- Managed firewall service providers like Certified Nerds can prevent many of these cyber-attacks.
- Organisations engage a managed firewall service provider to transfer the responsibility of configuring and managing their firewalls.
A managed firewall is a type of network security solution that combines hardware or software firewalls with a management service. This service can be provided by either a third-party vendor or an internal IT team. The primary goal of a managed firewall is to provide robust security while simplifying the management and operation of the firewall itself. In this blog, we’ll delve into the concept of managed firewalls, their key features and benefits.
What is a managed firewall?
A managed firewall is a firewall solution that is actively monitored, configured, and maintained by a dedicated team or service provider. Unlike traditional firewalls, which require in-house IT staff to handle configuration and management, a managed firewall offers ongoing support and oversight from a managed service provider (MSP) or a specialised security team.
Also read: Unlocking the power: What is managed cloud hosting?
Also read: What is a virtual firewall and why is it important?
Key features of a managed firewall
Proactive monitoring: Continuous monitoring of firewall activities to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time. It ensures immediate action against suspicious activities, reducing the risk of security breaches.
Expert configuration: Professional configuration of firewall rules and policies tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.It canoptimise security settings based on best practices and the latest threat intelligence.
Regular updates and patches: Regular updates to the firewall software and firmware to protect against known vulnerabilities and emerging threats. It keeps the firewall up-to-date with the latest security features and fixes.
Incident response: Rapid response to security incidents, including threat identification, containment, and remediation.It minimises the impact of security incidents and accelerates recovery.
Reporting and analytics: Detailed reports and analytics on firewall performance, security events, and traffic patterns.It provides insights into network security and helps in compliance with regulations.
Scalability and flexibility: Ability to scale firewall capabilities and adjust configurations as the organisation’s needs evolve.It ensures that the firewall can grow with the organisation and adapt to changing threats.
Benefits of a managed firewall
Enhanced security: Access to specialised expertise and advanced security technologies improves overall network protection.
Reduced IT burden: Offloading firewall management tasks to a third-party provider allows internal IT staff to focus on other critical activities.
Cost efficiency: Provides a cost-effective solution by bundling firewall hardware, software, and management services into a single package.
24/7 support: Continuous support and monitoring ensure that security issues are addressed promptly, regardless of the time of day.
Compliance: Helps meet regulatory and compliance requirements through detailed reporting and security management.
