A firewall is a network security system that could be either hardware or software that safeguards a trusted network from unauthorized access by other networks and threats. Although antivirus software protects the file system from malicious programs, a firewall prevents attackers, hackers, and other external threats from accessing your system.
A popular misconception about firewalls is that they are only required in large corporations or financial institutions. That is not the case. Regardless of the size of the company, every business with a network should have a firewall. This is why cyber insurance is crucial. Here are some things that a strong firewall can do for your business:
A firewall serves as a barrier or a shield between your company's internal network and the rest of the web, protecting you from cyber liability. External users may gain access to your private business assets if you do not have a firewall in place. Network Address Translation (NAT) does not block incoming traffic, only a firewall is capable of doing so.
Powerful firewalls will inspect the traffic entering and exiting your network. They search for and block viruses, spam, worms, and other malicious Internet traffic. They will also keep track of attempted intrusions and other violations. This allows you to investigate attempts at unauthorized access as well as other suspicious activity.
A firewall can do a lot more than just protecting your computer. It can also be used to monitor and limit the network bandwidth that flows through it. For instance, you can restrict network bandwidth for non-business videos and music, reserving bandwidth for business traffic that demands higher priority.
A firewall can prevent your users from accessing specific external websites in addition to preventing unauthorized external users from accessing your network. For example, you could implement a policy that restricts network access to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Now that you know the importance of getting cyber insurance, get insured for general liability too. This is necessary to help cover the costs for any third party damages. Learn more on our guide to general liability with Assured Standard today!
Marie Brown is an insurance underwriter. She completed her Economics degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With her expertise and dedication, she ensures her clients’ insurance applications are approved.
