Best practices in NGFW configuration and management

While NGFWs offer powerful security and traffic management controls, effective NGFW deployment goes beyond the initial technical configuration. IT auditors must validate that optimal firewall rule designs are present and that management processes surrounding changes ensure operational integrity. Firewall audit tools may be invaluable, depending on the size and complexity of the rulesets used by an organization. This section offers practical guidelines based on industry best practices and the potential pitfalls commonly discovered in real-world audit contexts.

Common NGFW Pitfalls

Let’s first take a look at some common NGFW pitfalls that you might encounter during an audit.

1 – Outdated configurations

Outdated configurations within an NGFW environment undermine optimal security posture and operational efficiency. These legacy rules, often carried forward from previous generations of firewalls or implemented...