All about firewall as a service

Technology is developing at an ever-increasing pace, and this brings new security concerns. You have probably heard that a firewall is one way to increase the security of the network perimeter (either of a server or a network segment) since it prevents unauthorized access, right? Well, technology has greatly evolved to protect your connection, and now you are going to learn all about firewall as a service.

As people are more connected, malicious users have more opportunities to obtain valuable information and commit crimes. It is crucial that individuals and businesses are aware of the dangers of technology and take steps to protect themselves in this new world.

Read this article to learn how our chances of protection have greatly improved with the constant evolution of Information Systems and tools. Technology has improved to the point that we can now install these protective barriers for our systems and set them up completely remotely.

We will also elaborate on some the features behind the technology, how it works and how we can take advantage of it for our businesses. Here’s what FWaaS is, how it works, and the differences compared to the conventional firewall pattern. Enjoy your reading!

What is FWaaS and how does it work?

To understand FWaaS, let’s first review some important topics, starting with Cloud Computing. This is a new way of storing data and running applications.

Instead of using a local computer, users access information and programs hosted remotely on servers on the internet. Patterns may range among the following:

• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): when an organization’s system uses the entire infrastructure of a partner company to connect its applications. The storage servers and data processing are carried out by the operator of these services;
• PaaS (Platform as a Service): this is the next layer of the cloud. The operating company provides a platform for application development and deployment, as well as the infrastructure;
• SaaS (Software as Services): this is basically the provision of a cloud system ready for use. The user just logs on to the system via an internet-connected device and uses the product.

FWaaS (Firewall as a Service) is another possibility. Let’s explore this feature a little further. Firewall literally means “fire wall”. It is a security technology used to prevent unauthorized access to networks or computers. A firewall can be software, hardware, or even a combination of both, intended to monitor incoming or outgoing connections and, depending on the implemented security policy, blocking, accepting, or limiting access.

Now that we have discussed the details, let’s get down to business. FWaaS is a service that allows you to manage and monitor firewalls remotely through cloud computing. It provides a simplified and intuitive web interface to set up the tool, track network traffic, and analyze security logs.

Why should I use an FWaaS?

As we have already examined, a firewall is like a device that helps protect your network from outside attacks. It monitors incoming and outgoing connections and blocks unauthorized traffic, allowing only traffic previously designated as legitimate to pass through. This means that attackers cannot use your computers to obtain confidential information or damage your systems.

Benefits of using FWaaS for your business

FWaaS offers some advantages in the realm of information security for corporations, as well as facilitating setups for an entire network, making maintenance processes much faster, not requiring the agent to physically perform the necessary updates and modifications on each device.

Find below a summary of the advantages of FWaaS:

• Location: FWaaS can be deployed in the cloud or locally, depending on the company’s need. This allows organizations to place their security solution wherever is best for them;
• Scalability: FWaaS is extremely scalable and can grow along with network traffic demand;
• Flexibility: the solution is highly flexible and can be tailored to each company’s specific needs;
• Ease of management: through an intuitive graphic interface, firewall management is very simple and intuitive for the end user.

How important is FWaaS in a SASE architecture?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is an information security architecture and strategy that uses a single platform to provide network and security services. This approach simplifies the management of complex IT infrastructures while providing better visibility into potential threats. To learn more, check out this article where we go into more details on the topic.

We could thus say that FWaaS is a component of an SASE solution that provides an additional layer of security for corporations. It works as a virtual appliance that can be deployed in the cloud or locally, depending on your company’s needs.

FWaaS provides granular control over network traffic and helps your security teams block malicious attacks before they reach corporate systems, providing some advantages such as a unified security policy, simpler and more flexible deployment with scalability and simplified installation, operation and maintenance.

Throughout the article, we looked at aspects of firewalls, discussed details on the application of the tool and also how some of these security solutions are being modified as tools and different applications of new elements of technology evolve. FWaaS can benefit the most diverse types of businesses, improving security seamlessly and without unnecessary delays for modern market dynamics.

At UPX our SASE solution works on a very powerful, flexible and simplified FWaaS function, where you can have full control over filtering your traffic and apply your security policy according to your internal criteria, with the support of our entire UPX team during the process.

Did you enjoy learning all about FWaaS and how it can help your business be protected in the modern and connected world? We strive to prepare and bring the best technology content to you!