Why do I need a firewall?
Without wanting to sound too much like a certain politician, walls are great, aren’t they? They keep the stuff we want inside, inside, and the stuff (or people) we want outside, outside. Now that we’re all aware of what walls do, explaining what a firewall is and why you need one should be pretty simple.
Much like any other wall, a firewall acts as a boundary between the things you want to protect (your business network) and what’s outside (the internet). Failing to set up your firewall correctly gives cybercriminals an open door to your network, so if you haven't done it yet, it’s time to "build that wall"!
If you’re still not convinced, here are four more reasons you need a firewall:
Prevent unauthorized access to your network
Without a firewall in place, cybercriminals won’t have any difficulty accessing your network, stealing sensitive data, and generally wreaking havoc. Unless you want your network to be an open house, you should get your firewall set up.
Protect your network from cyberattacks
A firewall can be used to block malicious traffic from IP addresses or domains that have been linked to cybercriminals. Blocking malicious traffic significantly reduces your chance of falling victim to a cyberattack.
Restrict access for applications and services
It’s not just users whose access to your network you’ll want to control, it’s also applications and services. When setting up your firewall, you can decide what applications and services get the green light, as well as blocking any suspicious ones. Doing this for your whole network will mean that even the least tech-savvy of employees won’t be able to land you in hot water by downloading something they shouldn’t have.
Protect sensitive data
Many industries are now tightly regulated when it comes to data protection. If you handle lots of sensitive data, you may be expected to have a firewall in place. Even if your industry doesn’t have this requirement, protecting sensitive data is still a no-brainer. Data breaches come at a huge cost, both financially and reputationally.
Setting up a firewall is essential, but it's only a small part of protecting your network from cyberattacks. That's why we've put together our Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small Business guide, covering everything you need to know.
Cybersecurity can be a daunting and complicated topic, which is why it's crucial to work with experts who can help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity. That's where we come in. At Electric IT, we're dedicated to providing our customers with top-notch cybersecurity services that will keep them safe, both now and in the future.
If you want to make sure your business is protected, get in touch today to find out how we can help.
