| 1. | a partition made of fireproof material to prevent the spread of a fire from one part of a building or ship to another or to isolate an engine compartment, as on a plane, automobile, etc. |
| 2. | an integrated collection of security measures designed to prevent unauthorized electronic access to a networked computer system. |
fire·wall  (fīr'wôl)  n.
To apply maximum acceleration or thrust. Used of motor vehicles or aircraft. |
A means of separating a computer network from outside networks for security purposes. A server outside an organization's own network may be used to funnel all incoming and outgoing traffic to assist in keeping out viruses, as well as to prevent unauthorized outsiders from gaining access to a network.
Firewall
Legal barriers that prevent both the transference of inside information and the performance of financial transactions between commercial and investment banks.
Investopedia Commentary
Restrictions placed on collaborations between banks and brokerage firms under the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, acted as a form of firewall.
This works similarly to fire wall software and hardware used in preventing or limiting outside access to a company's internal servers and networks.
See also: Broker, Broker-Dealer, Chinese Wall, Commercial Bank, Dealer, Glass-Steagall Act, Inside Information, Investment Bank
firewall
1. firewall code.
2. firewall machine.