What is a Firewall?
A firewall was originally a physical wall designed to segment a building to prevent or slow the spread of a fire. IT firewalls share this name because they were initially designed for a similar function: preventing unwanted network traffic from passing from one side of a network to the other. Before NAT (Network Address Translation) existed, every computer on the internet had a public IP address, making firewalls a critical security measure.
The Evolution of Networks
As networks evolved, firewalls also advanced. Initially, they only blocked unwanted traffic, but over time, they incorporated additional services, transforming into comprehensive network management and security devices. Features such as DHCP and DNS, content filtering, virus scanning, sandboxing, and application control became standard. Firewalls progressed from simple traffic blockers to Unified Threat Management (UTM) devices, then to Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW), and now to Machine Learning Next-Generation Firewalls (ML-NGFW).
With these advancements, complexity has increased as well. Firewalls have become the core security service for many businesses. However, they can only protect devices behind them.
The Modern Mobile Workplace
Modern workplaces rely on mobile devices that access critical data from various locations. Much of today’s data resides in the cloud rather than on physical servers protected by traditional firewalls. As physical offices become more of a stop-by point for coffee, meetings, and storage, the need for security solutions that extend beyond a physical location has grown.
This is where cloud firewalls become essential. They provide protection where data and users operate. A physical firewall is comparable to a safe used to store important personal documents—it works well for securing items that don’t require frequent access. However, some documents, like a driver’s license or vehicle registration, need to be readily available. Similarly, IT infrastructure security must extend beyond on-premises devices to cover cloud-based data and remote users.
Cloud Firewall Technology
Cloud firewall technology is critical for securing modern IT infrastructure. The focus on physical infrastructure alone is no longer sufficient in an era where cloud-based applications and remote work are the norm.
DataTel’s SGN (Secure Global Network) is a cloud firewall (ML-NGFW), a cloud switch, a cloud router, and a centralized security platform that ensures consistent connectivity and security on any device from anywhere.
If you would like to discuss your cybersecurity posture and growth strategy with our IT services experts, schedule a consultation at your convenience.
