Firewall Software Evaluation Center

What Is Firewall Software?

Firewalls enable organizations to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of enterprise information communicated through computer networks. Firewalls limit the information that can be passed from the enterprise to external locations. They work as components of information security systems, or function independently to limit the damage arising from intrusion or malicious software (“malware”) such as viruses, Trojans, and worms. They also serve as a defense against such malware vectors as botnets.

Firewall Software Business Drivers and Benefits

Firewall systems help in identifying and analyzing threats to an enterprise’s network security by

• allowing secure data transfer from multiple devices and locations on different types of networks
• ensuring the safety of valuable IT assets through the use of different security protocols including data encryption, symmetric-key algorithms, and other methods
• providing a secure connection between terminals or remote offices using an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet
• supporting business rules or network security rules that identify incoming potential threats and prevent them from entering the enterprise network
• aiding in compliance with the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and other regulations such as payment card industry security standards
• automatically analyzing potential new threats to security and notifying system administrators about those threats

Firewall Risks

Organizations without effective firewall systems run the risk of company-wide threats to security:

• Unauthorized users, both internal and external, can access private networks through password theft and corrupt confidential information.
• Without intrusion protection, external threats cannot be detected and blocked.
• Without firewall rule sets and protocols with specific criteria for blocking traffic (“default-deny” rather than “default-allow”), unauthorized traffic can enter the network.

Why Use the Firewall Evaluation Center?

• Compare firewall applications to see which ones offer the functionality critical to protecting your IT infrastructure.
• Make sure your shortlisted vendors offer not only intrusion detection, but also blocking, encryption, and authentication capabilities that are a good fit for your network requirements.
• Shortlist the firewall vendors that allow you to establish business rules specific to your needs.

Most Requested Research Related to Firewall

• How to Select a Managed Security Services Provider
   
• How do I get High-ROI Opportunities from an Automated Enterprise System?
   
• Information Security Firewalls Market Report: Market Overview and Technology Background
   
• How can I Use PKI to Protect my Business Information
     
• Who Else is Using Your Wireless Network?
   
• Security Research Article Archive
   

Vendor White Papers Related to Firewall
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