Top 7 Next Generation Firewall Solutions For Dallas Businesses
Internet traffic volumes are tripling, and corporate networks are growing substantially every year. At the same time, cybersecurity threats and attacks are becoming more sophisticated and have entered another generation of cyberattacks, which includes the emergence of state-sponsored attacks and Malware- as-a-Service ( MaaS).
In 2021, we saw high-profile ransomware attacks like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, the Microsoft Exchange ransomware attack, and the Kaseya ransomware attack. Cyberattacks are among the top threats to global economic development. The frequency and cost of data breaches also continue to climb.
According to the latest data breach report by IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million. The highest country average is the United States at $9.05 million per incident. Once again, the highest industry average is healthcare with a reported $9.23 million average data breach cost.
According to the report, the time to identify and contain a data breach was 287 days (212 to detect, 75 to contain). How will Next-Generation Firewall solutions address this generation of cyber-attacks and traffic growth as more demand is added to systems?
What Is a Next-Generation Firewall?
Before we go any further, it's important that you have an understanding of what we mean by a next-generation firewall. Firewalls have been around since the 1980s, and have been in place in some corporate networks for decades. However, these legacy firewalls aren't the same as today's Next-Generation Firewall solutions.
Next-Generation Firewall solutions provide capabilities beyond a traditional firewall. These solutions build upon the capabilities of older technology and include systems and processes, such as application control, intrusion prevention, and cloud-delivered threat intelligence. Next-generation firewalls also combine the capabilities of traditional firewalls, including packet filtering, network address translation (NAT), URL blocking, and protection for Virtual Private Networks (VPN).
Benefits of Next-Gen Firewalls
Like first-generation firewalls, Next-Generation Firewalls bring additional context to the firewall's decision-making process by providing it with the ability to understand the details of the web application traffic passing through it, check for exploitable vulnerabilities, and take action to block traffic that might expose those vulnerabilities.
What does this mean for your Dallas business? Having a Next-Generation Firewall solution in place for your business operations leads to added protection and security, and it enables your Dallas business to have better control and visibility into network activity.
IT administrators configure NGFWs to specific system requirements to make sure that your mission-critical data does not become vulnerable. Once your business has implemented an NGFW, the solution will oversee your firewall tools to ensure security. NGFWs can be deployed seamlessly whether the networks are on-premises, hybrid, public cloud, or private cloud.
A few key benefits of NGFWs include:
- Creating virtual barriers that protect your network from attacks.
- Notifying IT managers when an unauthorized user attempts to access your system.
- Enforcing security and authentication rules.
- Automating testing and monitoring tasks.
What Should Dallas Businesses Look For in a Next-Generation Firewall Solution?
Now that you understand the importance of a Next-Generation Firewall Solution, it's essential to know what to look for with this technology and what key players in the Next-Generation Firewall market can provide your business with the level of protection it needs. Dallas business leaders must find an NGFW vendor that offers
- A solution that has features that are closely connected and work with each other, communicate across technology, and that there is no overlapping
- A solution that can easily integrate with your other protection technologies
- A solution that reduces complexity and does not add to it
- A solution that automates specific tasks
- A solution that is highly scalable and can accommodate your business's current and future needs
Next-Generation Firewall Vendor Overview
To meet the current and future needs of your Dallas business, you need an NGFW solution that will provide full visibility across applications, hosts, and the network. Your business also needs a solution that will fully address emerging threats, quickly identify those threats, and deliver the powerful controls businesses need to combat sophisticated threats and attacks.
The solution must do all of this without adding any challenges. The capabilities of a Next-Generation Firewall solution are crucial for enabling continuous protection before, during, and after an attack. Let's take a look at the top 7 service providers in the NGFW sphere.
- Cisco Systems
- Check Point Software Technologies
- Fortinet
- Juniper Networks
- Palo Alto Networks
- SonicWall
- Sophos
Cisco Systems
While Cisco is well-known for its routers and switches, Cisco also has a strong security focus. Cisco NGFW solutions provide comprehensive protection from known and advanced threats by simplifying security management, improving productivity, containing costs, and improving collaboration and mobility within your organization's network.
Check Point Software Technologies
Check Point Software Technologies' enterprise network security solutions provide a comprehensive security architecture. Check Point provides businesses of all sizes with the latest data and network security protection in an integrated next-generation firewall platform.
Fortinet
Fortinet helps businesses increase their firewall security with advanced solutions like Intrusion Prevention and Anti-Malware. Fortinet NGFW offers flexibility and scalability for network security, helping your business manage and deploy various security components. Fortinet prioritizes user experience, tailoring a firewall solution that meets your network security demands.
Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is on a mission to solve some of the most difficult problems in networking technology. Through its NGFW solutions, Juniper Networks hopes to bring simplicity to networking. Its NGFW solutions deliver a next-generation security solution that supports the growing needs of cloud-enabled enterprise networks.
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks offers an NGFW solution that is easy to deploy, and with its scalability and isolation capabilities, the solution can safeguard your business's most critical systems. The NGFW solution protects networks against advanced threats in real-time, with complete control and traffic visibility.
SonicWall
SonicWall Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) give businesses and organizations the security and power that is needed to keep up with current and future generations of cyber threats without impeding network performance. These solutions can be deployed on-premise or as virtual hardware.
Sophos
Sophos offers one of the leading firewall solutions. This NGFW actively protects businesses from the latest threats with services such as deep packet inspection and intrusion prevention. Sophos aims to deliver a firewall solution that is not only fast and effective but supported by the latest standards.
Let DataEcon Help Fulfill Your Unique Security Needs
It's important that Dallas business leaders know what to look for when considering integrating an NGFW. You must ensure the solution meets all of your requirements, as well as any additional needs you anticipate.
At DataEcon, our aim is to provide the best solutions and services that match our clients' unique requirements. This drives us to provide our clients with a roadmap that they can use to drive business growth. Let us help you find the right technology that will provide your business with unmatched visibility and control, enabling you to keep up with the rapid pace of today's threat environment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
