Did you know that cyberattacks of every kind increased by over 100% in 2021?

As the world relies more and more on online services, hackers are finding ever bigger payoffs. Businesses need the best in managed IT services. A key part of their security plan needs to be a firewall for network security.

Network firewall security is not a fire-and-forget solution. Maintaining that firewall will ensure it’s up to date, thwarting future cyber intruders.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why it’s so important to maintain your firewall.

1. A Firewall for Network Security Stops Malicious Software

Hackers create an estimated 350,000 pieces of malicious code every day. That means they will have created millions of new viruses by the end of this month alone.

Until software developers can patch the exploits these viruses use, the only way to keep them out is with an updated firewall. Updating your firewall on a regular basis ensures that those new viruses don’t make it into your network. An outdated network is a goldmine for bad actors.

2. It Prevents Unauthorized Access

Hackers are always probing your networks for ways to get in. They look for glitches in software that can provide unauthorized access to important aspects of your system.

Proper network firewall security means denying these requests in the first place. By keeping out questionable traffic, you keep your network protected. Then the only people who can connect are those with access to the company VPN.

3. It Helps You Better Monitor Your Network

It’s important to know at all times what’s going on on the network. But network admins are busy, and there are a lot of devices to monitor.

A firewall lightens the burden on an administrator with too much on his plate. By restricting external connections, there is less traffic to examine. That eases the workload and provides superior security.

4. It Gives You Better Control of Bandwidth

Using higher bandwidth isn’t just a concern for internet bills. It’s a security concern, as well. 

Oftentimes, hackers will disguise their actions with another connection. They may pretend to be another, non-malicious server in order to interface with yours. 

Sometimes, one of the key tells of a cyber attack is suspicious bandwidth. High bandwidth from a service that isn’t common is a bad sign. By updating your firewall, you can cut off access and secure your network.

5. It Restricts Access to Sensitive Information

Oftentimes a firewall will have multiple layers. It will protect against external access, and then create restrictions on what internal users can do as well. 

It’s important that a low-level employee not have access to IP secrets. A firewall serves to restrict the actions of employees to their respective purviews. Since your employees can be bad actors as well as outside hackers, you need good internal security.

Get Managed IT Services Today

A firewall for network security is not an option in today’s internet-run world. It’s an essential tool for monitoring traffic and keeping out unwanted connections. It can protect your network from malicious software as well as hackers.

Looking for IT services? Inception Network Strategies can help you find them. Take a look at their services today and find out how you can improve your network.