Firewall tech is known to deliver long-term results, but that doesn’t mean they don’t maintenance along the way. In many cases, this is more related to upgrading firmware or renewing licensing. The scope of firmware upgrades is broader than you might expect.
Handling firewall service effectively is heavily dependent on your network architecture. Are you handling it all in-house, or are you working with something like managed firewall services? The point is that you’ll want to know what needs to be done with maintenance so you can be proactive about it.
Firmware upgrades are one of the most common examples of next-gen firewalls (NGFWs). This article focuses on effective firewall service along with the importance of firmware upgrades, and more.
The Importance of Firewall Service Maintenance
From the actual service itself to the physical hardware, there’s a bit of fine print that comes with consistent and reliable maintenance. Where firmware upgrades work to patch certain vulnerabilities, you could also be greeted with a range of new features. It’s a necessary focal point for software and hardware firewall solutions.
Here are a few key points to remember about service maintenance for NGFWs and what might be included:
- Updates commonly improve overall network efficiency
- May come with advancements in threat detection capabilities
- More integrations with security tools
- Helps you remain compliant with data and security laws and regulations
It’s more than just being up to date with the latest OS. Firmware upgrades and general firewall maintenance are crucial for streamlined network security.
Licensing for Your Business Firewall
Aside from the importance of firmware upgrades, staying up to date with your licensing is equally vital. Licensing is how you gain access to unique security features, along with the continuous updates you need down the road.
If you were to look at firewall software or hardware devices, there are usually several licenses involved. For the most part, the licenses span from one to five years, which are meant to be suitable for a range of network security demands.
While this definitely goes beyond standard firewall computer protection, it isn’t as convoluted as it might sound. Then again, depending on the size of your operation, it can eventually start to feel pretty taxing. In this circumstance, it doesn’t hurt to consider a little backend support.
Managed Firewall Services
In today’s world, you don’t have to handle every little detail behind your network security. Even if you have a dedicated IT team, managed firewall services can help in numerous ways. While you enjoy the features of next generation firewalls, managed services can ensure they always stay up to date.
Other notable upsides to managed firewall services include the following:
- Security monitoring around the clock every hour and every day
- Can be much more cost-efficient for businesses without dedicated security teams
- Reduces overall workload for IT
- Proactive threat monitoring on top of rapid response solutions
The full list of potential managed services is pretty extensive. Most businesses will cherry-pick the managed services they specifically need to make them even more cost-effective.
Final Thoughts
The scope of effective firewall service and necessary firmware upgrades doesn’t have to seem so confusing. It doesn’t need to take a ton of time out of your business schedule, and you shouldn’t ever have to worry about vulnerabilities or downtime in your network.
Whether you decide to go it alone or let managed services handle it, both options will get you where you need to go. If you’d like to learn more about firewall maintenance, have a chat with our team to see how we can keep your network security up to par.
