What defines a hardware firewall?

A hardware firewall is defined as a dedicated firewall device placed on the network perimeter. This type of firewall is specifically designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. By residing at the boundary of a network, it acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet.

Hardware firewalls are typically built with specialized hardware that is optimized for security functions, making them capable of handling a higher volume of traffic than software firewalls, which usually run on general-purpose hardware. They can provide a more robust security solution for organizations by offering features like network address translation (NAT), intrusion detection/prevention capabilities, and more.

By contrast, software applications designed for individual users and tools primarily for small business environments do not encompass the dedicated and standalone nature of hardware firewalls. Additionally, while a device that sits between applications and networks may sound similar, it lacks the specificity and dedicated role that hardware firewalls play at the network perimeter.