What is something that firewalls can manage?

Firewalls are primarily designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Their main function is to establish a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, effectively preventing unwanted or unauthorized access to protected resources. By enforcing rules about which data packets can enter or exit the network, firewalls help to mitigate risks associated with cyber threats, making them an essential tool for maintaining network security.

While encrypting sensitive data, automatically patching software vulnerabilities, and scanning for malware are important aspects of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, these functions are typically managed by different security solutions. For example, encryption is usually handled by dedicated encryption software, patch management is the domain of system administrators or automated patch management tools, and malware scanning is generally performed by antivirus or anti-malware applications. Firewalls may complement these functions but do not directly handle them as part of their core responsibilities.