Next Generation Firewall
Next Generation Firewall
A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is a type of network security device or software that incorporates advanced capabilities beyond traditional firewalls. NGFWs are designed to provide enhanced security and control over network traffic by combining traditional firewall functionality with additional features and capabilities. These additional features typically include:
Application Layer Filtering: NGFWs can inspect and filter traffic at the application layer (Layer 7) of the OSI model. This means they can identify and control specific applications and services running on the network, not just based on ports and protocols but by examining the actual content of the traffic.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS)
NGFWs often include intrusion detection and prevention systems to detect and block known and unknown threats, such as malware, exploits, and vulnerabilities.
User and Identity Awareness
NGFWs can associate network traffic with specific users or devices. This allows for user-based policies and tracking, which can be useful for enforcing security policies and monitoring user behavior.
Content Filtering: NGFWs can filter web content and URLs, allowing organizations to control access to websites and web applications based on categories, keywords, or specific URLs.