What does correct configuration of firewalls and routers help protect?

Correct configuration of firewalls and routers primarily helps protect network system integrity. This involves ensuring that the network is secure from unauthorized access and that the data transmitted across the network remains intact and unaltered during transit. By effectively managing traffic and enforcing security policies, firewalls and routers play a crucial role in preventing intrusions and cyberattacks, which could compromise the overall integrity of the network infrastructure.

While data privacy is certainly a concern addressed by firewalls and routers, their primary function is to maintain system integrity by controlling access and monitoring traffic. Physical access control pertains to securing the physical premises and hardware, which is not the focus of firewall and router configurations. Lastly, while user experience can be impacted by network performance and security measures, it is not a direct objective of configuring firewalls and routers, which aim chiefly at securing the network and its resources.