Understanding Next-Generation Firewalls and their benefits

Introduction

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) represent a significant evolution in network security, offering enhanced protection beyond traditional firewalls. With the increasing complexity of cyber threats, NGFWs provide a more advanced and intelligent approach, combining features like application control, deep-packet inspection, and real-time threat intelligence. The benefits of Next-Generation Firewalls include improved security, better visibility, and the ability to identify and mitigate threats in real-time. Keep reading to learn more about NGFWs and their benefits!

What is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)?

A Next-Generation Firewall is an advanced network security device that enhances the capabilities of traditional firewalls. While traditional firewalls mainly perform stateful inspection of incoming and outgoing traffic—allowing or blocking data based on its source and destination—Next Generation Firewall benefits go a step further by integrating additional features that improve security and control.

How do NGFWs work?

Think of two airport security agencies to understand how NGFWs operate. The first agency checks passenger identities against no-fly lists and verifies travel documents, similar to how traditional firewalls inspect data based on its source and destination. This approach protects against obvious threats.

In contrast, the second agency also inspects what passengers are carrying, looking for hidden dangers. This is akin to how an NGFW operates, as it examines network traffic in greater detail to uncover and block less obvious threats that could be hidden within seemingly normal data.

Key features of Next-Generation Firewalls

Next-Generation Firewalls offer advanced features that enhance your network security. Here are the key features you should know:

High performance

NGFWs are designed to handle large amounts of network traffic without slowing down your operations. With many security features requiring processing power, high performance ensures that your business runs smoothly without disruptions.

Deep-packet inspection

NGFWs perform deep-packet inspection, allowing them to examine the data inside packets, not just their source and destination information. This means they can better identify potential threats and malicious activity by looking at the actual content of the traffic.

Application awareness

NGFWs provide application awareness, allowing them to filter traffic based on the applications in use. This feature allows you to prohibit traffic from specific applications and have more control over how they function on your network.

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

An IPS is included in NGFWs to monitor network traffic for malicious activity and block threats in real-time. It can identify threats in three ways:

• Signature-based (matching known threats)
• Policy-based (blocking activities that violate security rules)
• Anomaly-based (detecting unusual behaviour)

External threat intelligence

NGFWs connect with threat intelligence networks to receive up-to-date information on potential threats. This feature helps you identify bad actors and stay informed about the latest security risks.

Benefits of Next-Generation Firewalls

Some benefits of Next-Generation Firewall include:

• Comprehensive security: Combines traditional firewall functions with advanced features like intrusion prevention and malware detection.
• Advanced threat detection: Another NGFW benefits includes utilising AI and machine learning to identify and block emerging cyber threats in real-time.
• Deep-packet inspection: Inspects data within packets, offering more granular control and security compared to traditional firewalls.
• Application awareness: Controls traffic based on application, ensuring more precise filtering and security.
• Integrated threat intelligence: Continuously updates with the latest threat information to defend against sophisticated attacks.
• Enhanced network visibility: Provides deeper insights into network activity, helping you monitor and manage potential risks more effectively.
• Simplified management: Centralised interfaces allow for easier configuration and automated responses to security incidents.
• Scalability: Cloud-based NGFWs offer scalability, making them suitable for hybrid or distributed networks.

Enhanced security posture

Next-Generation Firewalls benefits include comprehensive protection by integrating multiple security functions such as intrusion prevention, malware detection, and deep-packet inspection. This layered approach significantly improves your network’s defence against evolving cyber threats, ensuring a stronger security posture overall.

Improved threat detection and prevention

With the help of advanced threat intelligence, AI, and machine learning, NGFWs can identify and block sophisticated attacks in real-time. They continuously monitor network traffic for abnormal behaviour, ensuring proactive threat detection and prevention, which helps safeguard your network against emerging risks like zero-day attacks and ransomware.

Comparing NGFWs to traditional firewalls

Traditional firewalls primarily function at the data connection and transport levels (layers 2 and 4 of the OSI model). They focus on port and protocol inspection, allowing or blocking traffic based on specific rules. While this method was effective when applications were easy to identify by their port numbers, it falls short in today’s complex IT environments.

In contrast, NGFWs offer a more advanced approach. They operate at the application layer (layer 7 of the OSI model), which allows them to inspect the actual traffic content rather than simply the source and destination. This means they can filter traffic based on the specific application in use, providing much finer control over what gets through.

Use cases for Next-Generation Firewalls

Advantages of next-generation firewalls include a range of capabilities that enhance network security across various scenarios. Here are some of the key use cases:

Network access control

NGFWs allow you to control who can access your network and what they are allowed to do. You can set up rules to limit or block specific types of traffic, reducing the risk of unauthorised access and protecting your network from malicious actors.

