What type of device is commonly used to secure network boundaries?

A firewall is a device specifically designed to create a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. It monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Firewalls can provide various types of protection, including filtering traffic, blocking unauthorized access, and allowing legitimate traffic to pass through.

In the context of securing network boundaries, firewalls enforce security policies and help prevent unauthorized access, making them critical components in safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining overall network security. Other devices, while essential for network functionality, do not serve the same primary purpose of boundary security. For example, routers help direct data traffic, switches connect devices within a network, and access points provide wireless connectivity, but these devices do not inherently offer the protective measures that firewalls provide.