What are Next-Generation Firewall Vendors?

Published on: April 20, 2022

.

14 min read

.

For German Version

Next-Generation Firewalls are security necessities that analyze communication at the network's entrance and outflow points, as well as provide Virtual Private Network and cryptographic features. Primarily, firewalls monitor traffic by state, port, and protocol, and rule how it flows through the network. Enhanced security protocols are often offered by additional equipment and services beyond the firewall architecture in a regular firewall.

Next-generation firewalls provide vast features of network security such as:

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Deep packet inspection is a sort of packet filtering used in networks. It examines the payload and header of a transmission as it passes through a Next-generation firewall inspection point, filtering out any policy violations, junk, malware, cyberattacks, and other set parameters in order to prevent the payload from continuing through the firewall.
• Integrated Intrusion Protection (IIP): Intrusion prevention systems keep an eye on networks for unusual activity and any weaknesses that might expose a company to intrusions. Organizations use them to secure critical corporate data and guarantee that their technology architecture functions properly. The Next-generation firewall provides integrated intrusion protection to the networking assets within the firewall.
• Web Filtering: Users' internet security is ensured by web filtering systems, which include the ability to regulate which web pages users can visit, what information they can browse, and which things they may download. A technology can, for instance, block people from accessing porn sites, filtering out web content with unlawful information, and regulating search terms to exclude unsuitable search suggestions. A next-generation firewall ensures the perfect web filtering protocols for the users.
• Antispam: Administrators' primary tool for providing powerful spam defenses at the network security interface is next-generation firewalls (NGFWs). They scan both incoming and outgoing traffic for unusual activity, for example, spam email and other signs of dangers, then take necessary measures to safeguard the system, using a range of methodologies. Anti-spam features in even more powerful NGFWs have been enhanced and adjusted to recognize and block both incoming and outgoing spam. Next-generation firewalls primarily defend against the following four spam categories:
  1. Verified spam
  2. Suspected spam
  3. Bulk spam
  4. Valid bulk email
• Anti-Malware: Anti-malware technology defends the system against malware such as adware, spyware, and viruses. It searches the machine for any dangerous program that has gained system access. Anti-malware technology is amongst the most effective methods for keeping the machine and personally identifiable information secure. Next-generation firewalls combine the powerful anti-malware technology within their features. So, malware protection comes with more advanced security measures within the NGFW.
• Application control: Application management, intrusion prevention, and URL filtering were added to NGFWs, resulting in a unified business framework. Companies may set firewall rules based on apps using application control. It provides application-layer security controls to manage web surfing, data transfer, email communication, and attachments while giving comprehensive access to network activity based on user identities and other information.

Considering the users' preferences there are plenty of next-generation firewall vendors around the network security arena. Here is a list of next-generation firewall vendors:

1. Zenarmor
2. Palo Alto Networks
3. Cisco
4. Check Point Software Technologies
5. Juniper
6. Sophos
7. SonicWall
8. Barracuda Networks
9. WatchGuard
10. Fortinet

Figure 1. Next-Generation Firewall Vendors

1. Zenarmor

The company was founded in 2017 by Murat Balaban as a software as a service (SaaS) provider for enterprise network security. The California-based network security company includes a number of network security products that assist businesses in maintaining packet visibility and protecting data.

The company offers Zenarmor®, the firewall for network security with zero latency for both home and enterprise networks. Its single-pass architecture ensures packet processing security. Moreover, it comes with a variety of pricing plans, starting from a $9.99/mo subscription for home networks.

Zenarmor highlights the product's ability to detect millions of communication channels and data aspects designed to check cybersecurity risks and suspicious or unpleasant traffic at home computers, including its ability to provide network virtualization and outlier visual analytics..

Moreover, the Zenarmor® firewall is for corporate network protection because it can grow with bigger implementations and provides corporation internet filtering technologies to assist organizations in deploying security mechanisms for identifying and preventing infections and other dangers.

Furthermore, the support for the customers as well as readers has a wide area of documentation, tutorials, and community forum.

2. Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. focuses on network security. Firewalls that detect and regulate programs, analyze information to avoid dangers, minimize data leaks, and provide integrated applications with content transparency are all available from the brand. Firewall systems, virtualized firewalls, and cybersecurity intelligence are among the company's offerings. The company, based in Santa Clara, California, was founded in 2005 by Nir Zuk and distributes its services all over the world.

Palo Alto Networks includes a plethora of Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions. The PA-220R (ruggedized), PA-3200 Series, and PA-5280 are recent products, with prices ranging from $2,900 to $200,000.

