Today’s networks are becoming increasingly complex due to digital transformation, cloud services and connected IoT devices. Alongside this cyber threats are growing and becoming ever more sophisticated, the threat landscape is continually evolving. Maintaining a robust and adequate cyber security posture can be challenging, so it’s vital that your organisation has the right tools and solutions in place.
Firewalls are often the first line of defence in safeguarding a business from malicious threats. They create a barrier between the organisation’s network and the internet, protecting the organisation from cyber threats originating from the internet. Firewalls should be able to protect a business from the attacks they are likely to be targeted with, and Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW) are the top of the list of firewall products.
What are Next Generation Firewalls?
Traditional/regular firewalls only provide partial control and limited visibility of incoming and outgoing network traffic. Therefore they no longer provide optimum protection.
Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) are more advanced and provide additional features, such as comprehensive application control and visibility, integrated intrusion prevention and threat intelligence. They are designed to address advanced security threats, such as malware, at the application level through intelligent, context-aware security features.
What does a NGFW include?
Leading tech research firm Gartner states “next generation firewalls (NGFWs) are deep-packet inspection firewalls that move beyond port/protocol inspection and blocking to add application-level inspection, intrusion prevention, and bringing intelligence from outside the firewall.”
A next-generation firewall must include:
- Standard firewall capabilities
- Integrated intrusion prevention
- Advanced malware detection
- Application awareness and control to see and block risky apps
- Threat intelligence sources
- Upgrade paths to include future information feeds
- Techniques to address evolving security threats
Benefits of Next Generation Firewalls
NGFWs are essential component of any organisation’s security architecture. Whether your organisation is looking to improve it’s basic cyber security, or wishing to simplify and improve the effectiveness of your existing security posture, NGFWs offer many benefits:
- Cost effective
- Quick-to-deploy on-premises or in the cloud via a virtual firewall
- Flexible and customised features and settings
- Work across your physical, virtual, and cloud deployments
- Incorporates the scope of antiviruses, firewalls, and other security applications in one solution
- Integrates with other security tools and multi vendor solutions to share threat intelligence
- Scalable performance that adapts with the changing networks of modern organisations
How to choose the right firewall
Choosing the right next generation firewall solution can be time consuming and confusing. Expert advice can cut through the noise.
Infosec Partners is a vendor agnostic cyber security provider. We work across the market, and have strong relationships with leading firewall vendors, such as Fortinet. Our cyber consultants are best placed to advise on the right solution for your organisation’s needs, and can be on hand to deploy and configure if implementation support is needed.
In addition, as a leading MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) we offer a Managed Firewall Service, where our team of cyber experts manage, monitor, and provide 24/7operational firewall support, ensuring your organisation is protected from the advanced threats of today’s fast paced digital environment.
For more information on how NGFWs can protect your organisation, or for an informal chat on how to bolster your security posture please get in touch.
