1

Table of Contents

What is Network Firewall…………………………. 3

Next Generation - What’s The Difference………… 4
Reason You Need a Network Firewall……….......... 4
Key Uses of Firewalls……………………………… 4
Benefits and Limitation of Network Firewall……… 5-6
How Does a Firewall Work?..................................... 6
Multiple types of firewalls………………………….. 7
How to Use Firewall Protection?................................9
How an Enterprise Firewall Works………………… 10
Solutions of Firewall……………………………….. 12

2
What is a Network Firewall?
Network Firewall is a part of network security, network security is the field of cybersecurity focused on
protecting computer networks from cyber threats. It is part of the network security portfolio, which has
multiple offerings of Firewalls, Security Information and Event Management, Security Orchestration
Automation and Response, Server Security, Email Security, Network Access and Control, Intrusion
Prevention System, and Intrusion Detection System and many more.

Network Security comes under the whole cybersecurity umbrella of solutions with other offerings of
Application Security, Endpoint Security, Data Security, Cloud Security.

A Network Firewall is a security device used to prevent or limit illegal access to private networks by using
policies defining the only traffic allowed on the network; any other traffic seeking to connect is blocked.

Network firewalls are located at the network’s front line, serving as a communications link between
internal and external networks.

Network Firewall Basics

The Network firewall protects all connected computers from unsolicited incoming traffic on a home router
system, such as someone trying to hack one of your computers. That group of computers is known as your
home network and, in many ways, it’s a simpler version of your business’s network, which may include
many more computers, servers, and other devices; both are network firewalls. But while a home
network’s firewall is fairly low stakes, you need to take a more active approach to firewall management
when employing a network firewall for your business’s security needs.

Security Standards - It’s All in The Settings

Some types of malicious traffic are obvious. As known threats, even low quality systems know to block
them. In professional settings, though, you need to actively manage your network firewall’s settings.

There are several ways to approach this customization process. One option is to create narrow
restrictions, such that only pre-authorized traffic is permitted. This can be excessively restrictive, making
it hard for team members to complete tasks, but it does offer a high degree of security. Alternatively, you
might opt to set strict, but less clearly defined settings based on your typical activities

Next Generation - What’s The Difference

Traditional firewalls have been around since the 1980s – essentially since there was any type of network
to protect – and in the most basic sense they remain unchanged. More recently, though, there’s been a
shift toward a more advanced type of firewall known as Next Generation Firewall.

3
In addition to monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic on your computer’s network, Next Generation
Firewalls can also inspect the content of incoming information packets, such as application downloads, to
better protect your network. This allows it to identify and block malware, among other dangerous
incoming traffic, while maximizing productivity.

Reason You Need a Network Firewall

• Next Generation Firewall, while offering a number of added features compared to conventional
security systems, is also a type of network firewall – and it may be exactly what your business
needs by combining the typical network monitoring capacities of a classic firewall with advanced
threat detection and scalable capabilities for even the largest businesses. And, as more business
functions move into the cloud, and threats become more advanced, your business needs a threat
detection solution that can manage these emerging concerns.
• As the latest iteration in network firewall, Next Generation Firewall integrates a much wider set
of capacities than older systems for the ultimate SMB security solution. Integrating features like
VPN, antivirus, and identity awareness, our security gateway offers the widest possible range of
security solutions, enabling it to guard against zero day exploits and ransomware, along with other
high-level threats.
• Conventional network firewalls have served businesses well for years, but as digital threats
evolve, firewalls have had to evolve with them. It’s not just the threats you need to worry about,
though – it’s the expanding nature of the network as well. As your network expands to include
public and private cloud solutions, it becomes harder to protect. Don’t let your business be caught
with an out-of-date security strategy – invest in a system meant for the hazards of the modern
world.

Key Uses of Firewalls

• Firewalls can be used in corporate as well as consumer settings.
• Firewalls can incorporate a security information and event management strategy (SIEM) into
cybersecurity devices concerning modern organizations and are installed at the network
perimeter of organizations to guard against external threats as well as insider threats.
• Firewalls can perform logging and audit functions by identifying patterns and improving rules by
updating them to defend the immediate threats.

• Firewalls can be used for a home network, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or cable modem having
static IP addresses. Firewalls can easily filter traffic and can signal the user about intrusions.
• They are also used for antivirus applications.
• When vendors discover new threats or patches, the firewalls update the rule sets to resolve the
vendor issues.
• In-home devices, we can set the restrictions using Hardware/firmware firewalls.