Security capabilities for layer 3 (network layer) to layer 7 (application layer) can be provided by end-to-end security systems based on the Palo Alto NGFW solutions. However, This technology can become overly intelligent and impose regulations by restricting legitimate traffic, which has a negative influence on productivity. These concerns must be reviewed by the engineering team.

With different security capabilities such as anti-theft, security vulnerabilities prevention, and Palo Alto work at layer 7, which is an extremely secure layer where application filtering is done through application signatures rather than ports.

With a constructed IPS that receives dynamic updates, Palo Alto NGFW can securely protect the business against threats. You can be assured against zero-day threats. URL monitoring allows people to access the internet safely and without fear of being hacked.

The dynamic address grouping feature is one of the most popular features among customers since it eliminates the time-consuming procedure of individually generating addresses.

The biggest feature that users complain about the Palo Alto NGFW is its startup speed; if indeed the power is switched out, restarting the process takes too long.

3. Cisco

Cisco Secure Firewall, previously known as Cisco Firepower NGFW is a security product that works with the rest of Cisco's security products. Sophisticated malware protection is included, as well as security testing settings and DDoS prevention. Cisco also provides the Intrusion Prevention System, which includes aspects such as local network segregation to maintain safety across virtualized environments. Physically, remotely, and via the internet, the firewall can be administered. The solution is adaptable to the size of the requirements and specifications.

Cisco was founded by two computer scientists Sandy Lerner, and Leonard Bosack on December 10, 1984, in San Francisco, California, United States. It is another networking company, that has continually developed to stay up with an ever-changing cybersecurity environment. With the takeover of SD-WAN company Embrane in 2015, the company expanded its layer 7 traffic security further. The Cisco Secure Firewall is available from 2021 and provides real-time task and network protection in simulated conditions. Its secure workload integration enables operators to safeguard dispersed and flexible programs over increasing networks in the computer and communication era.

For setting up Cisco as your next-generation firewall of the network, you may need to budget $2,000-15,000 for mid-range coverage.

In some cases, Cisco NGFW encountered some difficulty with some of its features. Overall, it is suitable for business and personal use.

4. Check Point Software Technologies

Check Point Software Technologies is a cybersecurity and next-generation firewall (NGFW) provider founded by Gil Shwed, an Israeli software engineer and entrepreneur in Ramat Gan, Israel in 1993. In addition to security monitoring, the company provides the solution for networking, device, web, and mobile. Check Point is a good next-generation firewall provider for what protection is required.

Inside the organization, it focuses on promoting security mechanisms at a more detailed level and with a simple administration once you understand how it works. Check Point not only does the pretty standard security but also supports antivirus software.

Its security testing services and Threat Cloud give real-time information that will help us stay safe from current concepts. Furthermore, its services always support end-user security, not just in terms of technology, but also in terms of social engineering.

The inability to conduct issue assessments or create troubleshooting for specific functionality due to a lack of documents. To take full advantage of Check Point, one must be well-versed in the software, study extensively, and acquire difficult-to-understand tactics. It is your most serious issue.

The price for Checkpoint's next-generation firewall starts at around $500 and can be increased to $60,000 depending on the features and requirements.

5. Juniper

Juniper Networks is a worldwide technology company based in Sunnyvale, California provides next-generation firewalls for network security. Pradeep Sindhu and Scott Kriens launched the company in 1996.

In the Juniper next-generation firewall, both Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) and Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) work together with Juniper to identify and guard against recognized and undiscovered vulnerabilities that use the network as an attack vector. The features offer quick protection against harmful attacks. Continuous scanning for new weaknesses and loopholes ensures that security is always up to date. Before any harm can be caused, the system prevents attacks on client-server systems in real-time.

The Internet is rife with deceit aimed at convincing unwary people to click on dangerous sites that may deploy complex spyware. Attackers frequently gain access to certain sites by deluding users into entering their login information. Juniper and Forcepoint have teamed up to continue providing URL filtering to combat such assaults. The service is regularly and internationally maintained to deliver an always-up-to-date worldwide system of harmful URLs that protects users from being hacked.

Every employee in an organization has to be able to utilize various programs to complete specific jobs. Allowing people unrestricted access to business assets from outside their area of influence, on the other hand, might encourage the spread of insider threats. By closely interacting with Microsoft Active Directory (AD), the firewall controls usage patterns on a per-user basis. As a consequence, users can see and regulate program and connection use based on user-defined permissions, allowing secure access to approved apps.

