Firewall is an advanced security software or hardware which protects the network and computer systems from viruses and hackers. It keeps track of the incoming, outgoing traffic for the network to only allow safe and authorized data to transit. Other than protecting the network and end users from getting attacked by viruses, the rationale of using the firewall is to keep the company’s confidential data safe.

In short, data is the core of many businesses in the world today and Singapore as an IT focused country is not an exception. The use of firewall is extremely important for every business especially government sectors as high confidential documents must be kept secured from hackers. While the firewall protects sensitive information from leaking and enter, it can be also programmed to deny access for users to visit “risky” websites. Therefore, strengthening the cyber security management of your workplace.

1. Most of the current computers running on Windows today comes with an inbuilt firewall. (as per 2019)
2. A firewall is able to keep other parts of the same network unharmed even if a part of it is being hacked.
3. Firewalls can be classified into software, hardware or managed services.
4. A firewall will monitor and classify every messages before it meets the criteria to leave or enter the network.

1. Lowering the risk of visiting risky websites by blocking the access to certain types of websites.
2. When an employee tries to transmit sensitive data out, the firewall can be pre-configured to block such actions.
3. Firewalls can also prevent guest machines from accessing to computers in the protected network.