A firewall serves as a barrier to unapproved network traffic. 

Additional organizational security policies are enforced to achieve this, including active traffic monitoring of incoming and outgoing traffic. 

Firewalls were initially implemented internally to safeguard local networks, but the modernization of this functionality was necessary due to the evolving cyber environment.

The 7th layer of the OSI model now contains an entirely new subset of next-generation firewalls (NGFW). 

Consequently, the capabilities included intrusion prevention systems, DNS security solutions, advanced threat prevention, and access controls.

A firewall creates a remotely delivered cybersecurity solution licensed on a subscription basis as a Service or FWaaS.

Companies can streamline their IT infrastructure using Perimeter81 FWaaS, a firewall solution offered as a cloud-based service.

Firewalls were initially developed to safeguard local company networks, but firewalls changed as more businesses migrated their data and applications to the cloud. 

The ability to deliver firewalls as a component of a company’s cloud infrastructure is now made possible by the firewall as a service providers, or FWaaS.

What is Firewall as a service?

Network security technology known as “firewall as a service” (FWaaS) describes a cloud firewall that offers advanced Layer 7/next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities, including access controls like URL filtering, advanced threat prevention, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and DNS security.

A firewall as a service is a product or service that businesses can purchase to protect their network from external threats. 

Sometimes, doing this is preferable to building your physical infrastructure for security management.

FWaaS goes beyond merely virtualizing a network firewall appliance.

With the help of FWaaS, businesses can eliminate firewall appliances, streamline their IT infrastructure, and enhance cybersecurity in general. 

FWaaS is very similar to an on-premises hardware firewall in many ways. 

It has distinct benefits, like the capacity to scale almost instantly to accommodate a growing network. 

It optimizes DNS resolution to improve user experience and cloud application performance—crucial for CDN-based apps.

It keeps a thorough log of every session and employs advanced analytics to correlate events and reveal threats and vulnerabilities for all users, applications, and locations from a single console.

Working of Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)?

Firewall as a Service filters network traffic to protect the organization from threats, much like NGFWs do. 

The primary distinction is that it uses the cloud infrastructure model to function. 

Aside from that, FWaaS services offer standard firewall features like packet filtering, network monitoring, IPsec security, IP mapping capabilities, and deeper content inspection and analysis features.

Each FWaaS provider’s client is furnished with virtual instances to prevent client overlaps. 

Separate clients are, therefore, unable to alter one another’s settings or view another’s traffic. 

Network administrators can ensure network security by configuring firewalls per their internal policies. This is done from a centralized console.

Every traffic must go through a firewall because FWaaS sits between a network and the internet. 

The header of every single passed data packet is examined to spot actions that might be considered malicious. 

In addition to searching for potentially malicious headers, deep packet inspection can also look at the packet’s data.

Firewalls are moving to the cloud at the same rate as most business infrastructure components. 

Increased synergy is a further advantage of having a firewall integrated into the structure of your network. 

What are Firewall as a Service Features?

Web filtering, advanced threat protection (ATP), intrusion prevention system (IPS), and Domain Name System (DNS) security are all features of the hyper-scale next-generation firewall (NGFW) solution known as FWaaS.

• You can fully secure and monitor your company’s most crucial resources from a single dashboard.
• Provide secure, seamless access to the company’s networks and resources for users working remotely or away from the office.
• Create individualized IPS signatures and quickly deploy them to locate and thwart specific, targeted threats.
• Using centralized policy management, create adaptable access policies for PaaS/IaaS and cloud services.
• As soon as evasive and encrypted cyber threats are detected in traffic on strange ports, they must be stopped.
• Avoid malware, spyware, known vulnerability exploits, and malicious URLs while analyzing traffic.
• Check your server’s security, get alerts when something strange happens, and gather IP address intelligence.
• Using quick and effective intelligent TLS inspection, a sizable blind spot can be eliminated.
• Users, devices, and applications—even those that are encrypted—must be seen to detect and stop threats.
• It keeps an eye out for programs that behave suspiciously while simultaneously detecting and stopping internet attacks.
• Quality of Service (QoS) and advanced application-based routing path selection capabilities are offered.   

What benefits of Firewall as a Service?

• Increased Flexibility
• Improved Scalability
• Flexible Deployment and Operating Expense (OpEx) Consumption Model
• Simplified Deployment and Maintenance
• Unified Security Policy Deployed via the Cloud

FWaaS offers several clear benefits for businesses looking for an agile security solution. 

Many businesses are abandoning conventional in-house solutions in favor of entrusting the security of their network to an FWaaS provider to maintain flexibility.

Increased Flexibility

An FWaaS lets you choose when and how to deploy security measures based on the procedures and assets you want to safeguard. 

A database, application, or content management system that was built for the cloud can also be protected using FWaaS.

Additionally, you can select the location of your protections within a cloud-based data chain. 

Improved Scalability

You can quickly scale your FWaaS solution by talking to your provider about your new requirements, and they can then give you advice based on your company’s objectives.

You might not be able to get a refund for your money if you use an on-premises solution, and there is no way to get a “refund” for the time spent deploying the scaled-up solution. 

