Introduction

With the rise of cloud computing and the increasing need for secure cloud solutions, it's imperative to understand the differences between cloud firewall and traditional firewall. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast the two types of firewalls to help you make the best decision for your organization's cloud security needs.

Cloud Firewall

A cloud firewall is a virtual firewall that is hosted in the cloud by a service provider. It is designed to protect cloud infrastructure resources like Virtual Private Servers (VPS), cloud servers, and cloud networks.

Pros of Cloud Firewall

• High availability - Cloud firewalls are highly available and can be easily scaled based on the demand.
• Cost-effective - Cloud firewalls can be much cheaper than traditional firewalls since there is no need to purchase physical hardware.
• Easy setup - Cloud firewalls can be easily set up, configured and managed from a central location.

Cons of Cloud Firewall

• Latency - Cloud firewalls are internet-dependent, and as such, there is a higher possibility of latency between the cloud infrastructure and the cloud firewall.
• Security - Since cloud firewalls are public-facing, there is always the possibility of attacks from malicious users or hackers.

Traditional Firewall

Traditional firewalls are physical devices that are deployed on-premises to monitor and filter traffic on a network. They can be used to protect individual machines or a group of networks.

Pros of Traditional Firewall

• Performance - Traditional firewalls can provide faster throughput compared to most cloud firewalls since they are not internet-dependent.
• Security - Since traditional firewalls are not public-facing, there is a lower possibility of attacks from malicious users or hackers.

Cons of Traditional Firewall

• Hardware investment - Traditional firewalls require hardware investment, which can be expensive.
• Maintenance - Traditional firewalls require constant maintenance, including upgrades and updates, which can be time-consuming.

Cloud Firewall vs Traditional Firewall: Which One to Use

Now that you have weighed the pros and cons of both cloud firewall and traditional firewall, you should have a fair idea of which one to choose. However, it's essential to note that each organization has its unique security requirements, and it's essential to evaluate these requirements carefully before making a final decision.

References

1. "What is a Cloud Firewall? A Comprehensive Guide," Astin Technology (accessed Aug. 14, 2021), astintech.com/public_cloud_security_and_compliance/cloud_firewall
2. "What is a Firewall? How Do Firewalls Work?," Cloudflare (accessed Aug. 14, 2021), cloudflare.com/learning/security/glossary/firewall