Because of how big of a system it is built to cover, one may occasionally want assistance from a professional. There are a number of possibilities that aren't readily apparent. These selections are often critical to the goal you're attempting to achieve. It will be easier if you have an expert around.

The popular next-generation firewall from Juniper is SRX Series Service Gateways which costs around $1000 with 8GE, 4G RAM, 8G Flash configuration.

6. Sophos

Under the Sophos Firewall Xstream framework, United Kingdom-based information security provider Sophos provides firewall technologies. Jan Hruska and Peter Lammer launched Sophos in 1985, and the company's initial virus protection and encryption solutions were released in 1986.

The XGS Series of firewalls addresses enterprises where they are to deliver current data security for Software as a Service, Software-Defined Wide Area Network, and internet traffic in incredibly complicated network elements. XGS Firewalls utilize worldwide threat intelligence to automate detection and prevention, identifying strange activities and limiting lateral displacement.

Next-generation firewall (NGFW) technologies from Sophos allow you to safeguard your system with a corporate firewall while also protecting the internet traffic. It defends businesses against current dangers like drive-by infections and malware attacks and uses our various VPN choices to safely link individuals and businesses. One will also receive thorough reports to assist you to understand what's going on and how to optimize the effectiveness and security of your network.

The network is protected by sophisticated packet filtering, [Network Address Translation (NAT), specific domain inspection, and network-based intrusion prevention system (IPS) technology. By just clicking a button, you'll be able to see threats aimed at your assets and prevent them. Furthermore, the IPS is a multithread intended to perform at max speed on the most recent CPUs.

Establishing client VPNs for remote teams is quite simple. It offers consumers a simple interface via which they can log in from any platform, including mobile phones and tablets. It also shattered the norm when it comes to communicating in remote workplaces. Sophos RED is a unit that can be plugged into any coworking space and does not need any setting on site. Connect it to the internet, activate it securely, and the distant site has complete UTM security right away.

Rules are simple to create, and thorough statistics are included as default, which may be saved locally without the need for additional software. Key web activities, such as sites visited and data utilized, are displayed in standard and configurable reports.

Pricing for Sophos firewall starts with $249/year for the entry-level XG 85 firewall and the highly-priced product from the company is XG 750 which costs around $60,000.

7. SonicWall

More than 1 million companies around 100 countries worldwide have deployed the company's NGFWs, according to the company information. SonicWall has solutions for small, medium, and big businesses. The vendor's solutions are well regarded, and the pricing is reasonable.

Application intelligence and administration, real-time monitoring, and WLAN administration are all key aspects of the next-generation firewall solution. SonicWall got high marks from users in almost every category, especially price, technology, administration capabilities, and support. The company's cloud services are the only aspect where it does not score good marks.

To identify and block threats, SonicWall NSA next-generation firewalls use the following technologies:

• Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)

• Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI)

• Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection (RFDPI) engine.

NGFWs from the vendor are offered as both physical and virtualized solutions. For equipment and one year of protection subscriptions, it goes from roughly $500 for a small company or regional location to around $80,000 for a major company's corporate headquarters.

8. Barracuda Networks

Barracuda Networks is another next-generation firewall vendor that uses network equipment and digital environments to provide its technologies. It was founded in 2003 by Dean Drako, Michael Perone, and Zach Levow.

Barracuda's focus is mainly on defending cloud-based systems such as:

• Amazon Web Service (AWS)

• Microsoft Azure

• Google Cloud

• VMware vCloud Air.

It also has significant OEM relationships with IBM and Trend Micro, among others. The Firewall F-Series is specially intended to defend against attacks on traditional equipment, as well as digital, mixed, and internet systems. Zero-day cyberattacks are included in this category. Layer 7 application control, antimalware, online blocking, spyware and advanced threat protection (ATP), anti-spam, and internet connectivity management are among the functions included. SD-WAN features are also included. In terms of security and performance, management and support, and cloud capabilities, Barracuda products received average marks from customers.

The company confronts zero-day malware vulnerabilities and sophisticated persistence attacks that frequently evade standard signature-based IPS and protection engines in today's continuously developing attack surface. Barracuda NGFW allows the security architecture to detect and stop new, complex attacks without slowing down network speed or capacity.

Barracuda Cloud Era Firewalls combine comprehensive next-generation security with today's modern secure SD-WAN topology control and administration capability. Absolute zero-touch deployment (ZTD), network resource monitoring, production transportation option, and application routing technologies are all characteristics of this.

The cheapest next-generation firewall from Barracuda Networks costs $681 including support, while the most expensive costs over $100,000.

