The best FWaaS providers have been a key part of how companies all over the world protect themselves. Without it, networks are more vulnerable to harmful software and attacks from cybercriminals that come out of the blue. Firewalls actively control the traffic that comes into and leaves a network. This keeps networks, their private data, and IT frameworks safe.
As cloud solutions kept getting better, cloud-based security services had to catch up, which is how firewall as a service (FWaaS) came to be. In short, FWaaS took the next-generation firewall (NGFW), which was the last step in the growth of firewalls, and put it in the cloud. Below, we have mentioned the best FWaaS providers.
What is Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)?
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) is a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that gives businesses firewall and network security services without the need for on-premises hardware or dedicated firewall appliances. FWaaS uses the cloud to offer firewall features like traffic filtering, danger detection, and access control as a subscription-based service.
Key features and components of Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) include:
🌐 Cloud-based infrastructure: FWaaS works in the cloud and uses distributed data centers and infrastructure to process network traffic and apply security policies.
🔥 Firewall Functions: FWaaS includes firewall functions like packet filtering, stateful inspection, access control, and application-layer filtering to protect network data from unauthorized access and threats.
🚫 Threat Detection and Prevention: FWaaS often uses intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) and threat intelligence to find and stop malicious traffic, such as malware, viruses, and suspicious activity.
📈 Scalability: Organizations can easily add or take away resources from their firewalls to meet changing network traffic and demand.
🗄️ Centralized Management: FWaaS solutions usually come with a centralized management interface that lets admins set up, monitor, and enforce security policies across the whole network from a single dashboard.
Best FWaaS providers Comparison Table
Providers of Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) offer security options in the cloud that protect networks from cyber threats. They provide firewall defense that is scalable and easy to set up, so there is no need for hardware on-premises. Leading FWaaS providers like Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and Check Point offer strong threat detection, intrusion protection, and seamless network control, which improves security.
| Feature | Perimeter 81 | Check Point NGFW | Cloudflare Magic Firewall | CrowdStrike | Cisco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network Security | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud-Based Solution | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Firewall Capabilities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Threat Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Endpoint Protection | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| VPN Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Centralized Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Perimeter 81
Features
- User-centric security model.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capabilities.
- Centralized management and easy scalability.
- Cloud-native architecture for flexible deployment.
The FWaaS from Perimeter 81 is very powerful and lets you control more than one network, unlike most firewalls. So, it’s a good choice for big companies with a lot of money and tools. Still, small businesses can use this option as well. There are no installation fees and a flexible cancellation policy, so you don’t have to worry about any extra costs.
Pros
- User-friendly interface and easy setup.
- Scalable and flexible, suitable for businesses of all sizes.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capabilities enhance security.
- Provides cloud-native firewall protection.
Cons
- Pricing can be on the higher side for smaller businesses.
- May require additional integration for certain advanced security features.
Check Point NGFW
Features
- Advanced threat prevention and intrusion detection.
- Application and URL filtering.
- Integration with ThreatCloud for real-time threat intelligence.
- Unified security management and reporting.
Check Point has been the market leader for firewalls for a long time, and their next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) are some of the most logical and easy-to-use goods on the market. Check Point NGFW is a next-generation firewall that lets people use internet apps safely by slowing down harmful programs and letting safe ones through.
Pros
- Established reputation in the cybersecurity industry.
- High-performance firewall capabilities.
- Good for large enterprises with complex network needs.
Cons
- Can be complex to configure and manage, requiring skilled IT staff.
Cloudflare Magic Firewall
Features
- Cloud-based, distributed firewall solution.
- DDoS protection and web application firewall (WAF) capabilities.
- Global network of data centers for low-latency protection.
- Easy rule configuration and real-time analytics.
From San Francisco, Cloudflare is good at getting information to people. Its first products helped websites and apps run better, but Cloudflare quickly added security products to protect against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and allow safe connections from and to remote resources.
Pros
- Global network presence and strong DDoS protection.
- Easy to set up and manage.
- Integrates with other Cloudflare services, enhancing overall web security.
Cons
- Limited advanced firewall features compared to dedicated NGFW solutions.
- May not be suitable for all network architectures.
CrowdStrike
Features
- Endpoint-focused security platform.
- Falcon Firewall Management for cloud-based firewall control.
- Advanced threat detection and response.
- AI-driven threat intelligence and protection.
CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company based in Austin, Texas. They offer products and services for threat intelligence, threat response, and cloud workload. CrowdStrike Falcon Firewall Management is a cloud-native security architecture that can be used to manage native firewall systems without all the hassle. It gives you a centralized way to enforce security rules and control who has access to the network.
Pros
- Advanced threat detection and endpoint security capabilities.
- Cloud-native architecture for scalability and flexibility.
- Provides not only firewall but also comprehensive endpoint protection.
- Suitable for organizations with a focus on endpoint security.
Cons
- Primarily an endpoint security provider, so firewall capabilities may not be as robust as dedicated solutions.
- May require additional firewall components for comprehensive network security.
- Pricing can be higher when combining multiple CrowdStrike services.
Cisco
Features
- Comprehensive network security solutions.
- Offers firewalls like Cisco Firepower NGFW.
- Integrated threat defense and policy enforcement.
- Scalable and suitable for enterprise-level deployments.
Cisco Secure Firewall is your best option for high-end defense. It has features like DDoS mitigation, sandboxing settings, Cisco Secure IPS, and Cisco Secure Endpoint that can quickly find and stop advanced threats. It also has built-in management, application control, intrusion prevention, URL filtering, and rules for protecting against malware. Cisco Firepower NGFW also gives full reports about any strange packets that get through.
Pros
- Established reputation and extensive product portfolio.
- Offers a wide range of security products and services, including NGFW.
- Excellent for large enterprises with complex network environments.
- Strong support and a large user community.
Cons
- Can be expensive, both in terms of upfront costs and ongoing maintenance.
- Configuration and management can be complex, requiring skilled IT staff.
- Smaller businesses may find Cisco’s offerings overkill for their needs.
How to choose the right FWaaS provider
Choosing the right Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) service is the most important thing you can do to protect your organization’s network and data. Here are some steps you can take to find the right FWaaS provider:
🔍 Check how much security you need: Start by figuring out what security needs your company has. Think about the size of your network, the types of info you deal with, and any rules you have to follow. This will help you figure out what kind of defense you need.
🛡️ Get to know the deployment models: FWaaS providers might offer different ways to set up their services, such as public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid options. Choose the deployment plan that fits the infrastructure and security needs of your business.
🔒 Check the Safety Features: Check out the protection features that FWaaS providers offer. Make sure the service includes important firewall features like packet filtering, intrusion detection and prevention, access control, and application-layer blocking. Think about whether the service has advanced ways to find and stop threats.
📶 How it works and how big it can get: Check how well the provider’s network works and if it can be expanded. Make sure that the FWaaS option can handle the amount of network traffic you expect and can grow with your business. Look for providers with a network infrastructure that is spread out for the best results.
📜 Conformity and Accreditation: If your company has to follow certain rules (like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS), make sure that the FWaaS provider meets those standards. Look for companies who have been audited and have the right certifications.
FAQs
Instead of needing hardware to get the benefits of a firewall, FWaaS moves all of the firewall’s features to the cloud. This lets IT get rid of these appliances and move security analysis to a single, easy-to-access panel.
If the Guinness Book of World Records had a category for “biggest firewall ever,” the new SRX 5800 from Juniper would be listed there.
