One of the first steps in protecting your equipment from an Internet intruder is the installation of a firewall. The firewall is placed between your high speed connection to the Internet and your in-house equipment. Most firewall systems are able to monitor traffic coming in from and going out to the Internet. With special “rules”, the firewall can be configured to block intruders from accessing your equipment. These same “rules” may allow a company to restrict certain employees from accessing the Internet.
Basic firewall considerations during the design, implementing and overseeing process include:
- Determining the overall objectives of the firewall. In this initial stage, the acceptable level of risk and operation of the firewall are considered. Should the firewall deny all access except those critical to the mission of connecting to the Internet? Should it provide an audited record of activity?
- Establishing a checklist through a needs analysis and risk assessment. Once the level of risk has been determined, a company must decide what needs to be monitored, permitted and denied.
- Implementing solutions according to financial considerations. Lower end solutions may include routers, Microsoft Proxy Server or “solutions in a box”. Higher end implementations may be required in order to protect your in-house equipment from Internet intruders.
Companies must determine which firewall solution is best for their specific needs. Using the resources of a firm that specializes in firewall solutions, such as San Diego PC Help, provides additional assurance that the company will achieve its goals and objectives.
Firewall Limitations
Firewalls have limitations and can’t protect companies from all types of attacks. Discover the top 10 firewall limitations and their impact to your home or organization.
Related Links:Newsnow: firewall / security
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/newsfeed/?name=Encryption+/+Security
Zone Labs Firewall Software
http://www.securitynewsportal.com/index.shtml
What is a firewall?
http://www.nwinternet.com/~pchelp/security/firewalls.htm Hacker Probe: Test your firewall