Traditional firewalls police traffic flow in and out of a network based on ports, protocols, and source and destination IP addresses. They employ packet filtering, leverage stateful inspection, and offer VPN support.
An NGFW is an IT security multi-tool that goes beyond basic packet filters, IPS integration, and virtual private network compatibility, including application-level gateway/proxy monitoring, granular degrees of access control, SSL inspection, and real-time threat intelligence.
Encryption
Firewall encryption is a process whereby data sent over the network is encrypted in real-time. This prevents hackers from accessing the data and using it for malicious purposes. It is also possible to encrypt files that have already been created, but this is less useful since the data will still exist in an unencrypted format elsewhere on the network.
Traditional firewalls rely on protection based on ports, protocols, and source or destination IP addresses. However, new threats that target applications rather than networking components and services are emerging. As a result, these attacks are becoming increasingly more difficult to detect and block with a traditional firewall.
Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) provide visibility and control of applications at the granular level instead of a port or protocol to address this issue. These technologies can inspect traffic at the application layer, which helps detect malware and other threats that could bypass conventional security layers.
Additionally, NGFWs can incorporate data classification tools that help divide information into risk groups and protect it accordingly. They can also integrate with other network security solutions and help organizations build a comprehensive defense ecosystem. They can also detect anomalous behavior and suspicious activity in the network and offer advanced malware protection capabilities that reduce the likelihood of a successful attack against the organization.
Application Control
Application control is firewall security that safeguards applications against cyber threats. It does so by identifying the traffic flow of different applications on a network and applying granular security policies based on that information. This allows administrators to allow and block specific application types. Unlike traditional security systems that compare file patterns against a known list of malware applications, application control looks at the file’s actual contents to identify potential threats.
Organizations can use application control only to allow users to adopt applications and tools independently with IT department approval. This helps to reduce the risk of unauthorized applications delivering malware and other cyber threats into the organization. It also aligns with security best practices such as The Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight and other regulatory frameworks.
As an added benefit, NGFWs that include application control can detect and block the download of malicious software such as ransomware and other malware. This type of protection is essential for businesses that require employees to work remotely. As a result, they must ensure that remote workers don’t accidentally download malware or malicious code to the organization’s systems. It also protects against rogue or accidental applications, such as social networking and gaming apps, that could negatively impact productivity. In addition, if the NGFW includes micro-segmentation, it can apply more granular traffic routing rules to application-specific flows. This improves security by reducing the attack surface and improving visibility across networks.
Antivirus
A firewall is only complete with a solid antivirus to stop viruses and malware from wreaking havoc. Malware and viruses are digital traps designed to steal data or interfere with your operations. They come in many forms, from malware that infects your devices to phishing scams, ransomware, and more. Hackers exploit them to accomplish various goals, from making money to controlling your system.
The best antivirus software uses a combination of detection methods to spot threats and prevent them from dispersing. For example, it looks at the code patterns of suspicious files and compares them to known virus detection patterns in its database. If it finds one, it blocks the file from spreading by obliterating it or segregating it into a quarantine space. It also scans your computer system to check for malware hiding in unsuspected areas.
It’s also worth considering next-generation antivirus, which utilizes AI and machine learning to detect threats that traditional antivirus would miss. These tools can help protect against fileless malware and new malware families that lack signatures.
Regardless of your business size, hackers constantly search for new ways to enter your systems and take control of your data. It’s your responsibility to keep up with their efforts by incorporating the proper security tools into your business.
Intrusion Detection System
As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, firewalls must be supplemented with intrusion detection systems (IDS). IDS proactively monitors network traffic and system activity for signs of malicious behavior. They use various techniques, such as signature-based monitoring, which compares incoming data with a database of attack patterns or attributes and flags any match. Another method is anomaly-based, which establishes a standard network and system activity baseline and flags any deviations.
In addition to signature and anomaly-based methods, IDS also uses heuristic detection. This method analyzes the underlying code of incoming packets and looks for any anomalies or deviations from protocol standards. This is particularly useful for detecting malware infections and vulnerability exploits.
Unlike firewalls, which work inline, IDS operates out of band, ensuring they don’t interfere with the real-time communication path between network devices and external sources. They can also operate at higher speeds since they’re not on the direct communication path between networks.
A next-generation firewall with integrated IDS/IPS offers a complete security solution that prevents threats from entering or exiting your network. It identifies and analyzes applications that run on your network, allowing you to define policies and prioritize application usage to ensure compliance with security regulations. It also enables you to block risky applications and limit their bandwidth while providing real-time monitoring and advanced threat detection capabilities.
