A business firewall for healthcare organizations protects your IT infrastructure by monitoring all incoming and outgoing traffic through your network. While it serves as just one layer of your IT security, it is often your first line of defense against potential threats.
There are two general options when it comes to firewalls: standard consumer-grade (or home-use) firewalls and business-grade firewalls. Below, we explore both firewall options to help you find the right tool for the right job.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a security tool that keeps track of incoming and outgoing traffic in your network. It can be a piece of hardware or software (or a combination of both). Think of it as a trained bouncer or security guard who checks anything that enters your network, keeping guard for malware, bot attacks, and any unauthorized access to your system.
Whether it’s a small office firewall or a home firewall, a firewall serves as a barrier between a “trusted network” (your own system) and an “untrusted network,” like the internet at large.
The difference between consumer and business-grade firewalls
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Consumer-Grade Firewall |
Business-Grade Firewall |
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Security |
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Intrusion Detection and Prevention Capabilities |
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Application Management |
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Customization |
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Upgradability |
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Software Updates |
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Warranty and Support |
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Compliance |
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Benefits of a Consumer-Grade Firewall
- More affordable than business-grade firewalls
- Easy to use/install (plug and play)
- A good option for individual home use
Benefits of a Small Business Firewall
- Provides wider protection
- More layers of security
- Customizable to your organization’s needs
- Updates are available to provide enhanced security for your IT infrastructure
- Ideal for businesses
Let Medicus IT Help You Find the Best Firewall for Your Healthcare Practice
At Medicus IT, we know healthcare IT security and the high-stakes protection, safety, and compliance issues that come with it. We believe in preventive care for IT, and that starts with a strategic focus on the systems and solutions designed to keep your practice out of trouble and your patients out of harm’s way.
Day-to-day cybersecurity is more than an IT concern. It’s a business concern and an issue of patient trust. It’s also a never-ending process. Our managed security services serve as a wellness assessment for your healthcare organization’s technology, providing vigilant testing, continual learning, and strategically planned defenses designed to identify and treat potential threats.
In addition to firewall and network protection, we provide other healthcare-specific security essentials, such as endpoint protection, predictive security enforcement, penetration testing, and automated breach detection, just to name a few.
Think about the potential ramifications of cyberattacks and data breaches. Take action and protect your organization now. If you’re unsure whether or not you have the network protection you need or would like to know the best firewalls for small businesses or hospitals, contact Medicus IT today.
