What is the main goal of a firewall in information security?

The primary goal of a firewall in information security is to filter network traffic. Firewalls serve as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks, monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. By filtering traffic, firewalls help to prevent unauthorized access to or from the network, effectively protecting sensitive data and systems from potential threats.

This capability is crucial for maintaining the security posture of an organization, as firewalls can block harmful traffic while allowing legitimate communication to pass through. They can also be configured to log traffic for analysis, thus providing valuable insights into network behavior and potential vulnerabilities.

While storing data securely, detecting malware, and performing encryption are all important aspects of information security, these functions are typically handled by different types of security technologies and tools. Firewalls specifically focus on the regulation and filtering of network traffic to ensure that only safe and accepted traffic is allowed to enter or exit the network perimeter.