DMZ

A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a network segment isolated from internal networks, hosting services like web servers. It protects sensitive systems by limiting direct access and enhancing security against external threats.

Detailed Explanation:
A DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone, is a network architecture concept used in IT security to protect sensitive internal networks while enabling secure external access to specific services. The DMZ acts as a buffer zone between an organization’s private network and the public internet, isolating systems like web servers, email servers, or FTP servers from direct access to internal resources.

In a typical DMZ setup, firewalls are placed on both sides of the DMZ:

• External Firewall: Protects the DMZ from internet-based threats by restricting incoming and outgoing traffic based on defined rules.
• Internal Firewall: Safeguards the private network by ensuring that even if a DMZ server is compromised, attackers cannot reach critical internal systems.

The primary purpose of a DMZ is to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data. Services exposed in the DMZ are usually limited to those that need to be accessible to the public, such as a company’s website or a mail relay server. Internal systems remain protected behind the internal firewall.

DMZs are essential for businesses that need to interact with external users or systems while maintaining a secure internal network. They are widely used in corporate environments, data centers, and web hosting platforms.