The rapid digitization of our world has made us more connected than ever, but this connection comes with risks. With increased connectivity comes increased vulnerability to cyber attacks. This is where firewalls and CCIE Security Training come into play.
Firewalls serve as the first line of defense in network security, shielding networks from random automated attacks and segmenting them into trusted and untrusted portions. Coupled with CCIE Security Training, organizations can ensure they are well-equipped to handle these threats.
Just as a security guard monitors and controls who enters and exits a building, a firewall operates similarly on a network level. Positioned at the edge perimeter of the network, firewalls protect the trusted domain – the security domain – from the untrusted portion of the network. They provide access to network devices within the organization, effectively keeping the outside world at bay.
Network firewalls control traffic between networks, similar to the walls and doors in a building that limit the spread of damage. They compartmentalize the network into multiple zones, each with distinct security requirements. These “walls” block traffic by default and rely on access lists to allow specific traffic. The design ensures high availability and redundancy, resulting in uninterrupted network operation.
Firewalls, in their varied forms – hardware or software – play an integral role in network security. Physical hardware appliances, designed specifically for firewall services, can be coupled with routers to safeguard multiple devices. Introduced in 2005, Cisco’s first firewall, the ASA, predominantly worked at the IP and transport levels – layers 3 and 4.
In 2007, Palo Alto Networks, founded by former Checkpoint Netscreen Technologies engineer Nir Zuk, revolutionized the market by introducing the first Next-Generation Firewall. These firewalls provided advanced features and inspection capabilities at layer 7, unlike the ASA firewalls that only worked at layers 3 and 4. This innovative approach enabled Palo Alto Networks to capture a significant market share.
Modern firewalls are stateful, a concept that is emphasized in CCIE Security Training. This means they intelligently build and store information about various protocols like TCP and UDP. This allows them to establish connection tables and permit return traffic. Unlike their stateless counterparts, which are also covered in CCIE Security Training, stateful firewalls do not indiscriminately drop return traffic.
In a bid to compete with Palo Alto’s advancements, Cisco acquired the Sourcefire and snot engine and introduced the 5500 series with the X models. These strategic moves, including the 2.9 billion-dollar acquisition, aimed at challenging Palo Alto’s innovation and regaining market share.
Cisco ASA firewalls, being stateful, are intelligent boxes. Their ability to build a connection table and permit return traffic has been thoroughly tested in CCI labs on models 5512 and 5516. Over the next ten days, the focus will be on layer 3 and layer 4 filtering, with a particular interest in deep packet inspection (DPI) used for payload inspection in layer 7.
The digital landscape is fraught with potential threats. To navigate this environment safely, firewalls – the unseen protectors of our digital spaces – are essential. Their evolution over time, from the initial ASA models to the Next-Generation Firewalls, is a testament to the relentless pursuit of more secure and intelligent systems. As the competition in the firewall market heats up, bolstered by insights from CCIE Security Training, we can expect more innovations that will continue to strengthen our network security.