The Importance Of Using A Next-Generation Firewall For Small Businesses

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF USING A NEXT- GENERATION FIREWALL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES In 2021, most people will have a general knowledge of what a firewall does and how it protects computers and networks from unauthorised access. It monitors all data that passes through the server, computer and internet to ensure nothing malicious unintendedly slips through. However, without updating to a next-generation firewall, using out-dated legacy systems will leave a business wide open to a digital attack. This is why turning to an IT MSP (Managed Service Provider) that works closely with SMBs (Small and Medium-sized Businesses) is the best way to ensure your business is fully protected. Apart from having exclusive relationships with major vendors to offer high-end software and hardware at affordable prices, their IT specialists provide a tailored approach to ensure your network is secure and protected. So, why exactly is it important to partner with an IT MSP and using a next-gen firewall in 2021 for small businesses? IMPROVE HOW YOUR BUSINESS FUNCTIONS A managed service provider will not only recommend and provide various software and hardware options such as a next-gen firewall, but they will also offer additional services including 24/7 monitoring and on-call support. This is a major benefit for small businesses as it will cut down on any disruptions, improving how the business functions. By monitoring your network 24/7, any potential security threats will be identified and quickly resolved before they can progress further and start causing serious damage. An MSP will also ensure that all your hardware and software is kept up to date and adhering to the various regulations and compliance standards specific to your business and industry. COMPLETE USER ACCESS CONTROL Operating as a network layer, a firewall will recognise all incoming requests according to their unique IP (Internet Protocol) address. This is why correctly configuring your firewall is essential, which an IT MSP can ensure is done correctly and to how your business operates. For example, deciding if you want open or closed access is important when first configuring your firewall. Closed access means that all traffic will be blocked except for any IP addresses that you allow, whereas open access means that any external IP address is allowed to send traffic to your network. Another important area is the content which your employees can access. Restricting access to websites such as Twitter and Facebook during work hours are certain steps businesses take to increase productivity by decreasing distractions. A next-generation firewall is also beneficial for acting as a safeguard against employees visiting potentially harmful websites accidentally. By setting up strict controls and prohibiting access to a certain group of websites, it can prevent staff members from unknowingly falling victim to a phishing scam and providing sensitive and crucial information into insecure websites. ENHANCED VIRUS PROTECTION Next-generation firewalls have many additional features apart from just filtering all network traffic according to IP addresses. They can also detect and block any suspicious or malicious network requests, depending on the type of firewall you choose to install. This is why it’s important to always update your firewall so it knows what types of IP addresses to block and flag as malicious. Traditional firewalls will typically focus on HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), which web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome use to load web content. But next-gen firewalls will also focus on SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). This essentially means that a business can add firewall security to their email server, allowing it to check for any dangerous attachments and viruses which could spread through incoming messages. IN SUMMARY As you can see, the potential cost and risk of using an outdated legacy system as your firewall drastically outweigh the cost of upgrading to the latest firewall. Get in contact with a leading IT managed service provider in Melbourne and upgrade to a next-generation firewall today. To get more information visit here: http://www.intellectit.com.au/what-we-offer/security/firewalls/