With so many businesses being online, it’s more important than ever to put measures in place to protect your business from external threats coming from the internet. Nasty malware such as trojans, viruses, ransomware and more are all lurking in the seams of the internet, and any of these can cause serious harm to your agencies computers, network, and in the worst-case scenario, the entire business. 

You may think that your agency has all the relevant security features in place to prevent a breach or believe that you’re more protected by using cloud computing. Still, with how sophisticated and clever these digital threats are becoming, perhaps it’s worth to be extra cautious, and implement a firewall to quell every chance of infection. 

What is a firewall?

A firewall is either hardware, software, or a combination of the two that provides the first line of defense in cybersecurity. Its main function is to prevent unauthorized connections and malicious software from entering your network. It does this by monitoring incoming and outbound traffic, as if like a security camera or guard, and when an external computer or program tries to gain access, it can block or allow access into the network depending on your own personal cybersecurity rules. 

Benefits of a firewall

Firewalls are extremely useful, and potentially vital, for organizations and agencies that utilize remote working, as it helps ensure that the employees are securely connected no matter what device they’re using. 

Good firewalls, such as the ones implemented by the WatchGuard T-Series, can do more than just stop potential hackers. Due to how it monitors your agencies traffic, it can help pinpoint troubleshooting issues, which, when fixed, can improve your company’s overall network. As well as this the t-series also delivers 4.7Gbps of firewall throughput, making it powerful enough to protect remote locations, branch offices and home office networks. They also support VPN, making you agencies even safer while online.

Firewalls can also ensure that your staff aren’t using the internet in potentially compromising ways when at work. It does this by blocking potentially dangerous sites and services, such as adult content websites and illegal streaming platforms, as it’s these places that are most likely to have dangerous links embedded into the code. 

However, it’s essential to know that the installation of a firewall isn’t a one and done fix that will protect your business for eternity. As potential threats are developing and updating daily, a firewall needs to be updated regularly too, as the previously inputted set of instructions can quickly become outdated if not monitored. Falling behind on the maintenance can make your network as vulnerable as it was before installing a firewall as it leaves it open to tunnels and ports that can make it easy for hackers to bypass the security measures. It also needs to be updated regularly, much like antivirus software, to ensure that it can detect the most recent threats. Thankfully, a WatchGuard t-series comes with continuous support both online and in-person to ensure maintenance and upkeep, thus making a firewall a valuable investment for any business and agency.