How can a firewall protect data?

A firewall protects data primarily by blocking unauthorized access and filtering traffic. This defensive mechanism creates a barrier between the internal network and external sources, ensuring that only legitimate traffic passes through. By examining incoming and outgoing data packets, the firewall can identify and halt potentially harmful traffic, such as hackers attempting to breach a network or malicious software trying to exfiltrate sensitive data.

This filtering process helps maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data, as unapproved users and potentially dangerous data packets are prevented from entering or leaving the network. Consequently, the firewall acts as a first line of defense against cyber threats, allowing only trusted and secure communications.

The other options, while relevant to data protection, do not focus on the primary functionality of a firewall. Storing data offsite may enhance data recovery and backup strategies, sending alerts can improve awareness of potential threats, and monitoring network speeds pertains to performance rather than security. However, none of these directly address the core protective measures that a firewall implements.