What’s a NGFW (or Next-Generation Firewall)?

A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is an advanced security device that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional firewalls by performing not only basic packet filtering and port-based access control but also integrating additional features for enhanced security. NGFWs can be deployed as physical appliances within an organization’s infrastructure, offering real-time inspection and processing of network traffic. These on-premises dedicated hardware devices come in various models to suit different throughput capacities and scalability needs, combining traditional firewall functions with advanced features such as deep packet inspection, application awareness, intrusion prevention systems, and more, to provide comprehensive security solutions. Additional features include:  

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Analyzes network traffic in detail, to uncover and stop hidden threats within legitimate-looking traffic.  

• Application Awareness: Precisely identifies and manages applications allowing for specific application use policies.  

• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): monitors for known attack patterns and immediately block or mitigate threats.  

• User and Group-based Policies: Implements security policies customized for individuals or groups to enhance role-based access control.  

• Threat Intelligence Integration: Integrates with real-time threat intelligence feeds to quickly detect and block new threats.  

• SSL/TLS Inspection: Decrypts and inspects encrypted traffic to identify and block hidden threats, mitigating the risk of encrypted attacks.  

• Advanced Logging and Reporting: Provides in-depth reports on network traffic, security events, and user activities for analysis and compliance.  

• VPN (Virtual Private Network) Support: Enables secure remote access to network resources, essential for supporting remote work and branch connectivity.  

Learn more about NGFW for modern threat protection and how they can be deployed.