4
Why Are Firewalls Important?
Firewalls are designed with modern security techniques that are used in a wide range of applications. In
the early days of the internet, networks needed to be built with new security techniques, especially in the
client-server model, a central architecture of modern computing. That's where firewalls have started to
build the security for networks with varying complexities. Firewalls are known to inspect traffic and
mitigate threats to the devices.

Functions of Firewall
• The most important function of a firewall is that it creates a border between an external network
and the guarded network where the firewall inspects all packets (pieces of data for internet
transfer) entering and leaving the guarded network. Once the inspection is completed, a firewall
can differentiate between benign and malicious packets with the help of a set of pre-configured
rules.
• The firewall abides such packets, whether they come in a rule set or not, so that they should not
enter into the guarded network.
• This packet form information includes the information source, its destination, and the content.
These might differ at every level of the network, and so do the rule sets. Firewalls read these
packets and reform them concerning rules to tell the protocol where to send them.

Benefits and Limitation of Network Firewall

Benefits of Network Firewall
1. Enhanced Network Security: Firewalls provide a layer of defense against unauthorized access,
malicious activities, and potential threats, such as malware and viruses. They help protect
sensitive information and prevent data breaches.
2. Access Control: Firewalls allow administrators to define and enforce access control policies,
determining which network traffic is allowed or blocked. This helps in restricting unauthorized
access and preventing the spread of malicious content within the network.
3. Traffic Filtering: Firewalls can filter network traffic based on various criteria, such as IP
addresses, port numbers, protocols, and application types. This allows administrators to block or
allow specific types of traffic, improving network performance and reducing the risk of security
incidents.
4. Network Segmentation: Firewalls enable network segmentation by dividing a network into
different security zones or subnets. This helps in isolating sensitive data and systems from less
secure areas, reducing the potential impact of a security breach and limiting lateral movement
of threats.
5. Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Many advanced firewalls have built-in intrusion detection
and prevention systems (IDPS) that monitor network traffic for suspicious behavior and known
attack patterns. They can block or mitigate such attacks in real-time, enhancing the overall
security posture.

5
Limitation of Firewall

1. Complex Configuration: Firewalls can be complex to configure and manage, especially for
organizations with large and complex networks. Setting up the appropriate rules and policies
requires expertise and ongoing monitoring to ensure the firewall operates effectively without
impacting legitimate traffic.
2. False Positives and Negatives: Misconfigurations or overly restrictive rules can result in false
positives, where legitimate traffic is blocked or denied. Conversely, false negatives can occur
when malicious traffic goes undetected or bypasses the firewall, potentially leading to security
breaches.
3. Performance Impact: Firewalls introduce a level of processing overhead to inspect and filter
network traffic. Depending on the firewall's capacity and the amount of traffic, there may be a
performance impact, especially if the firewall is not properly sized or configured.
4. Encryption Challenges: Firewalls face challenges when dealing with encrypted traffic, such as
Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). While there are methods to inspect
encrypted traffic, they can be resource-intensive, and privacy concerns may arise.
5. Single Point of Failure: If a firewall fails, it can become a single point of failure for the entire
network. Redundancy measures, such as high-availability configurations or backup firewalls,
should be implemented to minimize the impact of a firewall failure.

How Does a Firewall Work?

• Firewalls filter the network traffic within a private network. It analyses which traffic should be
allowed or restricted based on a set of rules. Think of the firewall like a gatekeeper at your
computer’s entry point which only allows trusted sources, or IP addresses, to enter your network.
• A firewall welcomes only those incoming traffic that has been configured to accept. It
distinguishes between good and malicious traffic and either allows or blocks specific data packets
on pre-established security rules.
• These rules are based on several aspects indicated by the packet data, like their source,
destination, content, and so on. They block traffic coming from suspicious sources to prevent
cyberattacks.
• The firewall blocks malicious traffic from entering the private network, thereby protecting the
user’s network from being susceptible to a cyberattack.
• This way, a firewall carries out quick assessments to detect malware and other suspicious
activities.

6
There are multiple types of firewalls based on their traffic filtering
methods, structure, and functionality. A few types of firewalls are:
1. Packet Filtering
2. Proxy Service Firewall
3. Stateful Inspection
4. Next-Generation Firewall
5. Unified Threat Management (UTM) Firewall
6. Threat-Focused NGFW

• Packet Filtering

A packet filtering firewall controls data flow to and from a network. It allows or blocks the data transfer
based on the packet's source address, the destination address of the packet, the application protocols to
transfer the data, and so on.

