What is a Next-Generation Firewall?
A next-generation firewall is an enhanced version of traditional firewalls, offering expanded functionalities to address a broader range of security threats. While the definition varies among vendors and is not always clear, in 2009, the U.S.-based Gartner defined it as requiring application-level visibility and control, making it generally understood as firewalls equipped to handle application-level security.
Traditional firewalls protected internal networks by blocking packets based on IP addresses and port numbers. However, web applications typically communicate via port 80, which cannot simply be blocked. Additionally, relying on IP-based control is insufficient against attacks originating from a wide range of proxy platforms. To address these challenges, next-generation firewalls were developed.
Next-generation firewalls are designed to provide visibility into applications, users, and content, capturing logs and taking actions such as blocking or redirecting communication when necessary.