What is the purpose of a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)?

A Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) serves the critical function of providing a buffer between private and public networks. In network design, a DMZ acts as a dedicated area that allows external users access to certain services while maintaining a barrier to the internal network.

This setup helps to protect sensitive internal resources by placing them behind additional security measures, such as firewalls. Public-facing services like web servers, email servers, or FTP servers can be hosted in the DMZ so that they are accessible from the internet, while the internal network remains safeguarded from direct exposure to external threats.

Establishing a DMZ is a strategic approach to enhance network security, as it limits access to internal systems while allowing for necessary communication with external users. By effectively separating these environments, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

While isolating the public network is an important security concept, this action alone doesn't define a DMZ's purpose, as the goal is not to isolate the public completely but rather to manage interactions between the public and private networks. Similarly, managing internal network communications does not accurately reflect the DMZ's core function, which is more focused on external interactions. Lastly, while performance may improve for services placed in a