No firewall? You’re playing with fire

One question we’re often asked at Arc Systems is: ‘What’s a firewall and why does my business need one?’

The simple answer is a firewall acts as a kind of gatekeeper between the internet and your IT network.

However modern firewalls do so much than this! At Arc Systems we’re partners with Sophos, who supply a state of the art firewall under their XG Next Generation Technology.

Sophos is positioned as the best-in-class for visibility, protection and response. When combined with Sophos InterceptX, we are able to expose hidden risks and isolate infected systems via Sophos Synchronized Security.

The main fact is that firewalls are a must for all businesses. This article looks some of the reasons why they are so vital.

YOU’LL REDUCE THE RISK OF CYBER ATTACKS

A firewall is there to control the traffic that goes into and out of your network via the internet.

This helps keep out cyber threats such as malware so your business data stays safe from encryption and theft.

A properly-managed firewall will be regularly configured and updated to recognise the latest threats, so it can block them before they wreak havoc with your data.

Without a proper firewall, your business is at serious risk of lost productivity and unexpected costs due to cyber attacks.

What’s more, you could find yourself in breach of Data Protection regulations, GDPR. These require you to have robust systems in place to keep personal data safe, and to test them regularly.

YOUR NETWORK WILL BE MONITORED FOR SECURITY BREACHES

Of course, a security breach can still happen even if you have a firewall. But Sophos can monitor your systems and alert your network administrator as soon as a security breach or risk occurs.

Any problems can be spotted at an early stage, giving you the chance to nip them in the bud and minimise any damage or data loss.

YOU CAN CONTROL HOW EMPLOYEES USE THE INTERNET

Accidentally or otherwise, there’s a risk of team members introducing a virus or other threat to your network by visiting an infected website or opening a malicious email attachment.

It is important to train your staff about IT security and make sure they understand how to spot threats such as phishing attacks.

It’s not just about security, though. You may prefer your staff not to use the internet for personal use at all and ban access to sites such as social media or online shopping.

And if certain team members don’t need online access to do their jobs, you can stop them from using the internet at work. It might sound a bit harsh, but your business really needs to come first!

YOU’LL HAVE CENTRALISED CONTROL OVER THE FIREWALL

As you may know, each individual piece of hardware in your infrastructure probably has its own firewall.

This offers basic protection, although it won’t be enough for most businesses. Also, there’s no central control, so each firewall has to be configured and maintained individually.

Unless your IT infrastructure is very basic, this could cause you a lot of time and hassle. But if you don’t do it, your systems will be laid wide open to the new strains of malware and viruses that are constantly being developed by cyber thieves.

There’s also the risk of individual users fiddling with their security settings, which could compromise your entire network.

A proper firewall takes away these problems by providing a centralised solution that your network administrator or Managed IT Support provider can manage and control.

STILL NOT CONVINCED?

You might think you’re OK without a firewall, perhaps because all your data is held in the cloud, or you’ve had no problems to date.

But believe us, you’re playing with fire if you take this approach. Cyber attacks on small and medium-sized companies are on the increase and with only basic protection, you’re putting your business at risk.

Human error, or even deliberate sabotage by a disgruntled employee, could pose a threat, too.

ARC SYSTEMS CAN HELP WITH ALL YOUR IT SECURITY NEEDS

We understand that you may not know the exact level of protection that your business needs. But that’s where Arc Systems can help.

We can assess your existing infrastructure, as well as your current and future business needs, and recommend an appropriate IT security package.

Please read our Managed Firewall Security page on this website for further details. You can also find out more information about Sophos and how they can help your business.

LIKE TO KNOW MORE? GET IN TOUCH TODAY!

Our friendly and experienced team are ready and waiting to discuss your IT requirements. why not contact Arc Systems today and find out how we can help your business?