Firewall-as-a-service, often abbreviated as “FWaaS,” is a firewall solution delivered via the cloud. It not only allows organizations to simplify their IT infrastructure but also provides next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities. As such, it lets users filter web traffic, enable advanced threat protection, prevent intrusions, and implement Domain Name System (DNS) security.
In many ways, FWaaS is no different from hardware firewalls that companies have on their premises. The only difference is that a third-party vendor operates and manages it.
Read More about Firewall-as-a-Service
FWaaS, like any other XaaS model, is hosted on a vendor’s premises and provides several benefits. Learn all about it here.
How Does Firewall-as-a-Service Work?
A FWaaS works a lot like an NGFW solution. It filters network traffic to protect organizations from threats coming from inside and outside its network.
It has stateful firewall features, allowing it to filter data packets, monitor network-connected assets, provide Internet Protocol security (IPsec), support Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) virtual private networks (VPNs), and map Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Like NGFWs, it also inspects content, enabling it to identify malware and other threats.
FWaaS is positioned between a company network and the Internet. It inspects traffic attempting to enter the network to detect and address threats. It analyzes the information in the header of each data packet to determine where the packet came from, along with other behaviors that may indicate malicious intent.
FWaaS also looks at the data within a packet through deep packet inspection (DPI). As such, it can alert threat responders to dangers. More advanced solutions also use machine learning (ML) to identify new and zero-day threats.
What Benefits Does Firewall-as-a-Service Provide?
FWaaS can give users multiple advantages.
Detects Even Hidden Malware
The service dynamically inspects traffic going to and coming from all users, applications, devices, and locations. As such, it can detect even malware hidden in encrypted traffic.
Provides Always-On Protection
FWaaS providers provide 24 x 7 services to customers. They also have cybersecurity specialists who can handle all firewall-connected issues, ensuring no threats can enter the network perimeter.
Defends against Malicious Domains
When it comes to security, blocking access from threat vectors, like a malicious domain, is the first line of defense. FWaaS can determine if the traffic source is malicious. And if that is the case, anything—a file or an email—sent from it gets blocked.
Provides a Bird’s-Eye View of Network Activities
FWaaS solutions offer users real-time visibility, control, and immediate policy enforcement. They log all sessions in great detail and use advanced analytics to correlate events and provide insights into threats and vulnerabilities from a single console.
How Does Firewall-as-a-Service Differ from a Next-Generation Firewall?
NGFWs perform DPI, prevent intrusions, filter Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), and control applications. Unlike traditional firewalls, they come built with ML capability to adapt to new and emerging threats.
FWaaS solutions have the same abilities. But, unlike NGFWs, they can keep up with the growth of cloud computing. They are, after all, designed to protect hybrid cloud environments—something NGFWs cannot do.
And since NGFWs are operated and managed in-house, maintaining them can be complex. IT teams, for instance, must update software across the organization and cover all endpoints, including remote work devices.
It also helps that FWaaS costs less because companies can choose a subscription that is just enough for their operational needs.
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As more and more organizations shift to cloud computing, they will have to extend their firewalls’ capability. Opting for FWaaS may just be what they need.
Key Takeaways
- FWaaS is a firewall solution delivered via the cloud.
- It not only allows organizations to simplify their IT infrastructure but also provides NGFW capabilities.
- It lets users filter web traffic, enable advanced threat protection, prevent intrusions, and implement DNS security.
- It detects even malware hidden in encrypted traffic and performs DPI.
- In a nutshell, it is an NGFW that users do not have to operate, manage, and maintain on-premises that is, most importantly, made to protect hybrid cloud environments.
Sources
- https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-firewall-as-a-service
- https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/cloud/what-is-a-cloud-firewall/
- https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/network-security/firewall-as-a-service-fwaas/
