In recent years, many smarter solutions, tools, and alternatives have been developed in the technology field, allowing businesses of all types to optimize their processes and standards. However, this digital transformation has also increased security vulnerabilities , making the tools used obsolete. It was in this context that the NGFW – Next Generation Firewall – was developed.
Due to its modernity and functionality, it has become one of the most important tools when it comes to information security within companies. Several factors contributed to the increased need for more efficient resources, such as:
- The advancement of cloud technology ;
- The growth of remote work;
- Network traffic;
- The emergence of new scams and threats;
- Between others.
While resources and tools bring more intelligence to tasks, they also provide cybercriminals with more vulnerabilities and opportunities to carry out cyberattacks. For this reason, relying on NGFW (Network for Guaranteed Information) can provide greater security and protection for the information that is stored , handled, and transmitted by companies.
The advent of the General Data Protection Law – LGPD, has also demonstrated how the protection and confidentiality of certain data must be a priority for companies. As many businesses handle sensitive data from customers, suppliers, and partners, it is essential to have all the security tools that help protect this data .
But how can NGFW be applied to your business? First, we need to understand how it works in practice.
What is NGFW?
Also known as a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), it is a tool developed for protection against and resolution of cyber threats, from the simplest to the most complex. Operating at the application level and with the help of optimized security features , the NGFW can perform a huge number of tasks, such as:
- Packet filtering;
- State inspections;
- Traffic monitoring;
- Among other functions.
Below are the main advantages of this tool:
Packet filtering
One of the biggest advantages is that this feature can filter packets up to the seventh layer, making it an even more efficient tool than previous technologies that only operated up to the fourth layer. The main features of NGFW ensure greater security and contribute to data protection, since it has a deep packet inspection system to perform efficient filtering. Packet filtering is one of the most widely used types of firewalls in the world . Understand the differences between the types of firewalls:
Intrusion Prevention System
By continuously monitoring network traffic , this feature can identify potential malware and malicious resources , enabling it to block them. This keeps company devices and resources safer and more protected against the main threats present in today's digital landscape.
Continuous intelligence updates against key threats
NGFW is a tool that keeps up-to-date with the need for protection and prevention against intrusion and control of applications. It allows the blocking of traffic based on the resources and applications of the target . Due to its advanced technology, NGFW is a tool that offers many benefits to companies, and in the face of the increasing cyber threats, it can be a valuable ally.
Multilayer protection
This tool utilizes multiple layers of protection to ensure security against major cyber threats , such as packet filtering, content analysis, policy-based identity, and others. In this way, it provides greater scope for the tool and helps the company remain secure at all times.
Ability to implement role-based access
With the help of NGFW, managers can implement distinct security policies based on a user's role, position, or access level. By performing identity-based authentication and integrating it with the user management and authentication system , it can confirm the user's identity and access level. This allows for intelligent and effective access management
Integrated prevention against invaders
We know that cyber threats evolve daily, making it necessary to find resources and tools that keep pace with this evolution and provide greater protection for the company. In this sense, NGFW is a complete tool for today's businesses . Using integrated technologies, it can execute suspicious code in a neutral and isolated environment.
Monitoring for threat detection
NGFW can also be integrated with intrusion prevention systems to block potential threats before they cause any damage. One of the tool's most interesting features is its ability to consult IP reputation sources, allowing users to assess whether IP addresses in traffic are malicious.
Using intelligence for threat detection
This means that the NGFW uses intelligence-based access to known threat information to optimize its operation and ensure that its threat detection capability is complete and efficient. To do this , it utilizes information on both established and emerging threats in the sector, and based on this proactive approach, increases its protection capacity.
How can this tool help your company?
As we have seen, NGFW is a comprehensive resource that can guarantee many advantages for the business. For companies, one of its main benefits is its ability to enable the use of internet applications more securely. This provides greater user productivity by blocking unwanted resources and applications.
By performing deep packet inspection, NGFW identifies and controls applications, regardless of their origin. Previous firewalls had security policies that blocked incoming connections and allowed outgoing connections . Although some limits could be applied to the firewall policy, as a rule, outgoing web traffic was allowed.
Because of this characteristic, many applications have started using the available open ports to provide greater accessibility and experience for users. NGFW, being a next-generation resource, can provide consolidated data on all applications being used by users , allowing for more assertive control.
NGFW is a tool that incorporates the best features of firewalls, antivirus software, and other security solutions, making it an efficient and intelligent solution for companies that want to increase their security. This type of resource is essential, especially in a scenario where there are increasingly more cyber threats targeting data, networks, clouds, and more.
I hope there are no remaining doubts about this tool and the importance of using robust internet protection for your company.
Until later!
