What is a firewall?

You should protect your Internet connection with a firewall.

This effectively creates a ‘buffer zone’ between your IT network and other, external networks.

 

In the simplest case, this means between your computer (or computers) and ‘the Internet’. Within this buffer zone, incoming traffic can be analysed to find out whether or not it should be allowed onto your network.

Two types of firewall
You could use a personal firewall on your internet connected laptop (normally included within your Operating System at no extra charge).

Or, if you have a more complicated set up with many different types of devices, you might require a dedicated boundary firewall, which places a protective buffer around your network as a whole.

Some routers will contain a firewall which could be used in this boundary protection role. But, this can’t be guaranteed – if you can, ask your internet service provider about your specific model.

How can Cyber Essentials help you?

Cyber Essentials is a simple but effective, Government backed scheme that will help you to protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber attacks.

Cyber attacks come in many shapes and sizes, but the vast majority are very basic in nature, carried out by relatively unskilled individuals. They’re the digital equivalent of a thief trying your front door to see if it’s unlocked. Our advice is designed to prevent these attacks.

Contact Brick technology to find out why it is important that your web design and development company is accredited by the National Cyber Security Centre.