Did You Know** Phishing emails, ransomware attacks, and business email compromise are among the most common methods used to target companies.Just like your laptop or smartphone, firewalls need to be updated on a regular basis to ensure that your business is fully protected.
An outdated firewall can leave your business exposed to modern cyber threats. Here are five red flags to look out for.
1. Slower Network Speeds
If your internet feels sluggish, your old firewall might be struggling to keep up with today’s traffic demands.In today’s day and age, businesses are handling more traffic than ever which are inclusive of cloud apps, video conferencing, file sharing, and IoT devices which all push huge volumes of data across various networks.
2. Increased Cyber Incidents
Are you noticing more spam, phishing attempts, or malware alerts? It’s a sign your firewall isn’t blocking enough. Here is a familiar example: imagine one of your staff receives an email that looks like it’s from your bank, asking them to “verify” account details. The logo looks real, the wording feels extremely urgent, and before they know it, they’ve clicked a malicious link. Without a proper firewall filtering inbound traffic, that email slips through your network, potentially exposing your entire business to fraud or ransomware.
3. No Remote Worker Protection
In 2025, remote work is the norm. If your firewall doesn’t protect employees working outside the office, it’s outdated.For example, an employee logging in from a coffee shop’s WiFi could expose your business data to hackers on the same network.
4. Lack of Regular Updates
Modern threats evolve daily. If your firewall provider isn’t pushing frequent updates, your defences are already behind.
For example: In June 2024, the South African National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) was hit by a ransomware attack that compromised its systems and infrastructure. The attack was claimed by the BlackSuit ransomware group, and the NHLS has stated it will not communicate with its assailants and won’t pay a ransom**
Another example, dating back to earlier this year is that South African Airways experienced a cyberattack that temporarily disrupted its website, mobile app, and internal systems. The airline swiftly restored services by activating its disaster recovery protocols. **
5. No Visibility or Reporting
Business leaders need insights into what’s happening on their networks. If your firewall doesn’t provide reporting, you’re operating blind and here’s another example why, imagine a small marketing firm notices unusual network slowdowns. Without firewall reports showing blocked threats or attempted intrusions, the IT team can’t identify the source causing downtime that could have been prevented with proper monitoring and reporting.
How can our team at Summit Networks solve this?
Our firewall solutions are scalable, secure, and constantly updated to match new threats. We also provide regular monitoring and reporting, so you always know your business is safe, wherever you are.
If you spotted one or more of these signs, it’s time to upgrade. Don’t wait for a cyber-attack to force your hand.
Contact Summit Networks today for a firewall health check and let us future proof your business.
References **
