Thursday, November 02, 2006

Security Tip #3 - Firewalls, What they Can't Do For You

Firewalls can't do everything. Firewalls are a good first step to protect you against hackers, but they do have their limitations. Like a deadbolt lock on a front door, a firewall can't tell you if you have other vulnerabilities that might allow a hacker access to your network.

Why you need formalized security protection:


  • Firewalls can’t protect against attacks that don’t go through the firewall – wireless networks, dial-up modems, and internal employees often by-pass firewall protection
  • Firewalls reflect the overall level of security of your network – a failure may expose your sensitive data

  • Firewalls stop incoming threats but you still require formalized management, destruction, and archival procedures for your electronic documents

  • Firewalls are not a replacement for a strong Security Policies and Procedures Manual

Your reputation is compromised when a firewall doesn’t encrypt confidential documents and E-mail. Your costs increase when a firewall doesn’t protect you against computer viruses. Formalized procedures and tools are needed to protect your confidential documents and electronic communications. Organizations need security vulnerability assessments to manage their risks.

Your security structure is only as strong as its weakest link. Security professionals have the experience needed to help protect your reputation. Security assessments help you identify, manage, and reduce your risks.

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