Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam 2025 - Free Cybersecurity Practice Questions and Study Guide

A firewall is primarily designed to act as a barrier between an internal network and external networks, controlling the flow of data packets based on predetermined security rules. This means it performs the critical function of filtering incoming and outgoing traffic. By establishing rules, a firewall can allow or block specific types of traffic based on criteria such as source or destination IP addresses, protocols, and port numbers. This capability helps to protect the network from unauthorized access, malicious activities, and potential threats, making traffic filtering a fundamental aspect of a firewall’s role in maintaining cybersecurity.

The other functions listed, while important for overall network operations and security, do not align with the primary purpose of a firewall. Storing network backups, monitoring CPU performance, and encrypting network connections are tasks typically associated with other types of systems or software, such as backup solutions, performance monitoring tools, and encryption software, respectively. Thus, these options do not encapsulate the main function of a firewall in the context of network security.