Malware protection

NGFWs include advanced malware detection capabilities, allowing them to quickly detect and block malicious traffic. This protection helps prevent malware attacks such as worms, viruses, and Trojans from entering your network.

Content filtering

With content filtering, NGFWs can block access to inappropriate or harmful websites based on predetermined criteria. This ensures employees or customers do not access dangerous or unsuitable internet content, improving both security and compliance.

Web application protection

NGFWs can protect web applications by inspecting incoming traffic for suspicious behaviour. They can block malicious requests before they reach your application server, safeguarding against hackers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities.

Challenges and limitations of NGFWs

While NGFWs offer enhanced security features, they also come with certain challenges and limitations, especially in today’s rapidly evolving IT environments. Understanding the Next-Generation Firewall advantages and disadvantages is crucial for making informed decisions. Here are some key issues:

Performance limitations with hardware

NGFW appliances often struggle to meet the demands of modern networks. As user mobility and cloud adoption grow, physical NGFW hardware can’t keep up with the increasing traffic and security needs. Their limited processing capacity becomes a bottleneck for high-performance environments.

Traffic backhauling for security

Traditionally, NGFWs were placed in data centres to secure all traffic. However, with more users accessing cloud applications like Microsoft 365 directly via the internet, backhauling traffic through the NGFW hardware in the data centre slows down performance. Organisations need to route traffic locally to ensure a faster user experience, which NGFWs can’t handle efficiently.

Securing local internet breakouts

To secure local internet traffic (internet breakouts) in different locations, you would need NGFWs or other appliances deployed in each office. This setup requires manual installation, ongoing maintenance, and eventual replacement, which can be complex and expensive, especially for organisations with multiple branch offices.

Inspecting encrypted traffic

Most web traffic today is encrypted using TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer). While NGFWs can inspect encrypted traffic, they often rely on software-based inspection tools, which degrade performance. Without inspecting this encrypted traffic, you remain vulnerable to hidden threats, but with inspection, user experience suffers due to slowdowns.

Future trends in firewall technology

Here are some of the key future trends shaping the NGFW market:

Convergence of security technologies

Modern NGFWs are integrating various security tools like intrusion prevention, antivirus, URL filtering, and advanced threat detection into unified platforms. This convergence simplifies security management, providing you with enhanced visibility and a more comprehensive approach to defend against cyber threats.

Integration of AI and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are now core elements of NGFWs. These technologies allow your firewall to analyse traffic patterns, detect anomalies, and adapt to new threats in real-time. AI-powered NGFWs offer proactive security by continuously learning from new data to stay ahead of evolving cyberattacks.

Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)

Zero Trust Architecture is becoming a critical trend in NGFWs, focusing on strict access controls and continuous monitoring. By requiring authentication for every user and device, ZTA helps reduce the attack surface, protecting your network from both insider threats and external attacks.

Cloud-centric security

As businesses shift towards cloud infrastructure, NGFWs are evolving with cloud-based solutions. These firewalls offer scalable and centralised security management, ensuring consistent protection across both on-premises and cloud environments.

Simplified management and Automation

User-friendly interfaces and automation are now priorities for NGFW providers. With centralised dashboards, intuitive policy setups, and automated threat responses, you can manage security issues efficiently, reducing the workload on your cybersecurity teams.

Advanced threat protection

NGFWs are enhancing threat protection to combat sophisticated cyberattacks like ransomware and zero-day exploits. Using threat intelligence and behavioural analysis, these firewalls can identify and neutralise advanced threats before they cause damage.

5G security integration

As 5G networks expand, NGFWs are adapting to support 5G infrastructure. These firewalls are crucial for securing the increased connectivity and faster data speeds associated with 5G technology, ensuring your network remains resilient in the age of hyper-connectivity.

Conclusion

The benefits of Next-Generation Firewalls deliver a robust security solution, offering a blend of advanced threat detection, application control, and real-time intelligence. By leveraging these benefits, organisations can strengthen their security posture, gain better visibility into their network activity, and ensure they are prepared for both current and future cyber threats. The flexibility and scalability of NGFWs make them a valuable asset in today’s increasingly digital and connected world.

Also, to meet the challenges of modern digital environments, Tata Communications offers a wide range of Cyber Security services, including firewall management, network protection. Some of our offerings include:

• Identify and mitigate risks with real-time monitoring and advanced analytics.
• Secure your enterprise with managed Next-Generation Firewalls, enabling robust application control and deep packet inspection.
• Protect hybrid and cloud environments with scalable and flexible solutions designed for multi-cloud infrastructures.
• Access 24/7 support from certified security professionals for streamlined operations and improved threat response

Schedule a conversation with our experts or explore our resources to discover how our advanced solutions, including managed NGFWs, can support your organisation’s needs.