CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

What is a best practice for managing firewall rules over time?

1. Regular audits

2. Frequent updates

3. Annual reviews

4. Immediate changes

The correct answer is: Regular audits

Regular audits are considered a best practice for managing firewall rules over time because they provide a systematic approach to ensure that firewall configurations remain optimal and aligned with the organization's security policies. During an audit, security teams can assess the effectiveness and necessity of existing rules, identify any redundant or overly permissive rules, and detect any misconfigurations that might lead to vulnerabilities. Maintaining an effective firewall is not just about having rules in place; it's crucial to evaluate them regularly to adapt to evolving threats, changes in the network, and business requirements. Regular audits facilitate ongoing compliance with security standards and help in ensuring that any changes made previously remain effective and relevant. Other approaches, like frequent updates, annual reviews, or immediate changes, can play a role in firewall management but do not encapsulate the comprehensive and proactive strategy that regular audits represent for long-term effectiveness and security posture maintenance.