There is an entertaining commercial running on television that features the “Holdover” family. This family is happily “set in their ways” and unwilling to change with the times. They still embrace wood paneling, TV antennas, newspapers, magazines, VHS tapes, corded landline rotary phones, and the like while being averse to any changes that might make their life better. The Holdovers even make fun of the neighbors calling them “Suckers” always falling for the latest technology advancements. Do we sometimes have a similar outlook when it comes to our organization’s cyber security? Are we reluctant to update or change?
According to Cisco and other manufacturers, a traditional firewall allows or blocks traffic based on state, port, and protocol, and filters traffic based on administrator-defined rules. A next-generation firewall (NGFW) does this, and more.
Embracing a managed next-generation firewall (NGFW) offers companies a forward-looking solution to bolster their overall cybersecurity strategy. Unlike traditional firewalls, NGFWs provide advanced features that cater to the evolving threat landscape which ensures wide-ranging protection and efficient network management.
The primary appeal of a managed NGFW lies in its ability to go beyond the limitations of conventional firewalls. At a minimum, these benefits should include:
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS):
By incorporating IPS capabilities, NGFWs can proactively identify and thwart intrusion attempts. This added layer of security detects, and blocks known and emerging threats, reducing the risk of successful breaches.
Advanced Threat Detection:
Managed NGFWs leverage sophisticated threat intelligence to identify malware, zero-day vulnerabilities, and other advanced threats. By employing signature-based and behavioral analysis techniques, they detect and neutralize threats that conventional firewalls might miss.
Protection Against Application-Layer Attacks:
Application-layer attacks target vulnerabilities within specific software applications or services, aiming to exploit weaknesses and gain unauthorized access. These attacks can lead to data breaches, disruption of services, and compromise sensitive information. NGFWs offer deep inspection capabilities that identify and thwart application-layer attacks by analyzing incoming traffic.
URL Filtering:
The internet is both a treasure trove of information and a potential source of threats. URL filtering is an essential feature of NGFWs as it allows control and manages web access based on predefined policies. Companies can prevent employees from accessing malicious or inappropriate content by categorizing and blocking or allowing specific website categories. This capability is significant as it helps reduce the risk of malware infections, phishing attacks, and productivity losses. URL filtering empowers organizations to enforce acceptable use policies, maintain compliance, and safeguard their networks from external threats.
Geo-Blocking:
Geo-blocking, or restricting network access based on geographic location, is increasingly crucial in a globalized business landscape. This feature enables companies to prevent traffic from specific countries or regions that might be associated with high cybercrime rates or unauthorized access attempts. Geo-blocking is relevant to companies of all sizes as cybercriminals often target organizations regardless of their scale. By implementing geo-blocking, businesses can reduce exposure to cyber threats originating from specific regions, enhancing their overall cybersecurity posture.
Unlike the fictional Holdover family, it has never been more prudent to “Rethink Connected” and embrace the latest cyber defense technology. Opting for a managed NGFW empowers companies with a dynamic cybersecurity solution that adapts to the ever-changing digital landscape.
The integration of cutting-edge features such as IPS, Advanced Threat Detection, URL Filtering, and Geo-Blocking found in NGFWs has never been more essential for any organization. These features mutually fortify network security, mitigate risks associated with cyber threats, and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical business operations. By adopting NGFWs with these capabilities, companies can proactively safeguard their digital assets and navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape.
Learn more about 11:11 Systems managed security solutions:
11:11 Systems now offers a new Managed Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) service that includes all these technical advancements mentioned. If you are looking for an NGFW that delivers enhanced protection against modern-day cyber threats like malware and application layer attacks look no further than 11:11 Systems.
11:11’s Managed NGFW — Cisco solution provides the resources, processes, and technology to strengthen the security of any organization. Our solution is backed by a 24x7x365 team of SOC experts that manage alerts and events making it ideal for companies that require enhanced edge firewall security to protect against modern-day threats, and who don’t have the in-house expertise or resources.
To be better prepared for any cyber threat please also check out our comprehensive Managed Detection and Response (MDR) offer and the rest of our Managed Security Services portfolio.
