by The Computing Australia Group | Cybersecurity is a significant concern for any business that’s active on the internet. While the digital space is beneficial for communication and business growth, it also increases the risks exponentially. The recent spikes in incidents have taken cybersecurity straight out of IT cubicles and into boardroom discussions. Cybercrimes are on the rise, and it is high time for businesses to invest more in cybersecurity. One of the first lines of defence is a strong firewall that decreases the chances of data breaches and thefts. Read on to learn more about why is firewall important for your business.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a technology that limits the entry of external threats into your system. It is defined as hardware or software that prevents unauthorised access to a trusted network. While antivirus software prevents the installation of spyware, malware or ransomware, a firewall filters the traffic and makes sure none of those files get into your network in the first place. For Australian businesses, a firewall is one of the fundamental requirements.
What does a firewall do?
The primary function is to control inbound and outbound traffic on your network. This means that an effective firewall can prevent the entry of malicious content into your system. It also allows you to limit access within a particular network. You can block access to websites. For example, sites such as YouTube, Facebook and other non-work-related websites are often blocked by companies so that employees can focus and be productive.
Why is a firewall important for your business?
Now that you understand what a firewall is and its functions, let’s discuss the main objective of this article- why is a firewall important for your business? In a word, the answer is- safety. It drastically reduces the cyber risks aimed at your company. Here are five reasons why firewalls are a necessity for your business.
1. Prevents Denial of Service attacks
A denial of service attack or DoS is a form of cyberattack in which your server or network will be made unfit to work. In this cyberattack, hackers use multiple systems to request a connection from your servers and never respond back. By doing so, they’ll prevent legitimate users from accessing your networks or slowing down the requests. A firewall will prevent such disruptive attacks by ensuring your servers do not react to suspicious requests.
2. VPN services
3. Blocks websites
Firewalls let you restrict or block access to the websites of your choice. They can block websites that you feel are malicious or productivity affecting, like social media sites. You could set up policies that prevent employees from accessing social media sites and thus, help them maintain their productivity.4. Protects your business from malicious code
As already mentioned, firewalls monitor the traffic coming and going out of your organisation’s network. They will observe and note all the unauthorised attempts made to gain entry into your network. They also effectively recognise malicious applications and disable them. When hackers try to infect your servers with viruses, firewalls will block them.5. Avoid email session hijacking
Cybercriminals will be able to hijack your SMTP server if they gain access to your network. By doing so, they can send spam emails to your contacts. Your organisation’s reputation will be tarnished when your clients and partners receive such malicious content. Having a strong firewall in place will ensure you have safe communication with your contacts and thus preserve your brand reputation. A firewall forms the primary layer of a sound cybersecurity strategy and is essential for your business. It prevents those with malicious intent from gaining access to your organisation’s network. However, it is only the first step. Are you looking to create or improve your cybersecurity strategy? Contact us today! The Computing Australia Group offers customised digital solutions for all businesses in Perth.Jargon Buster
Server – A server is a hardware or software that stores data and provides resources or services to other computer programs over a network.
SMTP – Simple mail transfer protocol, abbreviated as SMTP, is a communication protocol used to transfer one mail from one user to another.
