Criteria for selecting firewalls
Networking is crucial for organizations and individuals while ensuring better performance and security. Therefore, it is essential to maintain or use tools that can offer protection from cyber threats and bullying. Firewall is one of the devices that are used for security purposes. It monitors and filters internal and external network traffic depending on set security policies. It establishes a barrier between internal network and incoming traffic from external sources. It can further protect malicious software from infecting users’ computer. Businesses need firewall to prevent data theft and deter criminals holding systems hostages.
Firewalls have been in existence since 1980’s and have been under development in every generation. Gen 1 Virus, it attacked virus on stand -alone PC’s affecting jobs. It further significantly brought anti-virus products. On the other hand, Gen 2 networks affected businesses but drove to the creation of firewalls. In early 2000’s, vulnerability in applications was exploited by Gen 3 Applications that led to Intrusion Prevention Systems Products (IPS). In the era of 2010, many businesses had emerged and majority using technology (Akturk & Cubukcu, 2021). The increased use of technology led to creation of Gen 4 Payload which led to the existence of anti-bot and sandboxing products. It didn’t take long that Gen 5 Mega emerged in 2017 that used advance attack tools thus the need for threat prevention solutions. Threat prevention is one of the firewall functions among others such as hybrid cloud support, scalable performance and application and identity-based control.
Types of firewalls
A firewall can either be a software or a hardware. However, it’s advisable for businesses to posses both. The software type, is a program installed in a computer to regulate traffic through port numbers and applications. Hardware is an equipment installed between users’ network and gateway and its physical. In addition, cloud -based firewall is another category which takes firewall as a service and beneficial as they can grow with the organization ( Shin, et.al, 2016). Firewalls are different based on their structure and functionality and the following are some that can be used depending on size of network and security needed.
Packet-filtering firewalls
It’s a management program that can block network traffic IP protocol and it’s the most commonly used firewall. It examines packets and prohibits them from passing through if a mismatch arises from the set security rules (Schultz, 2021). They are in two categories: stateful and stateless. The later examines packets independently of one another lacking context. Stateful firewalls remembers information about previously passed packets and are more secure. The above type of firewall is not reliable for it provides basic protection that is very limited.
Proxy service firewall
A system that offers network security by filtering messages at the application layer. It acts as an intermediary between two end systems thus serving as a gateway between internal network and outside servers on the web. It monitors traffic for layer 7 protocols such as HTTP and FTP. It is more secure through the use of both stateful and deep packet inspection to detect malicious traffic.
Next-generation firewalls
They are more sophisticated combining traditional technology with additional functionality such as encrypted traffic inspection. It includes deep packet inspection that examines the data within the packet itself (Jingyao, et.al, 2019). The firewalls are able to block more evolving security threats like malware.
Stateless and stateful firewalls
These firewalls have standards firewall capabilities that keeps track of established connections while examining the entire packet for passage (Avolio, 2011). It does so to determine the state of communication and ensure that all initiated communication taking place with trusted sources.
The firewall allows multiple devices with independent network address to connect to the internet (Rathod & Deshmukh, 2013). It does so use single IP address and keeping it hidden. It provides great security against attacks as it acts as an intermediary between group of computers and outside traffic.
Platform type
Firewalls are majorly categorized into three: hardware, software and cloud-based. Hardware-based next generation firewalls have appealed best to mid-size business. Software is for small and cloud-based recommended for decentralized sites where the skills set to manage them are re-allocated (Cubukcu, et.al, 2021).
Performance
Despite the increased performance of the NGFW over the years, buyers still need to consider performance in relation to security features (Sheth & Thakker, 2011). It depends with the models of the firewalls they choose.
Manageability
System configuration requirements and usability of the management console are key in this criterion. There are three key qualities under system configuration changes (Amrollahi, et.al, 2020). Comprehensive, it should cover an array of feature precluding augmentation need by other point platforms. Accessibility, the individual feature dashboard and reporting should be intuitive and incisive. It should also have the possibility to exclude unnecessary features in the enterprise environment.
Price
Companies should pay close attention on product offerings. It allows them determine features suitable best for their enterprise. Pricing should be used to determine the total cost of operation of a firewall.
Support
Timely and accurate support is essential. This criterion for a NGFWs include responsiveness which is ranked by the type of service request. Accuracy, quality of the service response and currency of the product update are considered.
Feature set
Enterprises should be keen with the firewall bought to ensure that the level of protection required in each security area is met.
The ASA stands for edge protection capability and low barrier of entry. Its an impressive threat management solution using the integrated IPS, VPN and unified communication capabilities. It offers scalability and has a lower maintenance.
FortiGate firewall
It has added features such as intrusion prevention and web filtering that are added to the core network firewall. It offers protection from malware and ransomware using the intrusion detector server that is well suited to data center operations and cloud-based architecture (Nguyen, et.al, 2013). It less expensive compared to other firewalls.
Palo Alto Networks
It specializes on multi-layer firewall protection and offers a range of additional features that justify the cost to those needing extra capabilities. It has the ability to filter, log and gain visibility to network.
Cisco Meraki MX
It stands out for remote connectivity and management. It is easy to configure on the front-end thus essential while configuring network and firewalls across multiple locations. It also makes it easy to administer remote on the platform.
Scalar Internet Access
It offers high performance security solutions and does not focus on connection locations. Network monitoring and DNS protection are raised by its users.
Sonic Wall NSA
Application layer firewalls
It has a larger capacity server for more internet connections. For organizations with more data, it ensures protection using its higher packet capabilities. Its storage and physical mounting features are increased in size. It is simple to install and maintain and has higher data loss prevention capacity.
