Protecting your network server keeps unwanted users from gaining access to any sensitive and personal information. A firewall is a software or hardware that works to control what services the network is exposed to. They essentially act as bouncers, guarding the entrance of a network and deciding which applications and databases can enter. Here are five types of firewalls to help you determine which is best for your network server.

Proxy Firewall

One of the first types of firewalls, a proxy firewall acts as a gateway between servers for applications. They protect servers by preventing any direct connections from applications outside of the network. The downside to a proxy firewall is that it has a negative effect on which applications the server can support.

Packet-Filtering Firewall

Also known as a traditional network firewall, this type provides protection by preventing unwanted traffic from getting into the network. A set of security rules are created and set to determine whether or not an application can access a specific network. A packet-filtering firewall protects against most malicious data, but needs to be updated regularly to meet ever-changing security needs.

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)

Next-generation firewalls go a step further than traditional ones by looking at the specific contents of each data packet rather than just the source and port. This allows more customization options such as creating restrictions on applications rather than denying complete access. NGFWs provide a high level of protection due to their detailed analysis of data, but this more complex process can cause some network performance problems.

Unified Threat Management (UTM)

A typical UTM device includes a traditional firewall, intrusion detection system, internet gateway security, and some features of other firewalls. These devices are designed to provide an all-around security solution for smaller businesses. UTM devices are convenient, coming in the form of a box that simply plugs into the server network. While they provide solid protection, it’s better to have individual solutions for each security element.

Cloud-Based Firewalls

As the cloud continues to take over technology, cloud-based firewalls are a popular option. Cloud-based firewalls provide the same network protection without operating at one central location. Because these firewalls are cloud-based, they are almost always available and have very little downtime. The major benefit to this type of firewall is that it can be accessed from multiple sites without the hassle of configuring separate firewalls at each location. On the downside, a cloud-based firewall makes it more difficult to determine specific security needs.

Contact Thinline Technologies Today for Your IT Solutions!

Thinline Technologies makes it our business to provide the most effective IT solutions for clients of all sizes! We offer full service IT solutions that allow you to focus on other aspects of your business needs while we focus on the technology that runs it.

At Thinline technologies, we take the time to understand your specific IT needs, train your staff on new technologies, and manage problems before they can even impact your business. For more information, visit our website https://www.thinlinetech.com or give us a call at (410)-453-9300.