Key Takeaways:
- Next-generation firewall offers enhanced protection and threat intelligence feeds in real time making it far superior to traditional firewalls.
- Over 47% of businesses worldwide face advanced AI threats, which are becoming more sophisticated with advancements in artificial intelligence.
- Retailers and businesses can benefit more from NFGW due to its advanced security and scalability solutions.
In today’s competitive landscape, businesses can’t settle for outdated tech solutions. With the threats growing more sophisticated day by day, it is essential to have the latest tools to defend your networks.
In this article, we are covering the pivotal comparison between the traditional firewall vs next generation firewall. For retailers and business partners seeking to enhance network security, understanding this difference is crucial.
What is a Traditional Firewall?
It is a network security device that filters traffic based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports operating on Layers 3 and 4 of the OSI model. It uses packet filtering and stateful inspection. It examines traffic at the surface level and acts as the first line of defense.
Advantages:
- Simple to configure
- Cost-effective and needs low maintenance
Disadvantages:
- Lacks application-level inspection
- Can’t detect modern threats such as malware, zero-day exploits
- Lacks user-based policy controls
What is a Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)?
A next-gen firewall on the other hand comes with enhanced functions to traditional firewall with deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), application control, and real-time threat intelligence. NGFW operates at Layers 3-7 of the OSI model which offers better visibility into user behavior, app usage, and encrypted traffic.
Advantages:
- DPI threat detection and deep packet inspection
- Application-level filtering
- User identity awareness
- Real-time threat intelligence feeds
Disadvantages:
- Higher operational and upfront costs
- Requires skilled configuration
- Requires more hardware resources
Right Choice Matters
The global NGFW market is anticipated to reach $8.6 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 11.4%. Over 47% of organizations worldwide cite adverse effects and growing concerns over GenAI-powered cyber threats enabling more sophisticated and scalable attacks.
These numbers make it clear that simply relying upon traditional firewalls no longer cuts it.
The Difference
| Features | Traditional Firewall | Next Generation Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| OSI Layer | Layers 3 & 4 | Up to 7 Layers |
| Packet inspection | Basic filtering | Deep packet inspection |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Intrusion prevention | No | Yes |
| User identity awareness | No | Yes |
| Real-time threat identification | No | Yes |
NGFWs offer dynamic, intelligent protection, while traditional firewalls are more limited to static rules and surface-level monitoring. Businesses need to make the right choice to stay protected against modern cyber threats.
Which Firewall Should You Sell?
Recommended: Sell next-generation firewalls, as they are the future.
NGFWs are ideal for:
- Retailers and businesses managing multiple POS systems
- Distributors needing secure client portals
- Cloud-enabled businesses looking for advanced perimeter protection
Traditional firewalls are ideal for:
- Small offices with minimal web traffic
- Businesses with temporary or legacy network setups
- Non-critical applications with isolated access
Best Option for Bulk Buyers and Wholesalers
Next-gen firewalls offer flexible features such as:
- Centralized dashboards for multiple branch management
- Cloud native integration (GCP, AWS and Azure)
- High availability (HA) support
- Unified Threat Management (UTM)
Next-generation firewalls benefits:
- Retail chains with unified security policies across all branches
- System integrators who provide add-on services like remote monitoring and management
- Franchise owners who offer centralized dashboards and services for managing multiple locations
- Distributors looking for opportunities in value-added resale and compliance support
What key selling points to look for:
- High scalability and throughput options
- Cloud-native and multi-tenant options
- Volume licensing discounts and subscription bundles
How to Strategize Sales
1. Lead with the business value
When selling firewalls, don’t just focus on selling the product; rather, provide offers such as protection for uptime, reputation, and compliance.
2. Try bundling
Create bundled offerings such as firewall+end protection; deployment+training+24/7 Support and compliance frameworks. This will land unique customers looking for specific needs for network protection.
3. Subscription services
Try offering subscription services such as HaaS (hardware-as-a-service) models, annual discounts for bulk purchases, and licensing based on the number of users or traffic volume.
4. Demos and POCs
Let buyers test NGFW and give them a 15-day free trial, real time attack simulations and threat detection dashboards, etc.
Why B2B businesses, retailers and partners should choose NGFW
Businesses operates in high-risk environments dealing with huge consumer data and interlinked systems. A next-gen firewall provides intelligent security and agility needed to stay protected against the modern cyber threats such as
- Detecting ransomware and phishing threats in real-time
- Control app and user access with granular rules
- Ensure secure, reliable and scalable remote work environment
- Compliance requirements (GDPR, PCI, and HIPAA) are regulated
- Reduce risk of data breaches and reputational damages
Final thoughts
Traditional firewalls save businesses from simple threats, but today’s digital threats demand smarter, more advanced protection. A next-generation firewall is the best solution possible, offering complete control, visibility, and threat migration leveraging protection across all layers of your network.
If you are a retailer or business partner evaluating Cybersecurity upgrades, NGFW is not just a solution but a necessity.
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