9. WatchGuard

The company's one-of-a-kind approach to network protection aims at delivering the finest, corporation protection to any business, regardless of size or specialist knowledge. The company was founded in 1996 by Christopher Slatt in Seattle, Washington, United States.

Its network security systems are built from the bottom up to focus on ease of implementation, usage, and continuing maintenance, as well as offering the highest protection available. They are ideal for midrange and dispersed corporate enterprises.

Not only does WatchGuard provide the most comprehensive set of network security services on a specific application, but it also does it in the most flexible way possible, adjusting to changing and developing attack vectors quicker than competing solutions.

WatchGuard NGFWs are available for small, midrange, and big businesses, according to the security company, which has been providing solutions since 1996. In both desktop and development unit configurations, WatchGuard delivers a range of defenses, including an embedded firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention system, and VPN. Typically, users give the firm great marks. Several users praised the easy application and outstanding value, as well as the user-friendly Graphical User Interface.

Next-generation firewall from WatchGuard costs around $20,000 for United States customers. WatchGuard Firebox T35 is a popular next-generation firewall that starts from $1,900.00 pricing.

10. Fortinet

Fortinet provides the FortiGate NGFW as a network security compliance for the users to protect them from common vulnerabilities and cyber attacks. The company Fortinet was founded by two brothers Ken Xie and Michael Xie in 2000 in Sunnyvale, California, United States.

FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) are network firewalls that use intent security processing units (SPUs), such as the Network Processor 7 (NP7). They are appropriate network firewalls for multifunctional and hyper-scale network infrastructure because they offer access control connectivity.

By removing point products and integrating enterprise security features the firewall has become one of the popular firewalls in the cybersecurity arena. The firewall provides the following features to the users:

By removing point products and integrating enterprise security features the firewall has become one of the popular firewalls in the cybersecurity arena. The firewall provides the following features to the users:

• Secure sockets layer (SSL) inspection

• Web filtering,

• Intrusion prevention system (IPS)

Hardware modules for Fortinet's next-generation firewall start at roughly $500 and go up to $350,000 for large business solutions. Equipment and solutions can be bought in packages or separately. The cost for virtual machines and cloud services is comparable.

Who is the Best Next-Generation Firewall Vendor?

Most NGFW vendors today have the capacity to provide the users remote access to the company's network. However, people continue to perceive network security as an issue. From the earlier discussion, the Zenarmor® from Sunny Valley Cybersecurity Inc.(DBA Zenarmor) is the best in today's market. Here is why the Zenarmor® is the best:

• Price and performance: Cost and efficiency should be examined in addition to security considerations. Any provider offers a variety of versions with varying performance levels, as well as a variety of price ranges. Physical equipment, for instance, may have a significant purchase price with some small recurring payments, whereas many cloud firewalls are charged on an annual subscription basis. Zenarmor offers the firewall at reasonable pricing.
• Help and Support: Purchasing an NGFW is a large and technically challenging expenditure. One should indeed acquire support, but s/he should also find a provider with strong support recommendations. Vendors provide a variety of support services, such as simple phone help, on-site assistance, and management consulting.

To make operations easier, businesses may hire professionals to help them deploy, set up, optimize, and manage their NGFWs. For additional questions and information, the Support Center of Zenarmor helps the user the most.

How to Buy a Next-Generation Firewall?

Buying a next-generation firewall often gets harder for businesses when there are plenty of options available. Moreover, the range of requirements is not similar for all the users. Here is what to consider before buying a next-generation firewall.

Any physical or cloud NGFW must have a corporate infrastructure and OS environment. Several communication capabilities built into the operating system make a significant impact when assessing and selecting the upcoming NGFW. Here are several that must be taken into account in business implementations:

• Management: Among the most essential issues is the organization administration of NGFWs. Installation of NGFWs, as well as accessibility for day-to-day management from a specific platform, are involved. From a centralized location, this dashboard should be able to handle the majority, if not all, security protocols across various NGFW endpoints.

• Technology and Deployment: It's crucial to think about the kind of technological connections that the NGFW can handle. It helps businesses to safeguard their current investments. The three primary configurations of NGFW are depending on the requirement:

  • Physical
  • Virtual
  • Cloud

Businesses are often keen to incorporate new technology, such as cloud technology, worker flexibility, and analytics, whenever it comes to addressing business difficulties. However, numerous businesses are now changing as they embark on their digital ecosystem, such as an increasing number of smart devices, a lot of strong encryption, network capacity requirements, continuously changing deflective threats, as well as steadily increasing operational expenses.