An attacker may attempt to change firewall rules or remove logs to cover their tracks.

FORBES: Reduce Policy Complications to Enhance Security

By examining the firewall logs, which are a record of every attempt to connect, those that are dropped and those that are allowed, it is possible to compare them to the firewall policy and discover unused rules.

FORBES: Reduce Policy Complications to Enhance Security

When deploying a new internal application, network, or server, several new rules have to be added to the firewall.

FORBES: Reduce Policy Complications to Enhance Security

The growth in number of rules and their complexity has given rise to firewall policy management solutions from several vendors.

FORBES: Reduce Policy Complications to Enhance Security

Stricter fiscal rules in the euro zone are a precondition for any strengthening of the firewall, Germany insists.

ECONOMIST: Germany��s coalition

This makes it difficult to audit the firewall, especially since many of the policies are not well documented, and too many rules can impact performance.

FORBES: Reduce Policy Complications to Enhance Security