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What is a computer firewall?

A computer firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on specified security rules. Firewalls are important not just for keeping out viruses and hackers but firewall are also important to help make sure your employees are performing.

There have been many articles written on about this topic. I recently searched Google with the following query “how much time is wasted at work surfing the web”, one of the many articles that came up was from Forbes magazine that sited a survey done on Salary.com. Here are a few statistics, please note that the articles author added the following (My experience as a CEO tells me these figures are probably underestimated.)

  • 64 percent of employees visit non-work related websites every day at work. Of that group,
    •  39 percent spend one hour or less per week
    • 29 percent spend 2 hours per week
    • 21 percent waste five hours per week
    • 3 percent said they waste 10 hours or more doing unrelated activities.
  • The survey also revealed which websites keep employees most off-task.
    •  Facebook occupied 41%
    • LinkedIn occupied 37 %
    •  25% percent are shopping at Amazon.

These statistics along with the threats of viruses and hackers certainly make a strong argument for any organization regardless of size to invest in a firewall.

There are two type of firewalls a software program (code that is written to act as the wall protecting your computer or network) and a hardware firewall (a piece of computer equipment) that helps filter out hackers, viruses, and worms that try to breach your computer or network over the Internet.

Depending on the size of your organizations network, be it a home office, small-office, mid-size office, not for profit, or educations institution it is important to protect every computer. Each network has different challenges that need to be addressed. Not all solutions are the same and many have a multi-tiered approaches that include a hardware firewall to protect your network, as well as software installed on each computer helping prevent the spread of a virus or malware onto your network.

Larger companies may have a network administrators whose responsibilities include network security, we can work with your team or in the case of smaller companies be your network security team. One goal is to create cost effective solutions that meet your companies’ needs. Our IT engineers understand that a firewall is not a one size fits all solution. We have years of training and practical on the job experience securing the data of organizations with as few as 3 computers to as many as 250 computers.

Every organization be it a business, school, or not for profit needs policies established to safeguard your data. We work with your team through a detailed requirement gathering questionnaire that helps you create policies that protect your organizations computer network and data.

IT Solutions Team offers fixed priced packages that explain the scope of the project so you understand what you are getting upfront. In addition to fixed priced packages we also offer hourly consulting services.  Please look at our packages or contact our team to discuss how we can become a part of your team.