A firewall is a hardware or software system that filters network packets and prevents malware from entering a computer or network. It also protects against external threats, such as hackers and outside agents attempting to steal or observe data.
Some basics need to be considered to implement a firewall effectively. These include security policy, efficient administration, and configuration.
Efficient Administration
Whether it’s a small network or a large one, efficient administration of your firewall is essential. It can help you protect the entire system from potential attacks and threats.
Efficient administration can also ensure that changes in the firewall are documented for compliance purposes. It can help avoid configuration errors that could lead to data breaches.
It also helps to have strict user permission control, meaning only authorized administrators can make changes. Any unauthorized changes should be detected and reverted in case of an attack.
It can be done with a software tool that will examine the alterations made by an administrator to the firewall’s configuration. This process will prevent any loopholes from developing and hackers from attacking the firewall system.
Implementation of a firewall requires the right amount of security knowledge and resources. It also needs to be regularly maintained and upgraded.
Maintaining a firewall will require constant assessment of rules, software versioning, licensing, and feature utilization. However, it will allow your team to constantly fill any pinholes in the firewall and strengthen its cybersecurity posture.
Firewall policies should be created and managed by network or system administrators. Creating a consistent policy and documenting it well is essential to prevent confusion. This is especially true if you want to limit access to specific services and ports.
Configuration
A firewall is an important security tool that monitors and controls network traffic. It imposes a boundary between an external network and the network it guards and uses a set of pre-configured rules to distinguish benign packets from malicious ones.
Firewalls come in different models and offer varying levels of protection against cyberattacks. Regardless of the type, specific basic steps must be completed before deploying them on your network.
First, identify the assets that need to be protected on your network. Once that’s done, you can create a series of networks (or zones) that correspond to the sensitivity and function of those assets.
Next, create access lists and security rules that govern traffic between the protected networks. These should be tailored to each of the networks and the users within them.
For example, if a user’s networked applications require specific port and protocol access, configure and allow rules that accommodate those programs. It will ensure the user’s apps can work with your network without introducing unwanted threats.
Lastly, if you have multiple administrators who will manage your firewall, create additional administrator accounts with limited privileges based on their responsibilities. Always use secure passwords, and don’t share these accounts. Also, track who made what changes and why. It helps promote accountability and due diligence in managing your network’s firewall.
Security Policy
Firewalls are used to secure an organization’s internal network from unauthorized traffic. It can be done in several ways. The first step is to develop a security policy.
A security policy is a written document that lays down the standards for protecting company information and other assets. It also outlines the specific access control rules for a particular group or business entity.
Creating a formal policy can help a network administrator define the level of security necessary to protect the assets and operations of an institution. It is essential if the business is small or has multiple levels of employees and departments.
It can also help a business develop a consistent set of security standards for all employees. Without a policy, different employees and users may apply their standards.
Once a security policy is created, it can be distributed to staff as a document that defines what type of behaviour is appropriate for the network. It can reduce the misapplication of security controls.
A firewall can distinguish good traffic from malicious traffic based on pre-established security rules. The firewall then allows or blocks the data packets based on these rules.
Maintenance
Firewalls need to be maintained regularly and diligently to keep them working well. It involves monitoring and examining logs, performing vulnerability scans, and reviewing rules to ensure they’re effective.
The circuit level is where a firewall examines data packets at the transport protocol layer (TCP or UDP). It uses this information to detect any potentially malicious code, thereby preventing the infiltration of a network or device.
Preventive maintenance ensures that all equipment functions correctly and avoids unnecessary expenses related to replacement or repair. It typically includes a regular schedule of inspections, cleaning, washing, replacing, and checking.
It is also essential to maintain and update the underlying platform. It can be done manually or through an automated system that updates the software on a schedule.
A centralized approach to firewall management helps with strategic decision-making and allows for more accurate tracking of policy violations. It also allows for quick and easy reporting so a team can quickly remediate risky firewall configurations.
Security policy change audits are a great way to identify conflicting firewall rules that could lead to unwanted access. Auditing the firewall can resolve and replace these conflicts to establish a more secure and efficient firewall.
Maintaining a firewall is an ongoing responsibility, but it can be simplified by choosing an MSP with the expertise to maintain and monitor your firewall. In addition, these firms will be able to help you define policies, set up and manage your firewall, and ensure that it stays secure as your business grows and changes.
