Zone-based firewall
Zone-based firewall
(also Zone-Policy Firewall, ZFW)
Zone-based firewall definition
A zone-based firewall is a network security tool that sets up virtual zones in your system. It carefully monitors the traffic moving between these zones, deciding what to allow and decline. This smart approach keeps your network safer from potential threats and unauthorized access.
See also: Firewall rules, Firewall, VPN firewall
Zone-based firewall use cases
- Secure Office Network. A zone-based firewall can create separate zones for different departments within a company’s office network. By doing so, the finance department’s sensitive data is isolated from the marketing department’s activities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Protecting Data Centers. They often host critical information and services. Zone-based firewalls are utilized to create zones for web servers, databases, and internal management systems.
- Securing Guest Wi-Fi. Zone-based firewalls help create a separate guest Wi-Fi zone isolated from the internal corporate network. Guests can access the internet securely, but their devices are prevented from interacting with sensitive corporate data or other devices on the internal network.
- Multi-Branch Network Protection. Companies with multiple branches or remote locations benefit from zone-based firewalls to establish secure connections between branches while restricting direct communication between them.
- Cloud Network Security. Zone-based firewalls are also used in cloud environments to create secure zones for different services and applications. By controlling traffic flow between these zones, the firewall ensures that only approved communication occurs.