Cisco ASA (Adaptive Security Appliance) is one example of a packet filtering firewall product. By inspecting
packets and applying predetermined rules to allow or reject their transit based on parameters including
source/destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocol types, Cisco ASA is a widely used firewall
solution that offers packet filtering features to safeguard network traffic.

• Proxy Service Firewall

This type of firewall protects the network by filtering messages at the application layer. For a specific
application, a proxy firewall serves as the gateway from one network to another.

An example of a proxy service firewall is the Squid proxy server. Squid is a popular open-source proxy
caching server that can also be used as a firewall. It acts as an intermediary between clients and the
internet, forwarding requests and filtering traffic based on configurable rules and policies.

• Stateful Inspection

Such a firewall permits or blocks network traffic based on state, port, and protocol. Here, it decides
filtering based on administrator-defined rules and context.

An example of a stateful inspection firewall is Palo Alto Networks' Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW).
Palo Alto Networks is a leading provider of network security solutions, and their NGFW platform
incorporates stateful inspection as a key feature.

• Next-Generation Firewall

7
According to Gartner, Inc.’s definition, the next-generation firewall is a deep-packet inspection firewall
that adds application-level inspection, intrusion prevention, and information from outside the firewall to
go beyond port/protocol inspection and blocking.

An example of a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is Fortinet's FortiGate. FortiGate is a renowned

network security appliance that combines traditional firewall functionality with advanced security
features such as intrusion prevention, application control, SSL inspection, and threat intelligence.

• Unified Threat Management (UTM) Firewall

A UTM device generally integrates the capabilities of a stateful inspection firewall, intrusion prevention,
and antivirus in a loosely linked manner. It may include additional services and, in many cases, cloud
management. UTMs are designed to be simple and easy to use.

An example of a Unified Threat Management (UTM) firewall is Sophos XG Firewall. Sophos XG Firewall is
a comprehensive network security solution that combines multiple security functionalities into a single
device.

• Threat-Focused NGFW

These firewalls provide advanced threat detection and mitigation. With network and endpoint event
correlation, they may detect evasive or suspicious behavior.

An example of a Threat-Focused Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is Cisco Firepower NGFW. Cisco

Firepower NGFW is designed to provide advanced threat protection and security intelligence capabilities
alongside traditional firewall functionalities. It combines network firewalling, intrusion prevention,
application visibility and control, advanced malware protection, URL filtering, and other security
features into a single solution.

8
How to Use Firewall Protection?
• To keep your network and devices safe, make sure your firewall is set up and maintained correctly.
Here are some tips to help you improve your firewall security.
• Constantly update your firewalls as soon as possible: Firmware patches keep your firewall
updated against any newly discovered vulnerabilities.
• Use antivirus protection: In addition to firewalls, you need to use antivirus software to protect
your system from viruses and other infections.
• Limit accessible ports and host: Limit inbound and outbound connections to a strict whitelist of
trusted IP addresses.
• Have active network: To avoid downtime, have active network redundancies. Data backups for
network hosts and other critical systems can help you avoid data loss and lost productivity in the
case of a disaster.

What is an Enterprise Firewall

Firewalls are a crucial component of any organization’s network security architecture. A firewall defines
the boundary between the private corporate network and the public Internet, limiting the types of traffic
that can cross this perimeter. However, different organizations have different firewall and security needs.
An enterprise firewall offers the scale and capabilities needed to protect an enterprise network against
advanced cyber threats.

How an Enterprise Firewall Works

A traditional firewall performs packet filtering by inspecting the contents of packet headers and applying
rules based on IP addresses and port numbers. However, this does not provide adequate protection
against modern cyber threats.

9
What Is a Next-Generation Firewall?
A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a network security device that provides capabilities beyond a
traditional, stateful firewall. While a traditional firewall typically provides stateful inspection of incoming
and outgoing network traffic, a next-generation firewall includes additional features like application
awareness and control, integrated intrusion prevention, and cloud-delivered threat intelligence.

Features that you should look out for in a Next-Generation

Firewalls (or NGFW) are:
1. Network Segmentation
2. Network Access Control (NAC)
3. Remote Access VPNs
4. Email Security
5. Web Security
6. Data Loss Prevention
7. Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
8. Sandboxing

Network Segmentation: In addition to defining the network perimeter, firewalls can also create internal
boundaries within the corporate network. This helps to protect against lateral movement of threats within
the enterprise network perimeter.

Network Access Control (NAC): NGFWs can apply role-based access controls to the traffic that they
inspect. For example, a NGFW can implement zero-trust security controls by blocking traffic containing
unauthorized requests.

Remote Access VPNs: Virtual private networks (VPNs) can provide remote workers with secure access to
the corporate network. A NGFW can act as a VPN endpoint, inspecting traffic before it moves on to its
destination.

