnerabilities (also known as zero-day exploits). Finally, they cannot protect your organization from phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics that rely on human error.
Firewalls can vary based on their filtering methods and be implemented as either hardware or software. The most common ones are:
The most basic type of firewall, these check data packets as they travel between computers on the internet. If a packet matches the firewall’s rules, it’s allowed to go through.
These analyze network traffic by monitoring the state of active connections in a network. They inspect the context of each data packet, such as its source and destination addresses, to determine whether to allow or block it based on predefined rules.
Also called application-level gateways, proxy firewalls function as intermediaries between the user and the internet. They inspect the data at the application level before allowing it to enter the network.
These advanced firewalls go beyond basic packet filtering and inspection. They also include features like intrusion prevention systems and application awareness to protect against more complex threats.
Hybrid firewalls use two or more types in a single private IT network.
If you’ve been wondering to yourself, “do I need a firewall for my small business?”
The answer is yes! Firewalls are a smart investment for any small business. Let’s explore some of their benefits:
When it comes to the best firewall for small businesses, the answer will depend on your business and your specific security needs.
For instance, if you’re in an industry with high security requirements like healthcare or finance, proxy firewalls are a standard as they inspect traffic data at the application level. Or if you normally deal with heavy network traffic, you need a stateful inspection firewall that can manage higher volumes and maintain faster performance.
Finally, go for a next-generation firewall if your business constantly faces sophisticated cyber threats and need a robust, multi-layered network defense.
The cost of a firewall can vary based on the type and features you need for your small business.
Remember to choose a solution that fits both your budget and security needs.
Setting up a small business firewall might seem daunting at first, but it’s manageable with a few steps:
Important tip: Not all firewalls are the same, which means the one you have for your business might have a different installation process. For more technical support when setting up your firewall, it’s best to consult an IT expert like Techmedics.
Ready to harness the benefits of having a firewall in your small business? With our managed security services, we’ll analyze your cybersecurity needs and recommend the best technologies that can protect your business from all threats. Whether you’re in Los Angeles, Dallas, or Denver, we can help. Schedule a call today.
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