What is the benefit of using firewalls in IACS?

Using firewalls in Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) provides a significant advantage by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on established security rules. This functionality is crucial for protecting the integrity and confidentiality of data as well as maintaining system availability. Firewalls act as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external ones, helping to prevent unauthorized access and potential cyber attacks.

By enforcing security policies, firewalls can block or allow requests based on predefined conditions, which helps in managing vulnerabilities that may be present in the system. This protection extends to various types of cyber threats, such as malware, unauthorized devices, or hacking attempts, ultimately contributing to a more secure operational environment.

Other options presented, such as providing physical security or facilitating faster data processing capabilities, do not fall within the purview of what firewalls achieve. Additionally, while software updates are important for security, this is not a function performed by firewalls—they do not automatically update software to the latest versions. Thus, the primary benefit of firewalls lies in their ability to offer robust network traffic management based on security protocols.