5 Top Next-Generation Firewall Software

Next-generation firewall (NGFW) software is offered by many cybersecurity vendors with context-aware network security features for threat detection and prevention, traffic analysis, and policy management. 

See below to learn all about the top NGFW providers in the market:

1. Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks NGFW is designed to provide full visibility and control over all networks through threat intelligence technologies, traffic identification, and malware prevention. 

Palo Alto Networks’ NGFW solution provides software and hardware as a complete setup. It is a multilayered network security firewall with various applications: securing any cloud; automating security operations; stopping zero-day threats; securing hybrid workforces; and responding faster with threat intelligence and security consulting.

Palo Alto Networks NGFW has several key features, including malware detection and prevention, secure application enablement, domain name system (DNS) security, panorama security management, and threat intelligence.

Users at Gartner Peer Insights rate Palo Alto Networks Next Generation Firewall at 4.6 out of 5, with 89% willing to recommend it, and users at Featured Customers rate Palo Alto Networks at 4.7 out of 5. Palo Alto Networks was also honored with an eSecurity Planet “Best Firewalls” award in 2022.

Differentiators

• Integrates well with internal features
• Predictive performance and SSL inspection
• Works for high availability environments and real-time protections

See more: Why a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is Important

2. Fortinet

Fortinet FortiGate NGFW helps companies build scalable network-level security. 

FortiGate provides improved visibility and multilayered advanced security. It allows companies  to protect their systems against any cyberattacks while also reducing complexity. FortiGate is reportedly easy to use, and users can directly configure security policy from the console.

Fortinet FortiGate NGFW offers FortiGuard security services, natively integrated proxy, hyperscale security, security fabric integration, and automation-driven network management.

Users at Gartner Peer Insights rate Fortinet FortiGate at 4.6 out of 5, with 88% willing to recommend it, and users at G2 rate FortiGate at 4.7 out of 5. Fortinet FortiGate also achieved an eSecurity Planet “Top Firewalls” award in 2022.

Differentiators

• Features a simple and intuitive user interface
• Stitching of security fabric and automation of various tasks
• Cost-effective and Fortinet advanced threat protection and intelligence

3. Check Point Quantum

Check Point Quantum is designed to deliver hardware-powered network security against sophisticated cyberattacks. 

Check Point Quantum delivers scalable and unified protection to networks, data centers, endpoints, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in real-time. Quantum combines several techniques and technologies, including SandBlast threat prevention, unified management platform, hyperscale networking, remote access VPN, and IoT security to protect against Gen V cyberattacks.

Check Point Quantum threat emulation and extraction protects against zero-day threats. The solution also offers application control features that allow restrictions to application traffic, and Office mode VPN delivers a connected experience for remotely connected individuals.

Users at Gartner Peer Insights rate Check Point Quantum at 4.5 out of 5, with 83% willing to recommend it, and users at G2 rate Check Point Next Generation Firewalls at 4.5 out of 5. Check Point Quantum was also honored with an eSecurity Planet “Top Firewalls” award in 2022.

Differentiators

• URL filtering and malicious domain blocking
• Out-of-the-box reports
• Technical assistance center (TAC) support from Check Point

See more: How Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) are Used by Softworx, PenChecks Trust, Flex, CNA, and Blackstone: Case Studies

4. Sophos

Sophos Firewall is a NGFW that delivers protection against the latest cybersecurity threats, powered by threat intelligence and machine learning (ML). 

Sophos’s next-generation firewall supplies the real-time security and insights on the network. It exposes hidden threat risks and applications that protect the network from ransomware and advanced threats. With the Security Heartbeat feature, the firewall can respond automatically to security incidents by isolating compromised systems.

Sophos offers a complete firewall solution with various features: Sophos Central Management; deep packet inspection; encrypted traffic; cloud sandbox; synchronized security; advanced threat protection; site-to-site VPN; remote access VPN; and central software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) orchestration.

Users at Gartner Peer Insights rate Sophos Firewall at 4.7 out of 5, with 89% willing to recommend it, and users at G2 rate Sophos Firewall at 4.4 out of 5. Sophos also won Cybersecurity Company of the Year, by editor’s choice, at the Cyber Defense Global InfoSec Awards for 2022.

Differentiators

• Easy-to-use interface for setting up rules, virtual local area networks (VLANs)
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized access to infrastructure
• The cost of the units is reasonable

5. Cisco

Cisco Firepower NGFW delivers visibility and integrated security to protect various network environments against cybersecurity threats. 

Cisco Firepower delivers threat prevention and advanced malware protection from the network to the endpoint. Cisco offers enterprise-grade security solutions with updated threat features to ensure protection from any current and upcoming threats.

Firepower is the foundation of the integrated Cisco security architecture that ensures comprehensive and unified policy management of firewall functions and application control to provide greater security control points. Integration with AnyConnect remote client VPN allows securing remote access. Further, Cisco’s next-generation advanced-level firewall can detect many levels of malware.

Users at Gartner Peer Insights rate Cisco Firepower at 4.5 out of 5, with 76% willing to recommend it, and users at G2 rate Cisco Firepower at 4.1 out of 5.

Differentiators

• Ease of implementation
• Single object multi-site management and deployment
• Prevents DNS attacks and phishing attacks

See more: How Does a Next-Generation Firewall Work?