A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a firewall that looks at more than ports and protocols. It inspects traffic at the application level, so it can tell which applications, users and content are crossing your network and apply rules to each one. Most NGFWs combine standard firewall functions with intrusion prevention, malware detection, sandboxing, SSL inspection, threat intelligence feeds and identity-based rules. That means you can block a risky application or a known malicious site, not only a port, and catch threats while the traffic is still moving.
For a business, that means fewer ways in. A well-configured NGFW blocks unauthorised access, stops much of the malware before it reaches laptops and servers, and applies one set of policies across on-premises, cloud and hybrid networks. It can also flag unusual outbound transfers and give business traffic priority over less important use. The approach is the same whether the firewall protects one office or a network of branches, and the policies can grow as you add sites.
We help UAE businesses choose, set up and run a next-generation firewall. The platforms we work with include Fortinet FortiGate, Palo Alto Networks, Check Point and Sophos.
A firewall guards the network edge. For web applications, see our WAF service. For the wider picture, see network security. To find out whether the firewall holds up against a real attacker, ask about penetration testing.
A next-generation firewall does what a traditional firewall does, which is block or allow traffic by port and protocol, and then adds more. It can tell which application and which user the traffic belongs to, block known attacks with an intrusion prevention system (IPS), inspect encrypted traffic and use threat intelligence feeds.
A traditional firewall decides by IP address, port and protocol. An NGFW also looks at the application, the user and the content. That lets it block a risky app or a known exploit that a port-based rule would let straight through.
There is no single best choice. All four are established NGFW platforms. The right one depends on your traffic, the number of sites, the skills of your IT team, the tools you already run and your budget. We compare them against your requirements before we recommend one.
We size it on the throughput you need with the security features switched on, such as IPS and SSL inspection, not on the headline figure, which vendors quote with those features off. We also count users, VPN connections and sites. Send us your user count and internet bandwidth and we can suggest a model.
Yes. We review the existing rules, drop the ones that are no longer used, rebuild the policy on the new platform and test it before the cutover, so the network is not left unprotected at any point.
No. A firewall controls traffic across your network. A web application firewall (WAF) protects a specific web application from attacks such as SQL injection. Many businesses need both.
