Change is part of every network environment, but when it comes to firewalls, even small adjustments can have major consequences. Around 33% of organizations say they experience more than 10 service disruptions per year due to firewall configuration changes.1 These disruptions are not only inconvenient, but they can also create security issues like visibility gaps, downtime, and noncompliance if not handled properly.
A defined firewall change management process gives IT and security teams a structured way to make changes without compromising performance or protection. Read on to learn why firewall management matters, how to build a strong change management process, and what best practices can help you reduce risk.
Firewall change management is the structured approach used to plan, implement, document, and review any changes to firewall configurations or policies. This includes updates to access rules, security settings, or other adjustments that impact how traffic moves through your network.
However, each update to firewall rules or access policies carries risk. A 2025 report found that 71% of IT professionals recognize the importance of firewalls for security, but feel that their current management processes aren’t secure.2 Even a single misplaced “allow” rule can expose sensitive data or create vulnerabilities.
With the right firewall change management process, your teams can minimize these risks and keep your firewall aligned with your organization’s security standards.
Modern enterprises often manage dozens or even hundreds of firewalls across distributed networks and cloud environments. Without a formalized firewall change management process, IT and security teams face challenges like:
Effective change management helps organizations avoid these issues. It provides transparency, strengthens security, and improves communication between teams. Aseva helps organizations streamline these processes with centralized visibility and hands-on expertise, so every change is secure and compliant.
A successful firewall management process includes several steps, each of which adds an extra layer of control to help your team avoid errors and maintain visibility.
Start every change with a documented request that includes the reason for the change, the systems involved, and a quick assessment of the risks. The request should be reviewed by IT and security team members to make sure it fits your organization’s standards and goals.
Before approval, analyze how the change aligns with compliance frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. A risk assessment can help identify potential conflicts with existing rules or policies.
Test approved changes in a non-production environment before rolling them out across your network. This lets you catch unexpected behavior or performance issues before they affect users. A modern firewall management tool can help you simulate the change and spot problems early.
After successful testing, implement the change in your live environment. Only authorized staff should handle this step, using secure access methods and following your organization's documented change procedures.
Throughout the process, document who requested the change, who approved it, what was updated, and when it was applied. This helps during audits and gives your team a clear history of updates.
Finally, make sure to monitor the firewall after the change. Look for unexpected traffic patterns, blocked services, or new alerts. If issues arise, you’ll be able to respond quickly and make further adjustments if needed.
Manual change tracking is slow and error-prone – especially at scale. A firewall change management tool can simplify oversight by:
At Aseva, we work with industry-leading firewall management technologies, including Fortinet solutions, to help IT teams modernize their firewall management processes and reduce manual overhead.
Building an efficient and secure change management policy requires consistent discipline. Here are some firewall best practices to help you get it right:
Start each firewall update with a consistent request format that includes details like business impact, systems affected, and risk level. A standardized workflow keeps everyone on the same page and prevents confusion during approval.
It’s easier to enforce rules when all your policies are stored in one place. A central repository lets your team reference existing configurations and apply updates consistently.
Not everyone needs access to make changes. Limit who can request, review, and implement firewall updates. You can also add multiple levels of approval for high-risk changes. This prevents unauthorized modifications and creates more accountability across the team.
Manual change management introduces human bottlenecks, which could be why 50% of organizations use automation to manage firewall policies.1 Automated tools can help you scan for outdated or redundant rules, ensuring regular cleanup without having to sort through everything manually.
After deploying a change, keep an eye on network traffic and alerts. If a new rule causes problems, monitoring software can help you take action before users are affected.
Keep a record of each change, including what was updated, who approved it, and why it was made. Generate reports regularly and review them with your team to identify any recurring issues that may need attention.
Firewall changes shouldn’t happen in isolation. Align every update with your overall firewall security management and network architecture to prevent configuration conflicts.
Firewall changes help your business adapt and grow, but they also bring new risks. Without the right strategy, it’s easy for those changes to create gaps in your security. A structured change management process gives your team the confidence to make updates safely and efficiently.
Aseva helps businesses put that structure in place. Our security experts ensure your network firewall solutions are configured, managed, and monitored to protect every corner of your network – without adding complexity to your operations. We also work with industry-leading vendors like Fortinet to bring advanced features and real-time visibility into your network environment.
Ready to modernize your firewall management process? Get started with Aseva.
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