Which of the following is a potential consequence of improperly configured firewall policies?

When firewall policies are improperly configured, one significant consequence is the increased vulnerability to attacks. Firewalls act as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, controlling the flow of traffic based on defined policies. If these policies are not set up accurately, it may allow unauthorized access to sensitive systems or data, leaving them exposed to malicious activity.

This exposure can lead to various forms of cyberattacks, such as unauthorized data breaches, denial of service attacks, or exploitation of system vulnerabilities. Properly configured policies are essential to ensure that only legitimate traffic is allowed, thereby protecting the organization from potential threats and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of its data.

In contrast to this consequence, options like enhanced user experience, improved system efficiency, and reduced maintenance costs do not directly relate to the risks arising from firewall misconfigurations. Rather, they suggest potential benefits that proper configuration can bring, but do not address the risks associated with improper policy settings.