An outdated firewall can leave your business exposed to modern cyber threats.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 If your firewall doesn’t protect employees working outside the office, it’s outdated.For example, an employee logging in from a coffee shop’s WiFi could expose your business data to hackers on the same network.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 ** 

https://industrialcyber.co/transport/cyber-attack-disrupts-operational-systems-at-south-african-airways

The post 5 Signs Your Business Firewall Needs an Upgrade first appeared on Summit Networks.

What is a Firewall?

Think of a firewall as the security guard at the entrance to your office. It monitors all traffic coming in and out of your network and blocks anything suspicious. Whether it’s a hacker trying to gain access, or malware hidden in an email, a firewall acts as the first line of defence. It is what basically defends your staff and company against all those scam emails that are created to get all sorts of information that can be used against your organisation. 

Why Firewalls Matter in 2025

• Rise in Cybercrime: South Africa has the third-highest number of cybercrime victims globally. To give you an idea of how bad it is, In 2022 South Africa rose from 6th to 5th position globally. Each year, this number keeps decreasing, which in this case, is NOT good. **
• Remote & Hybrid Work: Employees connecting from home need extra layers of protection, especially since the pandemic started. With a lot more organisations facilitating hybrid work, cyber criminals have found a gap.
• Regulatory Compliance: The POPIA act actually demands that businesses protect sensitive consumer data.

How Summit Networks Helps

Summit Networks designs firewall solutions tailored to your business size and industry. From basic firewalls for small teams to advanced, enterprise-level security setups, we ensure your data, systems, and clients remain safe and sound, so that you can worry about the day-to-day operations, more than you have to worry about what is going on in the background.

This ensures that you focus on what truly matters. Growing your business into a great one, just, with us by your side. 

If you ever thought that Cybersecurity is a luxury, it is not. It’s an absolute necessity. 

A robust firewall is the first step to ensuring your business is resilient, compliant, and trustworthy.

Ready to protect your network? Speak to Summit Networks about custom firewall solutions today.

The post Don’t Risk It: SA Businesses Need Firewalls in 2025 first appeared on Summit Networks.