Since the beginning of the digital transformation, Firewall It is the first line of defense for any organization. It separated the secure “inside” from the untrusted “outside” and prevented any unauthorized communication.
But the reality has changed completely: networks are no longer closed, systems are no longer simple, and threats are no longer traditional.
Today, companies rely on the cloud, use hundreds of applications, own mobile devices, and conduct their business online. In this complex landscape, relying solely on a firewall is like locking your front door while leaving the windows open and the walls made of glass.

In this article, we will explain in depth why a firewall alone is no longer sufficient, and what companies really need to protect their digital assets.

First: What Firewall used to offer

In the past, Firewall provided three main functions:

Traffic filtering between networks
Preventing unauthorized communications
Control of protocols and ports

And that was enough when:

The systems were only inside the company's buildings.
There were few devices.
There was no cloud.
The attacks were not as cleverly organized as they are today.

But the security situation has changed dramatically.

Second: Why is a firewall no longer sufficient?

1) Attacks do not only come from “outside”

80% of today's attacks come from:

Phishing email
Links opened from within the organization
Previously compromised devices
Gaps in internal applications
A user with privileges who fell victim to social engineering

Firewall does not see this.
Because the danger enters “through the front door” and not through the outer wall.

2) Cloud applications have broken down the concept of closed networks.

Ten years ago, the company's systems were located within its data center.
Today:

CRM on the cloud
HR on the Cloud
Cloud Mail
ERP Distributor
Hybrid work environment

Firewall cannot protect systems Don't go through it at all..

3) Modern attacks go beyond the network layer

Firewall relies on:

Outlets
Protocols
IP addresses
Simple rules

But today's attacks:

Uses artificial intelligence
Transferred between users
Hidden inside encrypted traffic
Implemented through legitimate applications
Moving laterally within the network (Lateral Movement)

Firewall does not have the ability to analyze:

User behavior
Intentions to contact
Data movement within servers
Suspicious activities that appear normal

4) Traffic is now almost entirely encrypted.

More than 90% of today's traffic is HTTPS.
Firewall only sees:

Destination address
The outlet
Package size

But he does not see:

Content
Malware within encryption
Malicious activities within web applications

This makes attackers use encryption to hide.

5) User identity has become more important than location

In the past:

Inside the network = secure
Offline = Danger

Today:

The employee works from home.
The contractor enters from outside the company.
The client uses API applications.
Mobile devices
VPN is no longer sufficient

Modern security relies on “who the user is” rather than “where they come from.”.

Firewall does not manage identity.

6) Threats have become behavioral, not just technical

Example:

An employee transfers a 20GB file to Google Drive.
User attempts to log in 60 times
Server connects to IP address that has never been used before
A device that starts scanning the network internally

Firewalls do not monitor behavior.
It only “allows or prohibits” based on fixed rules.

Third: How do attackers penetrate companies despite the presence of firewalls?

1) Through phishing messages

The employee clicks the link = everything is over.
Firewall cannot prevent it.

2) Through vulnerabilities in applications

The Log4J attack as an example:
It enters directly through the application and not through a restricted port.

3) Through lateral movement within the network

After compromising one device, attackers move on to:

The server
The AD
Databases

The firewall does not prevent communication between internal systems.

4) Via encrypted traffic

The attacker inserts malicious files into HTTPS, passing undetected.

Fourth: What do companies need besides a firewall?

A firewall isn't bad, but it's just a small part of what should be a complete system.
True protection requires:

1) SOC – Security Operations Center

To monitor and analyze everything that happens within the network:

Device logs
Behavioral activities
Attempts to breach
Data movement
Unnatural communications

SOC detects attacks before they cause damage.

2) SIEM – Security Information and Event Management

Collects all logs from:

Servers
Applications
Mail
The Cloud
Databases
Security agencies

and analyzes it to detect threats.

The firewall alone only recognizes 5% from the image.

3) Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS)

Detects malicious activities in real time, even if they are:

Inside the network
Encrypted
Hidden

4) Email protection

Because 90% attacks start from email.

5) Vulnerability Management

To close vulnerabilities before they are exploited.

6) Zero Trust

A modern approach based on:

No one is trustworthy.
Everything must be verified.
Minimal access
Continuous monitoring

7) GRC – Compliance and Governance

To implement national controls:

NCA
SAMA
PDPL

Firewall does not achieve compliance.

Fifth: What does this mean for companies in Saudi Arabia?

The technical environment in the Kingdom is changing rapidly:

National Digital Transformation
Enhancing cybersecurity
Strict policies from the NCA
Adoption of cloud services
Companies expand into hybrid businesses
Advanced attacks targeting the region

In this scenario, relying solely on a firewall is like building a glass tower and settling for a single secure door.

Protection must be:

stratification
Continuous
Smart
Data-driven
Managed by specialized teams
Integrated with monitoring and response

This is what the model offers. Managed SOC Such as services Tek Mang.

Sixth: Conclusion – Firewalls are important... but they are no longer sufficient.

Firewall is an important part, but it does not provide:

Comprehensive vision
Behavioral analysis
Protecting internal movement
Encrypted traffic inspection
Advanced Threat Detection
Monitoring breaches
Vulnerability Management
National compliance
Immediate response

Perimeter security is almost dead.
Protection now depends on The mind, not the wall — Analysis, monitoring, and security intelligence.

Today, a secure institution is not one that has a strong firewall.
Rather, it has an integrated security system that operates around the clock.

Why is a firewall alone no longer enough to protect your business in an era of advanced attacks?