Proactive cybersecurity is critical to ensure that an organization’s devices and data are protected from the wide array of threats that are growing by the day. Since 2013 there are approximately 3,809,448 records stolen from breaches every day... 158,727 per hour, 2,645 per minute and 44 every second of every day reports Cybersecurity Ventures, so it’s important that businesses take an honest look at their IT infrastructure and identify any vulnerabilities.

And one of the most crucial components of any security strategy is the perimeter defense provided by a sophisticated, well-maintained firewall.

What is a firewall?

In architectural terms, a firewall is a physical divider which protects one area from another in the event of a fire. The firewall helps to contain flames, preventing them from spreading to other sections within a building.

Digital firewalls act in a similar way by placing a digital barrier between what’s going on inside and outside of a network – they block malware, unauthorized access, and other forms of penetration – essentially regulating all traffic that is allowed through a network. Firewalls come in many forms, as they can be either software- or hardware-based.

Common problems with today’s firewalls

Firewalls can be ineffective for a number of different reasons, a few of which include:

• Not updated regularly
  Too often, companies will install some type of firewall and fail to keep it updated. While a basic firewall may protect your network from some attacks, not updating it regularly can render it useless. Hackers will often take advantage of outdated firmware on firewalls to infiltrate your network.
  
  Lack of updating is exactly what happened with the WannaCry ransomware attack that occurred in 2017. Cybersecurity experts found that more than 200,000 victims of the attack would have been spared if they had simply installed an available patch.


• Companies rely on basic firewalls that may not be enough
  Today, most routers and computers come equipped with some form of firewall. While these firewalls may be sufficient in certain instances, they’re often not as strong as some companies need them to be. As your company’s needs and network grow, it’s worth it to invest in a business-class firewall that offers more robust security services.
  
  These stronger firewall solutions offer constant updates and are able to monitor the data that flows into and out of your network to spot anomalies that could be missed by lesser firewalls.


• Incorrectly configured firewall devices
  Just because you have a firewall in place doesn’t mean it’s working correctly. Data from Gartner suggests that through 2020, more than 90% of all firewall breaches will occur due to user misconfiguration, not flaws in the technology itself. This shows the value in partnering with a cybersecurity firm who has successfully configured firewalls for different networks across a variety of industries.

A firewall is one of the most critical components of any cybersecurity plan

If your organization has failed to keep your firewall up to date or, crucially, doesn’t have a good solution installed at all, it’s time to do something about it. Hackers are actively looking for vulnerable systems and networks with insufficient security measures. It’s only a matter of time before your network is compromised.

At Datum Consulting, we’re well-versed in the latest firewall technologies that keep our client’s networks secure from the growing number of threats. To learn more about how your cybersecurity plan stacks up, reach out to our team by phone or through our online contact form for a complimentary consultation.