Email Security: Email is a widely-used medium for business communications and is commonly a target of
phishing attacks. Email security solutions inspect an email’s contents and attachments for malicious code
or links before allowing it to reach the user’s inbox.

Web Security: Phishing sites, drive-by downloads, and other threats pose a risk to an organization’s
employees. Web security integrations enable firewalls to identify and block traffic to malicious or
inappropriate sites.

10
Data Loss Prevention: Data exfiltration, which is increasingly a component of ransomware attacks, usually
occurs over the network. NGFWs can identify and block attempted exfiltration based on identification of
sensitive content within outbound traffic.

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): An IPS can provide protection against a wide range of cyberattacks.
One of the defining features of an NGFW is the integration of IPS capabilities to protect against brute force
attacks, vulnerability exploitation, and similar threats.

Sandboxing: Not all malware can be easily identified by inspecting the contents of network traffic.
Sandboxing detonates potential threats in a secure, isolated environment to identify any malicious
functionality before it reaches corporate systems.

NGFWs provide a wide range of protections to an organization’s systems. However, deploying the right
solution is crucial to the success of an enterprise network security program.

Different Types of Enterprise Firewalls

Different enterprises require different types of firewalls. For example, high-availability firewalls are vital
for critical applications, hyperscale firewalls offer the scalability that enterprises need to support future
growth and low latency firewalls secure high frequency trading applications with minimal interruption.

Enterprise Firewall Management

• With the advent of globalisation, enterprises are increasingly expanding their operations
worldwide. This expansion leads to the establishment of offices, branches, factories, and
workplaces across different countries. As a result, managing IT-related activities becomes
considerably complex, particularly when it comes to IT and network security in distributed
environments.
• Therefore, large enterprises require a robust solution that can support an Enterprise Firewall
Architecture. Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) also require a scalable and distributed
solution that offers secure and exclusive segmented views for their clients. MSSPs need a
deployable solution that can effectively manage a specific geographical area.

11
Techjockey Provides Solution for Top Firewall
Industry Leaders

Sophos Firewall

Description
Sophos Firewall provides comprehensive next-generation firewall protection
powered by deep learning and Synchronized Security. Offering unmatched
insights, Firewall exposes hidden user, application, and threat risks on the
network and is unique in its ability to respond automatically to security
incidents by isolating compromised systems with Security Heartbeat.

Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)

Description
Offered via the Check Point Infinity architecture, Check Point’s NGFW
includes 23 Firewall models optimized for running all threat prevention
technologies simultaneously, including full SSL traffic inspection, without
compromising on security or performance.

WatchGuard Network Security

Description
For over 20 years, WatchGuard has pioneered cutting-edge cyber
security technology and delivered it as easy-to-deploy and easy-to-
manage solutions. Our unique approach to network security focuses on
bringing best-in-class, enterprise-grade security to any organization,
regardless of size or technical expertise.

12
FortiGate NGFW
Description
FortiGate offers a network security platform, designed to deliver threat
protection and performance with reduced complexity

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall

Description
Our next-generation firewall classifies all traffic, including encrypted traffic,
based on application, application function, user and content. You can create
comprehensive, precise security policies, resulting in safe enablement of
applications. This lets only authorized users run sanctioned applications,
greatly reducing the surface area of cyber-attacks across the organization.

SonicWall NGFW

Description
SonicWall real-time breach detection and prevention solutions protect more
than one million networks worldwide

Zscaler Internet Access

Description
Zscaler Internet Access is a cloud native security service edge (SSE)
solution that builds on a decade of secure web gateway leadership. Offered
as a scalable SaaS platform from the world’s largest security cloud, it
replaces legacy network security solutions to stop advanced attacks and
prevent data loss with a comprehensive zero trust approach.

13
Cisco Secure Firewall
Description
Firewall solutions from Cisco offer integrated security to help
safeguard various network environments.

Forcepoint Next-Gen Firewall

Description
Connecting and protecting distributed enterprises and government
agencies is more important than ever before. Defending your people and
critical assets starts at the new edge. Forcepoint Next-Gen Firewall
combines true enterprise-class SD-WAN, advanced intrusion prevention,
and seamless integration with cloud-based SASE security to keep your
people and data safe.

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Description
Barracuda's Cloud Generation Firewalls redefine the role of the Firewall
from a perimeter security solution to a distributed network optimization
solution that scales across any number of locations and applications,
connects on-premises and cloud infrastructures, and helps organizations
transform their business

Find the leading Network Security Solutions on techjockey.com

14