What provides advanced traffic filtering using a single, optimized security engine?

The next-generation firewall (NGFW) is designed to provide advanced traffic filtering and security beyond the capabilities of traditional firewalls. It combines the features of a standard firewall with additional functionalities that can inspect more than just the basic header information of packets. NGFWs are equipped with an integrated security engine that performs deep packet inspection and can analyze application-layer traffic, allowing for enhanced visibility into network traffic.

This provides significant advantages in detecting and mitigating threats, unlike standard firewalls that primarily focus on basic rules and port filtering. NGFWs can filter traffic based on the content of the data being transmitted, including direct control over applications and the ability to identify and block specific applications regardless of the ports they use. This optimization leads to a more robust security posture that can actively engage with modern threats and sophisticated cyber attacks.

In contrast, standard firewalls mainly monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, while application firewalls focus specifically on improving security at the application layer. Network firewalls are broader solutions that can still miss nuanced analysis of traffic, which is where NGFWs excel.