NGFW vs. Traditional Firewalls: What Really Matters for Your Stack

Mitigata delivers firewall protection that goes beyond basic security because we provide:

• Free Demo to test features before purchase.
• Proven Trust from 800+ B2B companies in India.
• Affordable Enterprise Security without compromises.
• 24/7 Support to guide you anytime.
• Smooth Integration with your existing systems.
• All-Inclusive Training with no hidden charges.
• End-to-End Management from deployment to ongoing monitoring.

What is a Next-Generation Firewall?

A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) goes far beyond the basic filtering of traditional firewalls. While it still performs stateful inspection, i.e. tracking active connections and filtering based on port and protocol, it adds deep security intelligence to the mix.

NGFWs combine multiple advanced technologies into one solution:

• Deep packet inspection
• Application-level awareness and control
• Integrated intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Threat intelligence integration

For example, rather than merely inspecting the packaging slip (the header) of a letter, NGFWs open the letter, inspect the contents, determine the original sender and expected recipient, and compare that information to a global list of known threats before making a decision.

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What are the benefits of next-generation firewalls?

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) offer much more than basic traffic filtering. They combine multiple layers of security to give organisations better visibility, more control, and stronger protection against modern cyber threats. Here’s how they help:

Stronger Threat Protection
NGFWs include an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that scans all network traffic for known vulnerabilities and attack patterns. This helps detect and block threats like zero-day exploits, ransomware, and advanced malware in real time. Traditional firewalls don’t have the depth to stop these kinds of threats on their own.

Smarter Application and Web Control
NGFWs can recognise and control traffic at the application level. For example, instead of blocking an entire port used by web traffic, you can allow access to approved apps like Salesforce while blocking high-risk features like file sharing or social media posting. You can also set rules for which websites users can access based on business needs.

Inspection of Encrypted Traffic
Most internet traffic is now encrypted using SSL or TLS. Attackers often use this to hide malware or launch attacks without being seen. NGFWs can decrypt this traffic, inspect it for threats, and re-encrypt it – all in real time. This gives you visibility into encrypted traffic without compromising user privacy.

Identity-Based Access Controls
Instead of relying only on IP addresses, NGFWs let you create rules based on users, roles, or groups. This helps you apply the right security controls based on who the user is, not just where they are coming from. It also improves control in remote and hybrid work environments.

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Bandwidth and Performance Management
With NGFWs, you can prioritise business-critical applications and manage bandwidth usage. This ensures that important services run smoothly while limiting the impact of non-essential or high-bandwidth traffic.

Built-in Support for Zero Trust
Many NGFWs now integrate with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) models. This means users and devices must be verified before they can access any part of the network, regardless of where they are located. It’s a key part of securing remote and distributed teams.

Secure VPN and Remote Access
NGFWs include VPN features that allow employees to connect securely from outside the office. Traffic is encrypted, which protects sensitive data and helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

Centralised Monitoring and Management
A centralised dashboard lets your security team manage policies, monitor activity, and respond to threats across different locations. This makes it easier to enforce consistent security rules and reduces the time spent switching between systems.