Hello there! 

Yesterday’s blog discussed the advantage of having a next-gen firewall and what should a next-gen firewall do. Then we presented 10 important factors to consider when choosing a next-gen firewall solution, but we only detailed you on the first five, namely:

1- Is the firewall built on a comprehensive stateful firewall foundation?

2- Does the solution support robust, secure remote access for mobile users?

3- Does the firewall provide proactive threat protection?

4- Can the firewall maintain performance when multiple security services are running?

5- Does the solution offer deep visibility into applications with granular application controls?

Today’s blog will focus on the other five factors, which are:

6- Is the firewall able to deliver user, network, application, and device intelligence to help drive context-aware protection?

7- Does the firewall offer cloud-based web security?

8- Can you deploy a future-proof solution that can scale as your organization grows?

9- Does the firewall vendor have extensive support and services to ease the migration path?

10- Does the firewall vendor offer attractive financing options to speed deployment time?

So let’s dive right in!

6- Is the firewall able to deliver user, network, application, and device intelligence to help drive context-aware protection?

Network intelligence allows organizations to set differentiated security policies for users, particularly those coming into the network from other locations and using their own devices. Look for a firewall that helps you support your organization’s bring-your-own-device (BYOD) practices more securely. Insight into device profiles, device postures, and 802.1x authentication details enables organizations to deliver consistent and granular access controlز

7- Does the firewall offer cloud-based web security?

Threat protection delivered through the cloud can help organizations of all sizes gain a highly distributed security perimeter that can enable new applications and protect all users proactively. Look for a firewall that provides zero-day protection to all users, regardless of location. A best practice is to deliver web security, application control, management, and reporting fully integrated into a cloud-based service that provides industry-leading security and control, with 99.999 percent availability and uptime with zero-day threat protection through heuristics analysis.

8- Can you deploy a future-proof solution that can scale as your organization grows?

As an organization expands its operations, its security needs change. But scaling security solutions to meet changing business needs should not be cost-prohibitive—or increase administrative complexity. A next-generation firewall should be an easily manageable single-box solution that supports your midsize organization as it grows. Does your next-generation firewall reduce capital and operating costs by consolidating multiple security solutions including stateful firewall, VPN gateway, application control, web security, IPS, and antimalware in one box? Does it simplify next-generation firewall deployment and reduce administration complexity with a single, unified management console?

Additionally, can your vendor help you scale as your organization grows and your requirements change? Turn to a single source vendor that can help you deploy a comprehensive security solution that includes next-generation firewall, next-generation IPS, and advanced anti-malware protection for advanced threat protection, integrating real-time contextual awareness, intelligent security automation, and industry-leading threat prevention effectiveness.

9- Does the firewall vendor have extensive support and services to ease the migration path? Migrating to a next-generation firewall is a major undertaking. Every business infrastructure is unique, and maintaining security while transitioning to a new solution requires detailed planning and careful change management. Even short periods of downtime can undermine profitability and security. Any next-generation firewall vendor or their certified partners must be able to provide deep experience, knowledge, leading practices, and tools (including those of others) to minimize disruption and support business continuity during migration—and do so cost-effectively.

In addition to offering innovative firewall solutions, the vendor must be able to provide professional services to help improve your migration experience, minimize disruption, and support business continuity during migration. When choosing a firewall vendor, make sure the vendor and its specialized partners can help your organization achieve both an accurate and complete migration. Whether you’re upgrading to a new platform, or migrating from a third-party platform, confirm that the services provider has the deep experience, knowledge, leading practices, and tools required to mitigate risk as your organization migrates to a next-generation solution.

Ask about service flexibility: Does the vendor only perform these services through on-site delivery? Can they be done remotely, or through a combination of on-site and remote delivery to support your organization’s needs, preferences, and cost-sensitivity? Technical assistance after installation is also an important consideration. Does your vendor provide your IT personnel with anytime access (24 hours, 365 days a year) to specialized engineers? Do they provide flexible hardware coverage, and proactive device diagnostics, self-support resources, tools, or online training? Great technical support helps reduce network downtime and keeps your organization up and running.

10- Does the firewall vendor offer attractive financing options to speed deployment time?

Spreading the cost for a next-generation firewall solution over time makes budgeting easier and payments more manageable. Vendors that provide financing give organizations the freedom to acquire the technology they need to grow their business as well as the flexibility to react to changing market needs. Investing in the right technology without making a large capital expenditure also allows organizations to channel financial resources into other areas of the business and drive success. Look for financing options at competitive rates, with the flexibility to defer payments and fund the entire solution, from technology to services.

Stay ahead of threats while reducing cost and complexity

To help midsize organizations in Saudi Arabia meet the key considerations outlined above, Ctelecoms provides Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) so you can stay ahead of today’s emerging threats with collective security intelligence. Cisco NGFW allows administrators to see and control user activity, device access, and malicious behavior. It also reduces complexity, capital, and operating costs with fewer devices to manage and deploy. Cisco, together with Ctelecoms, delivers next-generation network security to address your requirements around BYOD, cloud, and emerging threats. Looking to find out more? Get in touch with Ctelecoms teams.

Resource: https://www.cisco.com/