A firm without a firewall is a catastrophe waiting to happen. While a firewall isn’t ideal, skimping on one might have disastrous repercussions. Learn what a Fortinet Network Firewall accomplishes for your network and the dangers you may face if you don’t have one.
Accessing the internet without a firewall is one of the most reckless things you can do on a computer. It’s the first line of protection for your network. It’s the equivalent of driving without a seatbelt on a motorway.
While you may believe it isn’t that horrible. Perhaps you assume that adhering to sound security standards is sufficient. However, you’ll quickly discover that reality is considerably less forgiving.
According to a PurpleSec analysis, since the epidemic began, cybercrime has surged by 600 percent. In 2021, 43% of reported cyberattacks targeted small enterprises, with 60% of those hit going out of business within six months.
The idea is that the more individuals who have access to your data over unprotected networks, the higher the chance of a security breach. You can’t depend just on excellent practises. In fact, according to a Tessian research, 88 percent of data breaches are the consequence of human mistake. This is where a firewall may help.
When it comes to cybersecurity systems, the first thing you should do is put up a firewall. It’s your initial line of protection, and it’ll be the first thing a cybercriminal sees if they attempt to get past your defences. It aids in the restriction of sensitive information access and the monitoring of your network for suspicious behaviour.
We’ve helped hundreds of companies improve their cybersecurity efforts at ITS. A solid firewall, in our opinion, is essential for network security.
In this post, we’ll look at what a firewall performs, the different kinds of firewalls, and the top three hazards your company faces if it doesn’t have one.
What is the purpose of a firewall?
In basic words, your firewall acts as a gatekeeper for your network. It acts as a digital doorman, determining whether or not someone attempting to enter your network over the internet is trustworthy.
The firewall will allow a connection through if it follows the rules. The firewall, on the other hand, will prohibit certain data packets from accessing your IT network if it violates any of those criteria.
What are the differences between the two kinds of firewalls?
There are two basic types of firewalls that you may pick from:
Hardware-based protection
These physical devices, also known as network firewalls, are installed between your computer and the internet (or other network connection).
Integrated small office/home office routers with firewall features are sold by several manufacturers and certain Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Hardware-based firewalls are especially effective for securing numerous computers and managing network traffic that tries to flow past them.
Hardware-based firewalls have the benefit of providing an additional layer of defence against assaults on desktop computers.
The disadvantage is that they are unique equipment that want the assistance of skilled specialists for setup and maintenance.
Firewall software
Even if you have an external firewall, most operating systems include a built-in firewall capability that you may enable for enhanced protection.
Firewall software is also available separately from your local computer store, software vendor, or Internet service provider.
If you’re going to download firewall software from the internet, be sure it’s from a trustworthy source (i.e., an existing distributor of software or a service and is offered via a secure website.)
The capacity of software firewalls to monitor each programmes’ unique network activities on a device is one of its main advantages. The fact that it is usually found on the same device that is being protected is a huge disadvantage. The firewall’s ability to identify and prevent harmful activity will be harmed if they are on the same machine.
Another downside of software firewalls is that you must manually update and maintain each device’s firewall.
What are the top three threats to your network if you don’t have a firewall?
While having a firewall does not guarantee that your company will be protect from all types of attacks, the implications of not having one are much more serious. Check out the top three dangers of not having a firewall:
1. Open to the public at all times
Without a firewall, it’s the equivalent of leaving your front door wide open. It’s as if you’re begging thieves to break into your network, which is exactly what they’ll do. A corporation without a firewall is vulnerable, since anybody may get access to their network, and they have no way of monitoring potential threats.
2. Data Access Without Restrictions
Anyone who can get into your IT network has complete access to all of your data.
Now, if you believe your tiny business doesn’t need to worry since the data it generates has little value outside of your company, you should think again. Your information is important, and hackers are well aware of this. According to the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach is $4.24 million per event, up 10% over last year’s $3.85 million.
You’re allowing attackers full reign over your data if you don’t use a firewall. They have the option of stealing your data, leaking it to the public, encrypting it and holding it for ransom, or just deleting it. Failure to use a firewall to safeguard your network is not just a costly error; it may also cost you your company.
3. Network Outages
Total network collapse is one of the scariest outcomes you might face if you don’t have a firewall. Malicious criminals may easily shut down your firm if you don’t have appropriate security. And this might have disastrous consequences for your company. Not only might you lose data, but it could take days, if not weeks, to get your systems up and running again.
According to a research done by GE Digital’s Vanson Bourne, unexpected downtime may cost a corporation more than $250,000 per hour on average. Certain sectors claimed an average cost per minute of more than $25,000 in some cases. When you include in lost production, morale, and consumer trust, it’s just a matter of time until the consequences of downtime become irrevocable.
Are you ready to use a firewall to secure your network? Avoid the dangers of not having a firewall install.
One of the most fundamental parts of cybersecurity is a firewall. While it isn’t impenetrable, it may be quite useful in securing your network when used in conjunction with other security solutions. There’s a reason why security professionals have been using them for more than 25 years.
Do you need to set up a Fortinet Network Firewall for your company? Consult Spectrum Edge Right Now !
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