Why Do You Need a Network Firewall? | Firewalls for Small Businesses

As a South Charlotte business owner, you work hard to bring valuable products and services to your community. Unfortunately, your efforts could easily be destroyed by malicious online actors. If these cybercriminals gain access to your network, they could cause significant damage, amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands in losses.

Don’t assume that you’re less likely to suffer an attack just because your company is small. In reality, many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are targeted precisely because their owners hold this assumption and neglect to invest in much-needed digital protection.

The good news? A variety of security options are available to safeguard your business against today’s top cyber threats. That being said, it can be difficult to know where to start. When in doubt, a business firewall is a great solution. This security essential acts as a powerful barrier, allowing you to keep an eye on all traffic and block anything that could cause problems.

Still not convinced that a strong network firewall is an urgent necessity for your company? The following are just a few of the many benefits that a dedicated business firewall can provide:

Protecting Against DDoS Attacks

Many entrepreneurs are well aware of the risks that viruses and malware hold, but not all are prepared to defend their networks against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. This failure could lead to significant problems down the road, especially as DDoS becomes an increasingly common cyber threat for small businesses.

During a typical DDoS attack, malicious players attempt to crash business websites by flooding their servers with fake requests from a variety of sources. This can quickly take sites offline, leading to long periods of downtime, and ultimately, major financial losses – not to mention reputational damage.

While a firewall alone may not prove sufficient for preventing DDoS attacks, it can deliver valuable perimeter control. When incorporated alongside other security measures, this can be a powerful first source of protection for your otherwise vulnerable network.

Blocking Employees from Specific Websites

Although business firewalls are typically thought of as a solution for monitoring incoming traffic, they can also be used to prevent certain individuals from accessing websites that you’d prefer them to avoid. For example, many businesses use firewalls to keep team members away from social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Similarly, websites that contain explicit content can be blocked as you see fit. This is valuable not only due to liability concerns but also as a means of enhancing productivity among employees.

Improving Secure Access with Virtual Private Networks

If you’ve yet to set up virtual private networks (VPNs) for your business, now is the perfect time to get started. These are provided with many of today’s top Mac or Windows firewalls. They allow your team members to retain access to important data when they’re at home or on the go. This makes for a flexible solution, especially if your employees work remotely or regularly travel for business purposes.

Addressing the Shift to the Cloud

Firewalls are essential for all types of businesses, but they’re increasingly vital as companies shift their operations to the cloud. Solutions specifically developed for the cloud can be called upon to protect servers not only from malicious traffic that arrives from the outside but also against insider attacks or even threats that take over the entire cloud server.

Achieving Digital Security Compliance

In some industries, a strong firewall is a critical component for achieving compliance with digital security standards. Experts like the certified technicians from NerdsToGo can help you determine whether your firewall is capable of ensuring such compliance and, if not, which additional measures might be necessary to keep your business up to date with the latest requirements for your sector.

The Need for Firewall Security, Maintenance, and Updates

Initial firewall selection and setup are important, of course, but a business firewall isn’t something you can simply apply and forget about. Like any security feature, it must be carefully monitored and maintained to ensure your ability to detect and respond to emerging threats. If your business has operated under the same firewall approach for several years, it’s time for an update.

NerdsToGo South Charlotte: Your Trusted Small Business Security Resource

Are you ready to implement a new business firewall or update your existing setup? Perhaps you’re on the hunt for other solutions to keep your South Charlotte network safe. Either way, you can count on your local experts at NerdsToGo for guidance. We can help you select and implement a variety of business IT solutions that will protect you from today’s most significant threats.

At NerdsToGo, we’re well aware of the time and effort it takes to shield your business from malicious parties. We’re happy to take over, so you can focus on running your enterprise. In addition to firewall setup, we offer various remote services designed to enhance convenience for you and your employees.