Next-Generation Firewall Can Make Your Network More Secure
Going online without any security measures is like sharing your bank password; it leaves you and your company exposed. We are fortunate to have protection systems at our disposal, like firewalls and antivirus software. But are they sufficient to protect you or your company, given the sophistication of cyber threats? That’s where more sophisticated systems like ngfw Malaysia, or next-generation firewalls, come into play.
What precisely are NGFWs? In what ways will it help your network be more secure than a conventional firewall?
What is a Next Generation Firewall?
A next-generation firewall, or NGFW for short, is a vast advancement over the traditional firewalls that networks frequently employ. But just what does that mean? Let’s first discuss what a conventional firewall performs before delving into a more thorough explanation of an ngfw Malaysia.
Since their debut in 1994, firewalls have been the de facto network security technology. Consider firewalls as the gatekeeper who keeps an eye on traffic entering and leaving your network following a set of rules. When data transmission deviates from these guidelines, the firewall immediately stops it. This is the core function of a firewall and is known as stateful inspection. Even though firewalls have been securing networks for more than 20 years, their functionality is still quite constrained. Traditional firewalls can struggle to keep up as internet security threats grow.
The NGFW firewall is now active. A next generation firewall Malaysia (ngfw Malaysia) improves on a traditional firewall by providing a complete cybersecurity solution with more sophisticated capabilities. After simple port and address monitoring, deep packet inspection and intrusion prevention are added.
Modern firewalls are now able to stop malware and other sophisticated internet attacks. Additionally, it includes application awareness, allowing it to track and restrict software that might be a security issue. The network is regularly monitored by intrusion prevention systems (IPS) for any unusual behaviour that could exploit security holes in the network.
What’s the Key Difference between Standard and Next Generation Firewalls?
We’ve already discussed the more fundamental distinction between these two technologies, so let’s dig into more specifics.
Next-generation firewalls must contain the same fundamental features as a traditional firewall. This entails employing dynamic and static filtering to close check on incoming and outgoing network traffic and make sure each connection is valid. Additionally, they must translate network and port addresses to map IP addresses. VPNs are supported by both NGFW and standard firewalls.
There are no more commonalities, and this is where the most intriguing features of NGFWs start.
Modern firewalls are more focused since they can now track packets according to the applications they are used for. Because applications are found at Layer 7 of the OSI model, this is also known as an NGFW layer seven firewalls. They have complete control over all programmes and software operating on the network and use allowlists and signature matching to distinguish between legitimate and malicious programmes.
However, the ability of next-generation firewalls to adapt to deal with threats that have not yet existed is their most novel feature. NGFWs do this by utilising online intelligence sources and setting up an upgrade route for them to advance.
A Next-Generation Firewall’s advantages
The fundamental advantage of employing a next-generation firewall is that it provides stronger, all-encompassing security against all significant internet threats. An NGFW now immediately stops malware in its path, something firewalls are unable to do. An NGFW can also be used to prevent sophisticated attacks like Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
Regardless of the computer’s IP address, its application-level monitoring is a game-changer since it permits the usage of lawful Internet programmes while suppressing unwanted ones. Additionally, it offers administrators in businesses more precise control over employee programmes.
Newer firewall technology is also quite effective. It integrates the features of several security programmes, including firewalls and anti-virus software, into a potent bundle. As a result, it may be a very affordable option for businesses wishing to increase security. Because there is only one interface to deal with instead of several, it operates more simply and smoothly.
In the end, NGFWs are swiftly becoming the prerequisite for Internet safety today and shortly. The rate of advancement of hackers and harmful attackers is worrying. Next-generation firewall services, however, have a great possibility of responding to threats we haven’t even encountered yet because of their adaptability and intelligent design.
What Constitutes a Next-Generation Firewall’s Core Components?
As more security developers release their own next-generation firewall products, it’s critical to assess each one to ensure that it’s working for your company. When looking around for an NGFW, keep the following points in mind:
Strong Security Elements
First off, the security of every next-generation firewall you examine is principally assessed. Potential security holes must be able to be found, and further assaults like malware or SQL injections must be stopped. Sandboxing, behaviour analysis, URL filtering, and intrusion prevention systems are some of the methods crucial for NGFWs (IPS).
Second, a strong NGFW never depends solely on one line of protection. Your front line won’t ever be able to completely thwart all threats. Therefore, a strong firewall should also be able to identify any threats that get past your early defences and promptly halt them before they can cause any harm.
Third, an NGFW should be able to modify itself over time using the most recent intelligence data.
Time to Detect and React
Time is always a factor when it comes to network security. Instead of the industry typical of 100 to 200 days, a next-generation firewall should be able to identify threats and respond to them in just seconds. NGFWs should also notify you of a breach within minutes or hours of it happening.
In addition to alerting you quickly, next-generation firewalls should be able to prioritise the dangers that need your immediate attention.
Including Your Security System
A next-generation firewall should be able to function effectively with the other elements of your network architecture as your principal security instrument.
Look for firewalls that can easily communicate with and exchange important data with other security appliances on your network. Automating essential security chores like user identification and network policy management should be possible with NGFWs.
Configuration That Is Modular
Whether you run a small business or a huge corporation, your network requires a firewall that can adapt to those demands. It should also be able to be deployed in a broad range of contexts, including both on-premises and cloud environments. Additionally, administrators must be able to install only the functions they actually require and configure every aspect of the firewall.
Network Awareness
To identify and block threats coming from all directions, a next-generation firewall must constantly scan every square inch of your network. An ngfw Malaysia must have complete visibility and contextual knowledge of every server, application, file transfer, communication, and data storage on your network in order to do this. By doing so, it will be able to detect any possible hacks from individuals, devices, and other networks.
Additionally, NGFWs should have a thorough understanding of any threats that breach their defences, including their historical movements, present location, and current activities.
Other Qualities
Geolocation, which enables you to regulate and divert traffic based on actual location, is another valuable feature you could take into account. Support for web gateways and reverse proxy servers is also crucial.
NGFW and Fusion are your best defences.
A robust security system for the current Internet era is on the horizon, and next generation firewalls are a start in that direction. But you know what’s even better? having a single system that handles all facets of network security. Unified Threat Management (UTM), a feature of Fusion Connect, focuses on this.
The administration of the security of your network is made easier by UTM, a multi-layered centralised solution. The greatest features of anti-virus software, malware protection, content filtering, and next-generation firewalls are all included in it. The ultimate, complete security solution is then produced by adding quick deployment, an interactive reporting system, and straightforward licensing.
Want to upgrade your current security system by adding a next-generation firewall (ngfw Malaysia)? Use any of our Fortigate standalone firewall devices, please.
Article posted by The Posting Tree
