Firewall –

FortiGate NGFW is the world's most deployed network firewall, delivering unparalleled AI-powered security performance and threat intelligence, along with full visibility and security and networking convergence.

A firewall is a network security device that acts as a barrier between an internal network and external networks, such as the internet. Its primary purpose is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

Firewalls operate by examining network traffic packets and determining whether to allow or block them based on the defined rules. These rules can be based on various criteria, including source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, protocols, and other attributes of the network packets.

The main functions of a firewall include:

1. Packet filtering: Examining individual packets and allowing or blocking them based on predefined rules.

2. Network address translation (NAT): Translating private IP addresses to a public IP address and vice versa, enabling devices with private IP addresses to communicate over the internet.

3. Stateful inspection: Tracking the state of network connections and allowing only the packets that belong to established and authorized connections.

4. Application-level filtering: Analyzing network traffic at the application layer to enforce security policies based on specific applications or protocols.

5. VPN support: Providing secure remote access to the network through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by establishing encrypted tunnels.

Firewalls are essential for network security, as they help protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, malware attacks, and other security threats. They serve as a critical component of a layered security approach, working alongside other security measures such as intrusion detection and prevention systems, antivirus software, and secure network configurations.