One of the most confusing things for our clients that we provide cyber security in Miami to is the difference between a hardware and software firewall. Unfortunately, a firewall isn’t just a firewall.
A hardware firewall and a software firewall are different, so it’s crucial to know the difference between the two and how they can help you secure your devices.
What is a Hardware Firewall?
Hardware firewalls are run on actual hardware or their own physical devices. The hardware is much harder to “hack,” and it will work to analyze and block certain types of traffic on a network.
What is a Software Firewall
Software firewalls also exist. When your firewall runs off of software, it’s going to either be an operating system firewall or a third-party firewall. Software is used to run the firewall, which will analyze traffic coming into or on a network.
Benefits of a Hardware Firewall
Why would you want to use a hardware firewall? There are many reasons. A few of the key benefits of allowing hardware to protect your network are:
- Constant protection for the entire network rather than a singular device
- Performance using a hardware firewall doesn’t impact devices because the hardware handles all of the processing
- Managing one firewall is faster and easier than managing systems on a one-by-one basis
- Centralized monitoring from one location to analyze all of the data in the network
If a person is using a firewall to protect their own personal devices, there’s a good chance that the device won’t be protected by a hardware firewall. The average hardware firewall is much more difficult to install and configure when compared to a software firewall.
There are also concerns about costs.
Business owners may have the funds to install a hardware firewall and have it configured properly in their private residences, but it’s not going to be practical for workers to do the same.
Benefits of a Software Firewall
Software firewalls are an easier option when there are very few devices that need to have a firewall. Many operating systems have their own firewalls, but you’ll also find third-party options that may provide additional protection.
The benefits of these firewalls are:
- Control system-specific events and behavior on a one-by-one basis
- Easy to configure even for non-tech people
- A good option for home or personal use devices
However, a software firewall runs on the system itself, so it will take up resources. You may notice a slowdown in performance, and many firewalls are difficult to remove. In most cases, professionals believe that software firewalls are certainly better than no protection, but they do not provide the time-critical response that is necessary for larger enterprises or business settings.
Cyber attacks are a constant threat to small and large businesses. If you don’t make use of firewalls of any kind, you’re leaving your network and device open to potentially malicious traffic.
When we install the best cybersecurity in Miami, we ensure that you have the best firewall systems in place. Often, a software and hardware firewall mix will provide optimal protection against threats.