Firewall Management
Firewall Management a bigger problem than you would expect
The firewall is the single most common security countermeasure deployed to protect corporate networks. It reviews all information coming into, out of a network, and uses a set of rules to identify what is permitted. Recent research undertaken has shown that up to 83 per cent of firewalls are incorrectly configured and as a result expose the associated organisations to unacceptable risk.
Many businesses believe that a firewall is a standard piece of equipment that is an install and forget solution. In fact a firewall is a very sophisticated security countermeasure that requires a specific technical expertise that differs totally from the normal IT skills sets needed in general day-to-day ICT operations.
Once installed a firewall is only as good as the rules and the version of the operating system. Unless the firewall is monitored for performance, attempted penetrations, attack signatures and updated you have a firewall that is great for the first month and slowly degrades in efficacy over the succeeding months.
Because firewalls only require infrequent re-configuration, it is often difficult for even internal IT personnel to “log enough” hours on the system to be proficient with its features and characteristics. Add to this the general lack of familiarity with the concepts involved in firewall technology and firewall management can quickly become a major problem for many companies, large or small.
To meet such customer needs Greencorn has developed, as part of the SecureCare programme, the Firewall Assist support solution. This managed service provides our clients with the option to have their firewalls maintained and supported by our fully-qualified and accredited engineers.
The services assist organisations by:-
* Ensuring optimised firewall performance and perimeter security.
* Delivering security expertise where dedicated staff is either too expensive or not available.
* Ensuring that security best practice is implemented.
* Providing an experienced external 'pair of eyes and hands' to validate an organisation's firewall maintenance practice.
* Deliver regular specialist firewall administration – including support for VPN where ending at the firewall.
* Ensure that firewalls are configured and maintained according to current best practice.
* Provide a regular review of suspicious network traffic.
