Modern threats are constantly evolving, and NGFWs need to evolve as well. With cloud applications, VPNs, and remote work, a single appliance cannot secure the entire Enterprise perimeter. NGFWs offer a range of capabilities for granular enforcement and control of traffic by application, content, source, and more. They also feature integrated intrusion prevention, deep packet inspection, and threat intelligence to help eliminate threats from inside the network.
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Scalability
Modern threats are complex and dynamic and require a holistic approach to protection. NGFWs are uniquely positioned to tackle this challenge given their scalable architecture, consolidation of security functions, and integration of external threat intelligence. Rather than requiring centralized hardware in protected network sites, NGFWs use cloud-native software deployed at points of presence (PoPs) worldwide to inspect traffic. This avoids the cost and complexity of backhauling traffic to a single device, reduces latency, and enhances performance.
Additionally, NGFWs use application awareness and deep packet inspection to identify and classify traffic based on the specific applications, content, traffic source, and destination. This granularity allows for more effective policy enforcement, reducing the attack surface. Some NGFWs also integrate with SIEM and threat intelligence platforms to share real-time indicators of compromise (IoC). This allows them to automatically eliminate or block malicious traffic without requiring a 3 a.m. call from a frustrated IT admin. NGFWs can also incorporate the results of those IoCs into a security automation platform for faster response to detected threats.
Automation
A business that doesn’t embrace automation will be left behind. With advanced software and technology, automated processes create more efficiency, cost savings, better customer service, and more. Automating manual processes reduces the number of human errors, which are often difficult to detect and correct. This can help a company meet its measurable goals, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensure consistent results across departments. For example, automating customer service ensures that a trained agent handles every call and that each contact has the same quality of experience, regardless of time or day of the week. It also saves money and increases productivity. Manufacturing automation tools, such as bar feeders, automatic pallet loaders (APLs), and robot cells, streamline production, increase part accuracy, reduce factory lead times, and more. These technologies can be used by any shop of any size, even those that cannot afford to hire additional personnel. Moreover, with the use of next-generation software, they can be used to handle processes and tasks at all hours of the day.
Security
NGFWs offer visibility into the application layer of network traffic, providing granular zero-trust access controls. They can also decrypt and inspect encrypted traffic streams, overcoming the use of encryption for malware delivery or command and control traffic. Unlike traditional firewalls, often standalone devices, NGFWs come with ransomware, spam, and built-in antivirus software, eliminating additional hardware and reducing infrastructural complexity. Securing the expanding enterprise perimeter is challenging with the growth of remote work, cloud deployments, and branch locations. Trying to secure every branch office with on-prem NGFW & UTM appliances or backhauling all internet traffic to an on-prem data center introduces latency and impacts network performance. Using SASE cloud-native NGFW software deployed at points of presence (PoPs) across the globe reduces latency. It provides improved visibility by routing all traffic through the nearest PoP before being security inspected. This also eliminates the need for many on-prem NGFW appliances and makes managing a single, comprehensive security stack easy. Security automation enables your infrastructure to respond in a coordinated fashion to detected threats, minimizing the risk of successful attacks and data breaches.
Deployment
While traditional firewalls may be sufficient for businesses that operate behind a clearly defined network perimeter and use infrastructure under their control, the digital transformation of business operations has made those assumptions obsolete. Instead of securing isolated corporate assets, many organizations operate distributed IT architectures that require NGFW solutions to secure remote access and data transfer across wide-area networks (WANs). Because they combine multiple security technologies in a single device, NGFWs are more than traditional firewalls. They are a security multi-tool, and IT professionals can choose which specific features to utilize regularly while leaving other capabilities untouched or rarely used. For instance, most NGFWs come with standard stateful inspection, VPN, and intrusion protection, but businesses can add advanced features like sandboxing or advanced emerging threats detection. The flexibility and scalability of NGFWs also allow them to fit into the IT budget of any business, large or small. Some offer a range of price options, including a physical appliance designed for smaller networks and a virtual NGFW solution for cloud deployments or WAN edge environments. Some also feature a “pay as you go” model, with pricing based on a combination of network traffic and features, allowing businesses to scale up or down as their needs change. Administrators can use a unified software platform to monitor and manage NGFWs on-premises, in the cloud, or at the WAN edge. This allows them to reduce the complexity of IT operations and take a step toward building a complete security operation center (SOC).
Flexibility
Modern businesses are mostly tech-enabled, so technology flexibility is essential. This enables infrastructure teams to rapidly respond to business changes from functional lines of work, clients, partners, and suppliers. Software as a Service (SaaS) is an example of flexibility that allows businesses to access world-class software without the expense and hassle of installing it on-premises. SaaS providers can offer NGFWs a range of management options, scalability, and throughput variability so you can activate advanced capabilities as needed through subscriptions. Having an IT provider take care of your computer and data storage needs frees up time for your employees to spend on reaching business goals and satisfying customers. This gives your company a competitive edge and helps develop a sustained business advantage. The best way to do this is with an IT partner that offers a flexible cloud solution. As threats evolve, the need for a robust cybersecurity posture increases. Using an NGFW MaaS, businesses can benefit from proactive monitoring, timely updates, expert management, and protection against data breaches and costly outages.
