What Is A Cloud Firewall? Do You Need A Firewall In The Cloud?

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As security concerns are increasing exponentially, there has been a growing demand for advanced protection tools that can closely monitor your digital assets. Traditional firewalls might protect your data to some extent, but they are not as robust and comprehensive as cloud firewalls.

A cloud firewall has become an important security component, more now than ever. With businesses moving their workflows and assets to the cloud, they need efficient and automated security technology that can streamline their IT operations and manage security concerns.

A cloud-based firewall works in conjunction with other security tools to facilitate secure access to your sensitive database and digital assets. Let’s learn more about the cloud firewall, how it works, and why you need it for your business.

Cloud Firewall Explained

Cloud firewall, as the name suggests, is a cloud-based security program designed to guard your company against cyberattacks. You can think of it as a shield over your digital assets, restricting unauthorized access to your network.

Like software and hardware firewalls, a cloud-deployed firewall program filters the incoming and outgoing traffic based on the pre-set security protocols. The security program is all-inclusive, meaning it covers your cloud platforms, all the data stored in them, applications, and the entire infrastructure.

Firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS) or cloud firewalls are offered by your outsourced IT help desk services. They are also called Next-Generation firewalls because of their ability to deal with advanced threats and cyberattacks that have become a common cause of concern today.

Cloud firewall is one of the fastest-growing security tools. As of 2022, their market value is US $2.2 billion and is expected to reach $10.4 billion by 2032.

The best part is cloud firewalls are flexible and engineered to scale with your growing business. So, no matter which cloud platform you use, a cloud firewall can adapt to your infrastructure and work flawlessly to meet your security requirements.

How Do Cloud Firewalls Work?

Cloud firewalls create a barrier between your network and the internet. There’s not much difference between a cloud-deployed and a hardware/software firewall. They serve the same purpose—filtering out bad traffic and providing secure access to digital assets.

However, the traditional firewall is more of an on-premise security tool that protects your physical infrastructure.

The demand for network protection is expanding with new IoT, smartphones, and other tech assets launching every day. A traditional firewall is ineffective for these digital tools. That’s because your employees, clients, and business associates access your digital assets on the cloud using any device and on just about any network. Unsecured public networks put your sensitive data at an increased risk of getting hacked.

Cloud firewalls are designed keeping in mind the digital infrastructure. Working in tandem with other security tools, this advanced and robust security solution is quite effective in boosting your network performance.

Once it is deployed, the cloud firewall will match the incoming and outgoing traffic on your network against the pre-determined security rules. If it detects any malicious activity, the security tool will block the access of the site altogether or individual data packets that pose threats.

A cloud firewall can also protect your on-premises assets if they are configured to manage your digital and physical applications. Or, you can integrate them with your software and hardware firewalls for comprehensive security coverage.

Benefits of Firewall-as-a-Service (Cloud Firewalls)

Applications or data stored on the cloud can run anywhere and on any network. A company might have deployed the latest on-premise security tools to protect the company’s physical infrastructure computers and devices used within the organization.

But, what about the data accessed on multiple devices and over untrusted networks? It’s difficult to track the devices and networks your employees use outside your workplace. That’s where the cloud firewalls come into play. Let’s check out the most common perks of cloud firewalls.

1. Advanced Network Protection

Cloud firewalls include Intrusion Prevention Systems that block malicious activities and prevent your network performance from slowing down. Likewise, FWaaS covers a wide range of security tools that offer various protection plans. They include:

  • Deep Packet Inspection: Firewall works on individual data packets. And a deep packet inspection does just that. It evaluates the content in the packet, i.e. the source, IP address, and any confidential information before giving it access to your system.
  • Global Threat Intelligence: Keeping up-to-date with the latest cyberattacks or the ones previously reported is key to a successful security system. Cloud firewalls offer threat warnings, which protect your company and workforce from known and emerging threats.
  • Application Control: Cloud firewalls facilitate the secure functioning of your applications, ensuring that they don’t put your data at risk.

2. Automatic Updates

Most cloud firewall programs can update the security features automatically—when there’s a new update or a change in the security protocols. This heightens your network security. The real-time updates also guarantee maximum protection from emerging threats.

3. Scalable and Easy-to-Implement Solution

The deployment and maintenance of a cloud firewall take considerably less time than their traditional counterparts. They can be implemented without causing any disruption to your workflow.

These security solutions are designed to grow along with your business. As your business operations grow, the firewall can adapt to the increasing traffic volume and changes in your workflow.

4. Excellent Access Management

The 24/7 function of FWaaS sets this network security service apart from traditional firewalls. They are packed with backup infrastructure, advanced support service, and integrated redundancies to boost your security.

They are designed to handle traffic from multiple sources, including the internet and virtual data network. They also cover traditional data centers and ensure a seamless transition from traditional workflow to cloud operations.

Bottom Line

The smart dashboard, a wide array of security tools, and excellent protection strategies make cloud firewalls the most useful tool for companies moving their operations to the cloud. You can integrate FWaaS with other security protocols and existing traditional firewall protection programs for advanced security. For more information, work closely with your outsourced IT help desk team and deploy a suitable and scalable cloud firewall.



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