There is nothing worse than feeling insecure about your company’s data online. With constant news of firewall hacks, it is imperative that you ensure your organization is protected by not allowing unwanted visitors in to steal your data.
The first step is to understand what these firewalls are meant to do.
A Firewall’s Function
Having a good firewall in place is important. Spending extra money now will save you in the long-term as the average breach of information costs anywhere between $1.25 to $8.19 Million to recover…if a business can recover.
Think of a firewall as a goalie that prevents the other team from getting in, but the goalie also must keep an eye on what the other players are doing. A firewall will not only block unwanted internet traffic but will also record intrusion attempts so you know where they are coming from. It is not just what or who is coming in that you need to be concerned with, though. You also need to keep your employees from traveling to unsafe sites, giving access to more threats.
A “good” firewall, which may also be referred to as a UTM (Unified Threat Management System), will offer the following for your business:
- Network Access Control – This will allow approved users to access devices remotely and will usually require a VPN (virtual private network).
- Device Control – This will protect all the information on the devices you and your employees use such as tablets, mobile, or laptops.
- Application Control – This limits which apps can and cannot be downloaded by employees. Unapproved apps in addition to websites can be blocked by a firewall.
- Antivirus/Antispyware – This is to protect your devices and network from malicious spyware and viruses that would hack your laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
- Intrusion Prevention – This will protect your network by tracking who and what is coming and going by allowing access or blocking access to your network based on a set of criteria.
Options
There are many options that exist, ranging from basic to powerful, however the best option for YOUR business would depend on multiple factors. Contact Optistar to speak with one of our Senior IT Consultants to discuss your needs. Our consultants will analyze and assess your business to provide you with different types of firewall protection suitable for your organization.
Just be sure that you have the proper “goalie” or firewall in place, so you can avoid your sensitive data being accessed and stolen by cybercriminals.
