A New Firewall Threat That Could Put Small Businesses at Risk

Your firewall is supposed to be your first line of defense—the device that blocks hackers from breaking into your network. But right now, a serious new vulnerability has been discovered in Cisco firewalls that could actually turn that shield into an open door for attackers.

This isn’t a theoretical risk. Security agencies have sounded the alarm because attackers are already using this flaw in the wild. And while large organizations have been ordered to patch immediately, small and mid-sized businesses using Cisco equipment are equally at risk.

What’s Happening?

• Hackers found a flaw in Cisco firewall software that lets them break in without a password.

• Once inside, they can take full control of the firewall—the very device that protects your network.

• Worse, some attacks let hackers hide inside the firewall’s memory, surviving reboots or updates. That means even if you patch, the attacker might remain.

Why It Matters to You

If your firewall is compromised:

• Hackers can spy on traffic going in and out of your business.

• They can disable your defenses, making you blind to further attacks.

• They can move deeper into your systems, stealing data or launching ransomware.

In short, the device meant to protect your company could be turned against you.

What Businesses Should Do Right Away

• Patch your Cisco firewalls immediately with the latest updates.

• Check for signs of compromise, not just apply updates. Hackers may already be inside.

• Replace old, unsupported devices that can’t be updated.

• Work with a trusted IT partner to run diagnostics and confirm your firewall hasn’t been tampered with.

Final Word

Cybercriminals know that small & mid sized businesses often lag behind on updates. Don’t give them an easy path in. If you’re not sure whether your firewall is vulnerable—or if it’s been secretly compromised—now is the time to find out.

At TrustPoint IT Solutions, we’re already helping Southeast Wisconsin businesses check their firewalls, apply the right fixes, and confirm attackers haven’t gained a foothold. Don’t wait until it’s too late—reach out today for a free risk assessment.

For source information refer to CISA.gov