Managed Firewall Blog Series Part 1| Next-Gen Security for Next-Gen Threats – Why Organizations Are Adopting Managed Firewall
Remote and hybrid work continue to redefine the modern office, and likewise the potential for a security breach becomes a major challenge. Traditional firewall solutions help to mitigate these threats, but the burden of solution management and maintenance falls on internal IT staff. To ensure the health and safety of the network, organizations have begun to move to a managed firewall service, which provides certified security experts and constant monitoring to maintain a protective barrier between employees and malicious threats.
In part one of this two-part blog series, we highlight how a managed firewall service can reshape modern cybersecurity policies, empower operational capabilities and protect remote and hybrid workers.
Understanding Managed Firewall Services
Similar to traditional firewalls, managed firewall services provide organizations with enhanced control over their network security, including firewall configuration, monitoring, and updates. Unlike traditional firewall solutions, however, companies will outsource firewall management to security experts who monitor the health of the network and alert the organization of any potential cyber threats. This solution can be exceptionally beneficial for businesses with limited IT resources or those needing robust security measures for remote employees.
Modern Workplace Security Challenges
While remote work has transformed worker productivity and connectivity, remote and hybrid offices have also introduced several security challenges:
- Reliance on unsecured networks – Whether on your home Wi-Fi or on a public network – remote individuals accessing data and apps are more vulnerable to potential cyber threats.
- Increased endpoints – More devices connecting to a company network will increase the attack surface. This then requires additional security policies and tools to ensure appropriate authorization and access.
- Limited IT oversight – Without direct or continuous network monitoring, employees may unknowingly expose sensitive data. Even with a dedicated IT team, enforcement of a company’s security policy may be limited for remote devices.
A managed firewall service addresses these concerns by implementing advanced security measures and policies without requiring employees to manage these cybersecurity protocols themselves.
5 Reasons Why Organizations are Adopting Managed Firewall Services
- Real-Time Threat Monitoring and Prevention
A managed firewall continuously monitors network traffic, identifying and blocking suspicious activity before it can cause real harm. This proactive approach offers 24×7 monitoring to reduce the risk of malware, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access attempts.
- Secure Access Control
Managed firewalls enforce strict access policies, ensuring only authorized users and devices can access company resources. With the introduction of policies such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based permissions, an organization can increase its layers of security without restricting access.
- Advanced Filtering and Encryption
Firewalls filter incoming and outgoing traffic, blocking malicious websites and unauthorized data transfers. Additionally, modern firewall solutions offer advanced capabilities such as encryption protocols to help safeguard sensitive data transmitted between employees and company servers.
- Automated Updates and Patch Management
Cyber threats are constantly looking to exploit security gaps, making outdated security measures even more dangerous. Managed firewall services automatically update security rules and software patches, ensuring defenses remain resilient against persistent threats.
- Compliance Support
Many industries and organizations have strict security regulations, such as HIPAA, SOC 2 or CMMC. A managed firewall service can adhere to specific compliance standards by enforcing the desired security policies and keeping logs of network activity.
Simplifying Network Security with Red River
With the rise of remote work, cybersecurity will continue to be top of mind for every industry. A managed firewall service ensures remote employees can work securely, protecting sensitive data while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.
To meet this demand, Red River has partnered with industry leaders like Cisco to deliver a comprehensive managed firewall offering. By combining Cisco’s innovative firewall technology with Red Rivers 24×7 managed services capabilities, customers gain peace of mind for their perimeter security, remote-access VPN solutions and extranet connectivity.
To learn more about how Red River and Cisco are delivering an end-to-end managed firewall service, be sure to check out our landing page and join us for part two of this blog series.
