Your business doesn’t have to be in the IT sector to be inspired by tech. New digital solutions can transform the way you work, no matter what sector your business operates in. 

Since so many typical business operations are moving online, even businesses that prefer an analog way of working need to take some inspiration from the tech world. One important area where IT solutions are important is safety. The more operations you move online, the better your online safety protocols need to be. 

Finding a good firewall is the best thing you can do to protect your business’s security. Here are some tips for finding firewall solutions for your tech-savvy business.

Your Network is One of the Most Vulnerable Places

If your business relies on modern IT solutions, chances are, most of your operations rely on a secure, fast digital network. You use the network to communicate between devices, access cloud-based software, and manage your digital infrastructure. Protecting your network is one of the most important solutions that a tech-based business needs to have.

A network firewall does a lot of the work of protecting your network from potential breaches. There are a few different types of firewall for online security, but a network firewall is one of the most important. Network firewalls can also come in a few different varieties, depending on the way that they filter potential threats. 

When a firewall protects your network, it filters the different objects that are sent back and forth through your connection. It stops potentially harmful data packets while filtering through the objects that belong to your network. 

Since so much business infrastructure is network-based these days, the most common digital threats go through the network. Hackers and malware will target the network first because that’s the way to get sensitive data and paralyze your business. Protecting your network with a firewall is the most important step you can take for a digital-forward business. 

You Need to Decide Between Hardware and Software 

Another common way that firewalls are categorized is based on the way they are delivered to a device. Usually, they fall under the categories of hardware or software.

Hardware firewalls come as separate devices. You usually plug in the firewall next to your router, and it creates a physical gateway for your network traffic, acting almost like a guard dog. 

Software firewalls work like any other software product. You download the software onto each device that your business uses and activate it for virtual protection.

Both hardware and software firewalls have their drawbacks. Hardware firewalls are simpler to install and administer—you just turn on a box. However, they work more slowly and don’t have as much range as software firewalls. A hardware firewall is the better choice for a smaller business that is tech-inspired but not exclusively dedicated to accessing the newest technology.

Software firewalls are more flexible. You can install them on every device that your business uses and use them remotely, not just in the office. Software firewalls are more expensive, and the additional cost usually isn’t worth it for small businesses that have only one or two work computers.

There are also newer options, such as hybrid mesh firewalls, which unify the benefits of hardware and software firewalls. Compare all three options to see which one is better for your business.

Your Firewall Works Best in Tandem with Other Security Precautions

Installing a firewall significantly protects your business from cyberattacks, but it is not enough for complete coverage. Firewalls work best when you use them in tandem with other security programs, such as anti-virus software, IDPS systems, and other protocols that fill the security gaps a firewall can’t cover.

If your business doesn’t heavily rely on digital technology, you don’t need to go overboard with supplemental systems for your firewall. A good anti-virus software is the biggest addition you need to your security protocols. When in doubt, ask your firewall vendor about what they recommend using in addition to their product.

The other security precaution that you need to deploy in addition to your firewall is human, not digital. Educate your team about security precautions, such as identifying and avoiding phishing links. If your business is inspired by tech, your team should know how to use it safely.

Deploying Firewalls to Protect Your Business

Using a firewall is one of the best solutions to security challenges facing any business that relies on digital technology to do work. Before deciding on your security arrangement, analyze the areas where your business’s digital infrastructure is most vulnerable, decide between different types of firewalls, and figure out which additional security precautions you need to protect your business.