What is a firewall, and how does it enhance network security?
Hey Alex
A firewall operates by evaluating the data packets based on various attributes like IP addresses, ports, and protocol types against its set of defined rules to decide whether to allow or block the traffic. Modern firewalls, often termed as Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), extend traditional firewall functionalities by integrating additional features such as intrusion prevention systems (IPS), application awareness, and identity-based access controls. They can inspect the content within packets, identifying and blocking malicious traffic or unauthorized applications.
Additionally, firewalls can log traffic data, generating reports for analysis to help in understanding network activities and improving security policies. By creating a robust defense perimeter, firewalls play a critical role in a network’s security architecture, mitigating risks, and ensuring a secure and controlled network environment.