The complexity of modern cyberattacks and advanced hacking methodologies are driving enterprises to look to next-generation firewalls for better security. New web-based malware and intrusion attempts bypass perimeter protections to exploit applications.

That led to the evolution of next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) with advanced technologies that promised deeper inspection capabilities and better control over individual applications in a network.

NGFWs include the typical functions of traditional firewalls such as packet filtering, network- and port-address translation (NAT), stateful inspection, and virtual private network (VPN) support.^[The goal of next-generation firewalls is to include more layers of the OSI model, improving filtering of network traffic that is dependent on the packet contents.

Protection based on ports, protocols, IP addresses is no more reliable and viable. This has led to the development of identity-based security approach, which takes organizations a step ahead of conventional security appliances which bind security to IP-addresses.

In addition to all the functionalities of traditional firewalls, next-generation firewalls also include :

• Integrated intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion protection systems (IPS) that detect attacks based on traffic behavioral analysis, threat signatures or anomalous activity.
• Monitoring  traffic from layer 2 through layer 7 with Application awareness technology that  enables companies to set policies depending on the user and the application.

NGFWs offer administrators a deeper awareness of and control over individual applications, along with deeper inspection capabilities by the firewall. Administrators can create very granular “allow/deny” rules for controlling use of websites and applications in the network.

• NGFWs provide integrated antivirus, spam filtering, deep-packet inspection, and application control using only one device or console. No extra devices are required .

The web is central to the way we work, live, and play – and therefore it is also a focal point for cybercrime. Organizations are targeted more than ever today, and the volume, diversity, and sophistication of web-based threats are at all-time highs.

85% of malicious links used in web or email attacks were located on compromised legitimate websites .

The unmonitored browsing creates unique challenges while exposing your company’s network to significant risk. Failure in outbound security—whether it’s a direct financial impact from data loss or the liability or loss of employee productivity due to inappropriate use of the Internet—can be very costly to the enterprise.

Secure Web gateway solutions protect Web-surfing PCs from infection and enforce company policies. A secure Web gateway is a solution that filters unwanted software/malware from user-initiated Web/Internet traffic and enforces corporate and regulatory policy compliance.

The next-generation Secure Web Gateway gives enterprises the tools they need to apply security in dynamic cloud and mobile environments. The high-performance solution allows granular policy enforcement on business use, personal use and protection from outside threats as well as risky employee behavior. The next-generation Secure  Web Gateway was designed from the ground up to address the growth of media-rich, high-bandwidth social web content, providing comprehensive protection with no discernible latency or switching complexity, and does not require any off-box software or additional servers on your network.

Between 75% and 90% of targeted cyber-attacks start with an email. Email-borne attacks interrupt business operations, cause financial damage, and compromise business integrity. Barracuda protects you by extending traditional email security with a multi-faceted approach that protects all aspects of your email infrastructure.

Modern email attacks have evolved beyond volumetric spam and phishing campaigns to zero-day threats like ransomware and business fraud.

As email-borne attacks have become more prevalent and sophisticated, traditional email security gateways can no longer protect users and data. Many threats, such as spear phishing attacks or emails directed at users via their personal email, bypass gateways.

While a secure gateway is still necessary, complete email protection also requires a multi-layered defense that stops advanced attacks and protects email data .

As cyberattacks evolve, network security requires unparalleled visibility and intelligence covering all threats for comprehensive protection.

The Next-Generation Intrusion Prevention System (NGIPS) provides comprehensive threat protection that blocks intrusions, prevents breaches, and safeguards your valuable assets. NGIPS uses an innovative, multi-layer approach to identifying and addressing known, zero-day, and advanced persistent threats to protect you from malware, worms, spyware, back-door Trojans, data leakage, brute force cracking, protocol attacks, scanning/probing, web threats, and more. This approach combines signature and behavior-based detection, protocol and traffic anomaly detection, correlation analysis, deep packet inspection, and the latest threat intelligence to detect malicious sites and botnets.