Check Point Software Technologies – Check Point is one of the pioneers and leaders in firewall and network security. They are best known for their firewall appliances marketed under the FireWall-1 and Check Point VPN-1 brands. Their next-generation firewall offerings are called the Check Point Next Generation Firewalls. Some key models include the Check Point 1500, 2500, 4500, and 6500 series appliances. They offer threat prevention capabilities like IPS, advanced malware protection, sandboxes, cloud security, and more. Check Point firewalls are widely used by enterprise customers and commonly placed as the core perimeter defense in many corporate networks.
Palo Alto Networks – Palo Alto Networks is another industry leader known for their next-gen “STRATA” firewall architecture. Their firewall appliances integrate networking and security functions into a single device. Popular models include the PA-200, PA-500, PA-2200, PA-3200, PA-5000, PA-7000 and PA-3020. These appliances deliver firewall capabilities along with features like IPS, URL filtering, antivirus, anti-botnet protection, wildfire malware analysis, and more. Palo Alto focuses heavily on integration of cloud and AI/ML security like their Cortex products. Their globalPro security subscription provides continuous updates.
Fortinet – Fortinet offers a full portfolio of unified threat management (UTM) appliances suitable for small businesses up to large enterprises. Popular FortiGate next-gen firewall models encompass the 30E, 60E, 80F, 100F, 200F, 300E, 500E, 800F, 1000F, 1500D, and 4000E series. Fortinet firewalls integrate routing, switching, WAN optimization, antivirus, IPS, web filtering, sandboxing, VPN and more. The FortiGuard security subscription updates their threat research and adds new protections continuously. Fortinet has a large global customer base and is popular for delivering great value and performance.
Cisco – Cisco acquired Sourcefire in 2013 and continues advancing their Firepower next-generation firewall offerings. Key models for enterprises include the Cisco Firepower 2100, 4100, 4200, 9300 and 9500 series appliances. These consolidate routing, switching, security inspection and advanced malware analysis. The Firepower Management Center provides centralized management and reporting. Cisco leverages their AMP (Advanced Malware Protection) and Talos threat intelligence data to power the firewalls. Cisco is a leader for their reliability and scalability in very large enterprise deployments.
Juniper Networks – Juniper provides their SRX series next-gen firewall appliances for both data center and branch office use cases. Models include the SRX100, SRX110, SRX210, SRX220, SRX230, SRX240, SRX300, SRX320, SRX340, SRX345, SRX1500 and SRX4100. These deliver full proxy NGFW capabilities including IPS, antivirus, web and application filtering, SSL inspection, and sandboxes. SRX firewalls integrate management via the JunosSpace Security Director console. Juniper appeals to many enterprises for reliability and extensive feature sets.
Sophos – Sophos takes an all-in-one approach with their XG Firewall series of unified threat management appliances suitable for mid-sized businesses. Key models are the Sophos XG 105, XG 115, XG 135, XG 250 and XG 450. These firewalls come pre-configured with Sophos’ synchronized security services like web, email, and endpoint protection. Central management and reporting is done through the Sophos Central cloud-based platform. Sophos aims to simplify security for SMBs with lowmaintenance, easy-to-use appliances.
Barracuda – Barracuda provides next-gen firewall form factors ranging from small branch office use to large data centers. