Which of the following best describes the role of a firewall?

The role of a firewall is primarily to filter and monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic. This involves examining packets of data that are transmitted to and from the network, enforcing preset security rules to determine whether the traffic should be allowed or blocked. Firewalls serve as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external sources, making them crucial for protecting networks from unauthorized access and malicious attacks.

By allowing only recognized and safe traffic to pass while blocking potentially harmful access, firewalls help maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data on a network. This filtering process is essential for organizations looking to safeguard sensitive information and maintain a secure computing environment.

While backup data storage, enhancing hardware performance, and deleting malicious software are important aspects of IT security and functionality, these roles do not encompass the primary function of a firewall. A firewall's specific duty is centered around traffic management and network perimeter defense.