Background of the Study
Firewalls are critical components of network security, acting as barriers between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks. Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, relies heavily on firewalls to protect its network from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and other security threats. However, the effectiveness of firewalls is not solely determined by their existence but by their proper configuration and management (Nabi et al., 2023).
Improperly configured firewalls can leave a network vulnerable to attacks, such as denial-of-service (DoS), malware infiltration, and unauthorized data access (Gidado et al., 2024). Firewalls must be configured to block malicious traffic while allowing legitimate communication. The university’s network security strategy must ensure that the firewall settings align with the institution's needs, policies, and the evolving threat landscape.
This study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of the firewall configurations at Federal University, Gashua, and assess how well the firewalls are protecting the university's network from potential security threats.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the use of firewalls, Federal University, Gashua, faces concerns regarding the effectiveness of its firewall configurations. The current firewall setup may not be properly tuned to the university's specific network requirements, potentially leaving the network susceptible to attacks. The lack of comprehensive evaluation of firewall effectiveness and configuration may hinder the university's ability to adequately protect sensitive data and maintain secure communications.
Objectives of the Study
To evaluate the current firewall configurations at Federal University, Gashua, and identify potential vulnerabilities.
To assess the effectiveness of the firewall configurations in protecting the university’s network from external threats.
To recommend improvements in firewall configurations to enhance the network security of Federal University, Gashua.
Research Questions
How effective are the current firewall configurations in protecting the university’s network from cyber threats?
What vulnerabilities exist in the firewall configurations at Federal University, Gashua?
What recommendations can be made to improve the firewall configurations and overall network security at Federal University, Gashua?
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on the evaluation of the firewall configurations at Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, and assess their effectiveness in securing the university's network. The study may be limited by the access to detailed configuration settings, the university's firewall management protocols, and the availability of necessary network security tools.
Definitions of Terms
Firewall: A network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack: A cyberattack that aims to make a network service unavailable by overwhelming it with excessive traffic.
Network Security: The protection of a computer network from malicious attacks, unauthorized access, and data breaches.
Vulnerability: A weakness in a system or network that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access.
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