In addition, if the new solution proves to be overkill or unnecessary, scaling with an FWaaS makes it relatively simple to revert to your previous configuration.

Flexible Deployment and Operating Expense (OpEx) Consumption Model

You can maximize your financial resources and even reduce OpEx costs with FWaaS while getting the required security.

Your FWaaS provider can assist you in making the best package choice if you explain your situation to them.

Numerous moving parts, both in terms of equipment and otherwise, make deploying an internal solution difficult and time-consuming.

The organization needs to give the provider the necessary data in cases where custom configurations are required, and the provider can then alter the deployment.  

Simplified Deployment and Maintenance

Deploying a new on-premises security suite—or even just one security tool- can take time and resources. 

All you have to do with FWaaS is explain your needs to your provider. Their team can handle all configuration details and already have the necessary resources.

Unified Security Policy Deployed via the Cloud

Bringing together various security initiatives under one roof is known as unified security. 

As a result, the organization can be protected from a wider range of dangers due to the overarching service. 

Intentional redundancy arising from two or more security measures capable of thwarting the same threat may be incorporated into a unified security architecture. 

Why Do Organizations Need FWaaS?

• Firewalls can protect cloud data. 
• Using a firewall, you can prevent access to websites that are not authorized. 
• Enhanced network efficiency
• VPN services may be offered through a firewall
• Through the use of firewalls, you can restrict bandwidth usage.
• Industry regulations compliance
• Simplified Management

The cloud service provider will manage both your solution’s hardware infrastructure and security in the cloud.

For many businesses, service-based architectures are essential because they let them expand as needed without worrying about provisioning new hardware.

Firewalls can protect cloud data. 

Businesses increasingly opt to host all of their data in the cloud rather than on an on-site server, indicating the risk of relying on the risk management systems for IT security used for cloud storage.  

Using a firewall, you can prevent access to websites that are not authorized. 

A firewall can prevent access to specific unapproved websites and prevent unauthorized users from using your system. 

This is useful if you want to stop your employees from visiting inappropriate websites while they are supposed to be working or ones that could potentially download malicious software. 

Enhanced network efficiency

By limiting traffic that might be slowing or clogging up your network, network firewalls can improve the efficiency of your network. 

Making sure that your employees have quick and simple access to network resources is possible by doing this.

VPN services may be offered through a firewall

Data sent between your office computers and your remote office can be encrypted using a firewall. 

Your company’s local area network (LAN) can be linked to a wide area network (WAN) using it as a gateway.

Through the use of firewalls, you can restrict bandwidth usage.

Using firewall network security, you can easily restrict the bandwidth available for a specific type of access or data. 

Although it does not entirely disable bandwidth, it does allow you to set restrictions on how frequently your staff can access media files, watch videos, and other content. 

In this manner, your precious bandwidth will give you access to faster speeds and be set aside for tasks related to your job.

Industry regulations compliance

Depending on your industry, you might have to abide by regulations like HIPAA or PCI DSS (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). 

You can abide by these legal requirements with the help of network firewalls, which offer secure access to sensitive data and appropriate network configuration.

Simplified Management

Using a firewall as a service ensures that your IT team concentrates on tasks related to the organization’s primary objective.

Your system will operate more effectively if essential policies and rules are implemented, constant monitoring throughout the year, and necessary patch management is carried out.

What is the difference Between an FWAAS and a Traditional Firewall?

Traditional firewalls can be physical hardware appliances connected to an internal network or software programs installed on a server, computer, or other device.

Traditional firewalls protect an organization’s internal network, whereas cloud-based firewalls erect a virtual security barrier around cloud platforms, infrastructure, and applications.

The main distinction between cloud firewalls and traditional firewalls is that cloud firewalls are hosted in the cloud. In contrast, traditional firewalls also act as a network security mechanism to stop malicious network attacks.

Organizations don’t need to perform installation or configuration work for cloud-based firewalls because these tasks are handled by the outside vendors who are offering the service.

While traditional firewalls offer features like packet filtering, VPN, and network address translation, FWAAS has been made “application-aware” or can recognize applications and implement controls at the application layer.

Whereas Traditional Firewalls check the source IP address, port numbers, etc., FWAAS prevents cyberattacks on the cloud and offers round-the-clock security for your cloud components. 

Cloud firewalls are simple to keep up with. The service provider handles all necessary updates, patch management, and other recurring tasks.

In contrast, your IT department uses traditional firewalls for these tasks. As a result, more resources and work will be needed.

Cloud firewalls can typically be easily expanded to multi-cloud environments. On the other hand, traditional firewalls need more money and resources to expand their functionality across networks.

Conclusion

To secure networks, a firewall is used. Per its security policies, it monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, allowing or blocking data packets as necessary.

It aims to create a barrier between traffic from your internal network and external networks, like the rest of the internet. 

Only a tiny portion of a sound cyber security strategy includes firewalls. 

Providers of managed firewall services can assist you in creating and implementing an efficient cybersecurity strategy designed to meet your specific needs. 

They can identify weaknesses in your systems, provide ongoing monitoring and reporting services, and provide guidance on securing networks.

So that you can use firewalls to protect your company effectively, it’s crucial to understand how they function.