“Firewalls are usually seen as a requirement if you are going to
attach your network to other networks, especially the Internet.
Unfortunately, some network administrators and managers do not
understand the strengths a firewall can offer, resulting in poor
product choice, deployment, configuration and management. Like any
security technology, firewalls are only effective if the
implementation is done properly and there is proper maintenance and
response to security events.”
“Additionally, with the proper deployment of firewalls other
security strategies are often much easier to integrate, such as
VPNs and IDS systems. So what makes firewalls good, and what can
you do to ensure they are used properly?”
“One of firewalls’ weaknesses is also one of their strengths.
Firewalls are typically deployed as a perimeter defense, usually
intersecting network links that connect your network to others. If
the firewall is properly deployed on all paths into your network,
you can control what enters and leaves your network.”