Sonic wall TZ
Greatly used by professionals with prior knowledge in implementing and managing business firewalls. Its bandwidth management and application control help to manage internet focuses resources. It also offers UTM and NGFW features such as VPN connectivity( Stewart, 2013). Its graphical interface has contributed to the firewall use and accessibility.
Cisco Meraki MX
It provides centralized firewall protection for networks that connect multiple data centers. The Meraki line has shown its administrative friendliness and ease of deployment. It is easy to install and maintain.
pfsense- The Open-Source Option
its free and unique offering the software itself. The firewall has feature that act as a traffic router and as a firewall. It is accessible and user friendly.
WatchGuard Network Security- The Option for MSPs
Watchguard fireboxes are easy to manage and thus its customizable configuration allows to adapt services to client without creating ecosystem for security specialist. It has greater flexibility.
Its an advanced system and offers protection from possible intrusion such as malware and ransomware. It has simplicity feature while installing and offers enterprise-grade security mechanisms. It cheap and therefore affordable to small businesses.
It combines high performance with reliable security thus providing comprehensive and detailed information about the network with no additional tools’ requirement. Its cost effective as it purchased competitively with no add-ons. It can manage multiple sites thus effective to enterprises with branches.
It’s a solution designed to handle fast internet speeds. Ethernet power is used thus requiring no separate cables are required (Kaur, et.al,2014). It supports core automation to improve employee productivity. The firewall further has additional features that enhance network security.
The firewall can support up to 50 users and its easy to deploy and manage. It has advanced malware protection and intrusion prevention systems. They ensure provision of enterprise grade security.
It uses an innovative approach to identify hidden threats. The approach is also useful in blocking known and unknown threats from entering user’s network. It has zero-touch deployment thus saving on time, effort and resources.
The practice has led to increased use of firewall as a service resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to many people working from home increasing their cloud adoption for work flows and apps (Chen, et.al, 2018). Since network is being used, it can result to cyber security or home security threats. Therefore, firewalls are important in this case to protect organizations network regardless of the user’s location.
Increased use of software
Networking greatly calls for cloud adoption. Through the practice, the urge for software-based solutions has grown. The solutions are offered as a service model. Changes make it easy to consume security solutions (Reddy, 2014). For example, FWaaS and other networks.
Siloed challenges
Firewalls are easy to use and their scalability are also high. Thus, evaluating different FWaaS solutions should fit the design of both cloud and mobile networks. It makes the solutions compatible with the global network points to connect the closest data center to their physical location (Hayajneh, et.al, 2013). It offers a unified management console that controls network with security policies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, its important for enterprises to pay attention on the range of security needed for the business before purchasing a firewall. With the above information, its essential to research the preferred firewall for your business depending on various criterion.
I would recommend anyone looking for firewall to use at home or at work to do thorough research on the types, features and functions of different firewalls. It will help one understand the appropriate firewall for their need depending on usage and the security network required.
References
Avolio, F. (2011). Firewalls and Internet Security-The Internet Protocol Journal-Volume 2, No 2.
Akturk, C., & Cubukcu, C. (2021). A Decision-Making Model Proposal for Firewall Selection. KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS), 15(10), 3588-3607.
Amrollahi, M., Hadayeghparast, S., Karimipour, H., Derakhshan, F., & Srivastava, G. (2020). Enhancing network security via machine learning: opportunities and challenges. Handbook of big data privacy, 165-189.
Chen, H., Cho, J. H., & Xu, S. (2018, April). Quantifying the security effectiveness of firewalls and dmzs. In Proceedings of the 5th Annual Symposium and Bootcamp on Hot Topics in the Science of Security (pp. 1-11).
Cubukcu, Ceren, and Cem Cantekin. “Using a Fuzzy-AHP Decision Model for Selecting the Best Firewall Alternative.” International Conference on Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems. Springer, Cham, 2021.
Hayajneh, T., Mohd, B. J., Itradat, A., & Quttoum, A. N. (2013). Performance and information security evaluation with firewalls. International Journal of Security and Its Applications, 7(6), 355-372.
Jingyao, S., Chandel, S., Yunnan, Y., Jingji, Z., & Zhipeng, Z. (2019, March). Securing a Network: How Effective Using Firewalls and VPNs Are?. In Future of Information and Communication Conference (pp. 1050-1068). Springer, Cham.
Kaur, T., Malhotra, V., & Singh, D. (2014). Comparison of network security tools-firewall intrusion detection system and Honeypot. International Journal of Enhanced Research in Science Technology & Engineering, 3(2), 201-202.
Nguyen, H. T., Torrano-Gimenez, C., Alvarez, G., Franke, K., & Petrovi?, S. (2013). Enhancing the effectiveness of web application firewalls by generic feature selection. Logic Journal of IGPL, 21(4), 560-570.
Rathod, R. H., & Deshmukh, V. M. (2013). Roll of distributed firewalls in local network for data Security. International Journal Of Computer Science And Applications, 6(2).
Reddy, G. N., & Reddy, G. J. (2014). A study of cyber security challenges and its emerging trends on latest technologies. arXiv preprint arXiv:1402.1842.
Schultz, E. E. (2021). 83-10-41 Types of Firewalls. Internet: https://www. ittoday. info/AIMS/DSM/83-10-41. pdf,[Nov. 5, 2014].
Sheth, C., & Thakker, R. (2011, February). Performance evaluation and comparative analysis of network firewalls. In 2011 International Conference on Devices and Communications (ICDeCom) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
Shin, S., Xu, L., Hong, S., & Gu, G. (2016, August). Enhancing network security through software defined networking (SDN). In 2016 25th international conference on computer communication and networks (ICCCN) (pp. 1-9). IEEE.
Stewart, J. M. (2013). Network Security, Firewalls and VPNs. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
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