Firewall Updates, Patch Management, and IT Security

A Mantra for IT Security: Keep Your Firewall Updated

A firewall is only as good as its last update is a mantra I repeat to every client. And yet I continue to see companies — some of which handle millions in transactions — running firewalls that haven’t been patched in years. I’ve been in networking since the early ‘90s, when we were dealing with mux systems to get voice and data on PSTN. I experienced the Slammer worm firsthand (if you don’t know what that was, go look it up — it was devastating). And I still see the same mistakes made in regards to firewall maintenance, even now that I am five years running my cybersecurity firm. Firewalls aren’t set-and-forget security devices. If you don’t update them, you’re asking for an incident.”

Why Firewall Updates Are Critical

Let’s discuss why — and what you should be doing instead.

How Firewalls Become Outdated

Firewalls degrade silently. There’s no flashing warning light that this gizmo is now a brick. But believe me when I say attackers know your firewall is 90 days out of date before you do. Here’s how it happens:

• Built-in vulnerabilities: Just about every couple of weeks new security holes are found by vendors that attackers really drool all over. When you’re not patching, you are an easy target.
• Evolving attack techniques — Threat actors pivot rapidly. Even firewalls from two years ago may not recognize the attacks today.
• End-of-life devices: When your firewall vendor drops support for a device, you can bet hackers know it. They search companies that are using EOL gear.
• Misconfiguration over time: Firewalls require periodic tuning. Business requirements change, software updates—and all of a sudden, you’re not blocking what you think you are on your perfectly configured firewall.

But a firewall needs to be updated — and using a firewall that has not been updated is like a recipe stuck in the ‘90s — some of the ingredients don’t even exist anymore, and the method doesn’t work the same way it once did.

How Unpatched Firewalls Can Cause You Risks

You don’t have to have a huge data breach to wish you’d done firewall updates. And it takes one patch missed to bring your entire business offline. Here’s what I can say from my own experience:

• Bank A: Two years without an update of their firewall firmware. A known vulnerability was discovered by the ransomware gang. Network encrypted in totality within hours.
• Bank B: Permitted a legacy firewall to operate beyond its support cycle — then, got audited for compliance. As a result they had to quickly buy and implement a new system or face significant fines.
• Bank C: Rule sets of firewalls were a mess from policy changes over the years not reviewed. When they finally bumped up, half their old rules hadn’t been doing anything useful (or worse — leaving gaping holes in security).

The price tag of a breach is astronomical. Lost business. Regulatory fines. Reputation damage.

And if you say, well, we haven’t been hacked yet, — right, neither did the last company before they were whacked.

Scheduled Maintenance: Best Practices

Firewall upkeep is not a choice. It should be incorporated into your IT security culture. And if it’s not—start now.

Here’s what I advise my clients:

1. Patch Regularly—Don’t Delay.
   • Speaking of schedule, at least quarterly updates. Monthly, if you really care about security.
   • Enrol for security bulletins — vendors always release critical fixes.
2. Automate When Possible.
   • Automated firewall patch management saves time and avoids human error. But if your team wants to forget or deprioritize updates (hey, it happens), automation makes sure that security doesn’t fall through the cracks.
3. Periodic Review of Firewall Rules
   • Old rules build up. Review half-yearly to remove redundant or insecure configurations.
   • Verify zero-trust principles —who has access, which ports are open, where traffic is allowed.
4. Monitor Logs—And Act on Them.
   • Firewalls log for a reason. Actually review them. Identify abnormal changes in traffic, recurring attack attempts, or unexpected access patterns.
5. Plan for Hardware Upgrades.
   • If your firewall is reaching end of life, budgeting for an upgrade today will keep you from making hasty and poor decision tomorrow.

Plans for Maintenance of the Firewall of PJ Networks

I get it. IT teams are stretched thin. Security teams even more so. This is the reason we integrated automated patch management and proactive firewall maintenance services into our security products.

• Virtual patching & automatic updates. Never miss a vulnerability again.
• Audits of firewall configuration. We fix a misconfiguration, if there is one.
• 24/7 threat monitoring. Because the attackers never take a day off.
• Upgrades to zero-trust architecture. (Just upgraded three giant banks literally just now. Ask me about it.)

We don’t just sell firewalls. We keep them safe—for the long term.

Final Thoughts: Time to Stop Postponing Updates

I’ve seen more breaches, downtimes, and we should’ve updated sooner moments than I’d wish on my worst enemy. Your firewall needs upkeep — just like your car needs oil changes, or your kitchen clean knives before cooking. Neglect it, and you will pay the price.

So, patch your firewalls. Review your rules. Upgrade when it’s time.

Or leave that to us to handle for you. Keep safe, keep current — because the attackers most definitely are.