What is a Firewall and How Does It Work? A Quick Guide

06 January 2025

We live in a world where cyberattacks grow faster than the tools available to prevent them. Probably every single minute, many businesses who’d have once dreamed of becoming successful are now falling victim to hacking, malware, and data breaches, ruining their years of hard work. However, the solution to all these might lie in using a firewall. From preventing unauthorised access to identifying potential threats, firewalls can give your business effective and robust protection. That being said, let us understand what is a firewall and how it can help your organisation grow.

What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a security system designed to manage and regulate network traffic in an organisation. Moreover, many organizations now integrate them as part of broader managed cyber security services, helping provide comprehensive protection. It allows safe traffic while blocking any potentially harmful activity.

Considered as a protective barrier, a firewall separates internal networks from external ones, helping make sure that all the unauthorised access is filtered out effectively. Having firewalls play a vital role in securing both personal and business environments.

This approach can help make sure that every data request is carefully monitored before allowing them access. However, in 2017, the National Cyber Security Centre reported that its protective measures, also known as the "Great British Firewall," were successful in blocking around 54 million malicious attacks.

Not only this, but NCSC also took down 120,000 fake websites, highlighting the importance and effectiveness of firewall implementations in the United Kingdom.

What is the Purpose of a Fire Wall?

There are a number of reasons why current businesses should use a firewall, particularly those who deal with sensitive customer data or lack high-quality managed cyber security services.

Firewall Types

There are different types of firewalls, based on your needs, they can help identify potential threats and filter out unauthorised profiles. This includes

Packet Filtering Firewall: Packet filtering is considered among the most basic firewalls. By examining small data packets, they work based on factors, including source, port number, destination address, and protocol. The packets are then routed according to the rules set by the organisation.

Stateful Firewalls: Using stateful firewalls, you can control how data packets will move through your firewall. Also known as dynamic packet filtering, this can be a better alternative, helping check if the packet really belongs to your particular session or not. This is especially helpful for organisations using financial data or relying on financial services IT support for security.

Application Layer: For most, these particular firewalls are used to inspect application layer data, such as HTTP requests. In case any suspicious application is found that could potentially harm your organisation’s network, this can automatically block it right away.

Proxy Firewalls: Unlike others, proxy firewalls work as an intermediary between internal networks and external web servers. They enhance security by filtering messages at the application layer, making sure that external connections cannot directly access the protected network.

Understanding What a Firewall Does Exactly

In several ways, getting firewalls has become a necessity, especially if an organisation expects to maintain strong cybersecurity. They help shield your computer network by blocking unknown visitors and traffic. They also analyse and verify data packets within network traffic before permitting them to access the files and data.

Moreover, in several workplaces, employees’ computers are equipped with firewall software, while the entire network is protected by hardware firewalls as part of their managed cyber security services, getting enhanced safety.

Depending on where you have installed it, it may provide safety against potential issues and act as a barrier to threats rising at the network perimeter. This is also a common feature in financial services IT support strategies to secure operations. Whether a software program or hardware appliance that is safeguarding your corporate network or computer, implementing a firewall is vital to all network security.

How Does a Firewall Work?

They are available both as a hardware device and a software application. However, their main role is to protect your network from cyber criminals who may try to break into your system.

Once installed, they work continuously and filter incoming data, scanning for anything suspicious and removing potential threats before they can cause breaches into your network. To put it simply, a firewall works like a security guard for your network, blocking any suspicious things coming in or out of your network.

Moreover, especially in the financial industry, they have become quite a vital part of financial services IT support, ensuring secure transactions and protecting against breaches. It identifies potential threats and keeps them out, helping prevent harm to your data.

Conclusion

Installing firewalls can be beneficial, in many ways, to protect your organisation’s network from a variety of online threats. Whether you are facing problems with unauthorised access, uncontrolled user activity, or managing resources, if firewalls are implemented, you can be assured that your network will remain safe and secure. Therefore, opting for firewalls is your ultimate solution, with long-term, effective safety against several potential cyber issues.