Why is monitoring inbound and outbound traffic crucial for firewalls?

Monitoring inbound and outbound traffic is crucial for firewalls primarily because it aids in identifying malicious activity in both directions. Firewalls serve as a critical line of defense in network security by examining all traffic that enters and leaves the network. By looking at both inbound and outbound traffic, firewalls can detect suspicious patterns or anomalies that may indicate attempted breaches or data exfiltration.

For instance, if a device within the network starts sending out large amounts of data to an unrecognized external IP address, this could signify a data breach or a botnet taking control of that device. Similarly, monitoring inbound traffic allows the firewall to block potential threats from entering the network, such as malware or unauthorized access attempts. This dual direction monitoring enhances the overall security posture of the organization by ensuring a comprehensive approach to threat detection and prevention.

In contrast, reducing network speed, enhancing user access, or preventing the use of all external applications does not align with the primary role of firewalls. While network performance and access management are important, they are secondary to the fundamental purpose of a firewall, which is to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the network by actively monitoring and responding to traffic that could compromise security.