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Firewall configuration is an important part of network security. It secures network traffic and avoids data breaches as well as cyber-attacks. You can consider firewalls a security wall between data resources and the outside world.
The main purpose of a correct firewall configuration is to avoid unauthorized access to the network. Today’s businesses keep tons of commercial and personal data on their bodies. Any breach in these resources can cause them a commercial, financial, and reputational loss. Installing firewall software can not provide total protection to the companies since default settings are inadequate to prevent companies from cyber-attacks and data breaches. It is easier for cyber criminals to find a security gap and leak into private networks if firewall systems are out-of-date. In conclusion, companies need a proper firewall configuration beyond dispute.
This article will explain the most common configuration mistakes in firewall usage. You can also find some beneficial recommendations for the proper firewall configuration in your organization.
Default Settings – The Unchanged Risk
The most common mistake in firewall configuration is the strict adherence to the default settings. Companies that stick to default settings in their firewall protection can not take advantage of the firewall security. First of all, cybercriminals have been working on different ways to leak into the networks. Threats and risks are changing all the time. On the other hand, default settings can only promise a minimum level of protection which can not satisfy organizations.
Firewalls come with simple passwords. If companies keep using these, hackers can encrypt them and access the private data resources of the organizations. Changing the default passwords is another vital aspect of firewall configuration. Be aware that the main cause of firewall breaches is derived from firewall misconfiguration. You can start to make up your firewall mistakes by avoiding default setting risks and converting your settings according to new requirements.
Overlooking Internal Threats
Internal threat negligence is one of the prior mistakes of any company. People usually believe that only external parties can damage networks, apps, and data resources. However, internal subjects can risk your data more severely than you imagine. It has known that the majority of data breaches are caused by internals.
Companies must consider their employees and third-party contractors to configure a firewall system properly. Even if employees do not have malicious intent to harm data resources, they can cause both financial and reputational loss. A proper firewall configuration must include policies for both external and internal threats. Otherwise, providing total security in a network is impossible.
Inadequate Logging and Monitoring
Logging and monitoring are vital for threat detection and prevention. Logging refers to recording activities that happen in the network. Critical events, suspicious activities, and unauthorized access attempts can be detected thanks to logging. On the other hand, monitoring means assessing, auditing, and analyzing user activities in the network. Both logging and monitoring processes aim to avoid unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber-attacks.
Organizations mostly rely on only firewall security software and neglect other precautions. However, adequate logging and monitoring can detect threats, prevent intrusions, and respond swiftly to actions.
Improper Rulebase Management
Firewall security rules should be changed when needed. Only optimized firewall rules can protect organizations from malicious attacks and data breaches. Companies must throw away the redundant, or unused rules in the firewalls since they have no contribution to the network security. On the other hand, new rules must be set up to avoid brand-new cyber threats and risks.
If there is not proper rule management in the firewall security of an organization, then they become more vulnerable to cyber attacks, and data breaches. IT teams must make periodic audits to detect errors, mistakes, and other misconfigurations in the rules. Unnecessary rules only slow down your firewall systems and extend your attack surface.
Ignoring Regular Updates and Patches
Update and patching negligence is the prior mistake for companies in their firewall security process. Updates and patches are so crucial for risk management and threat prevention. If there is a security gap in your network, you must patch it. A firewall that is not up-to-date can not prevent your company from falling into cyber trouble. Unpatched and non-updated firewalls can not along with software, and programs. In other words, the firewall becomes useless and passive.
Regular updates and patches are the lifeline of any firewall security system. Without proper updates and patch management, companies cannot benefit from the positive outputs of the firewalls.
Best Practices to Avoid Common Firewall Configuration Mistakes
- Firewall As a Service in Cloud Environments
The prevalence of cloud environments has been increasing day by day. Companies keep their data resources in cloud environments. Cloud systems are more complicated and more prone to cyber-attacks. This is why they also need firewall protection to safeguard data resources. For companies that have cloud environments Firewall as a Service (FwaaS) is the optimal security solution. If you have data resources in cloud environments, you should avoid traditional firewalls. It is a mistake to keep using traditional firewall security solutions for cloud systems. Instead of this, you must find and imply the most appropriate firewall solution for your network.
- A Robust Firewall Configuration Management
A proper firewall configuration management plan must include regular updates, patches, adequate monitoring and logging systems, firewall rule management, employee training, and awareness. As an IT manager or a company owner, your first task is to create a comprehensive firewall management plan. Then, you can keep working on updates, improvements, and other requirements.
- Automation
Automation can also accelerate your firewall configuration success. It presents more effective solutions rather than manual updates. Automation policies keep your firework configuration always up-to-date and avoid missing improvements. IT teams can focus more on other issues when they stop thinking about all the processes that automation solutions can do.
Enhancing Security Through Proper Firewall Configuration
Security solutions are a must for modern organizations. On the other hand, solutions or tools alone can not present a maximum level of protection. Besides one-time tools, firewall security requires regular and constant improvements. It is all about creating a robust firewall configuration in your organization.
Proper firewall configuration is also vital for companies that utilize cloud environments. Besides the very benefits that cloud environments offer, they are more susceptible to data breaches and other cyber threats. Thanks to software-based firewall solutions, FwaaS, companies now take advantage of the easiness of cloud environments without compromising their security.
You can follow some specific steps to achieve a proper firewall configuration. While the cyber world has changed and caused more trouble to companies, data protection is still possible for those who can manage firewall security solutions. Pace up with the new cyber solutions and try to implement them in your corporation for your best interests
