This is some basic-business-101…something you need to know, but we’ll be slightly geeky for a second or two. First of all you need to know what a router is. A router is simply a device that connects 2 networks. Your home (or business) network and the internet is the most common use of them. It lets network traffic pass freely between those two networks. Without routers, there would be no internet.
A firewall is a specialized router which allows YOUR network (the “protected side”) go to the internet freely, but prevents the internet from coming to your protected side. The same is true for a firewall within a computer…it prevents things from accessing your computer from the network its connected to. But this discussion is about a physical box that sits in your office (or home) somewhere doing its “firewall” job for everyone in your local network.
Firewalls are critical to the relative safe operation of any business network. Without it, anything (everything) on the internet would have free-reign to attack your computers and other network devices at will. The firewall is instrumental in preventing this from happening.
However, your firewall is completely useless if it’s not set up or maintained properly. To be effective, your firewall needs to be upgraded and patched on a continual and consistent basis, and security policies and configurations set and maintained. This is where an expert is required as firewall configurations are somewhat advanced…anyone can plug one in, but only those with substantial network experience can make it be RIGHT for your business!
If you’re a Partner Protect client, we got you covered, don’t sweat this stuff. If not, you might should gives us a call!
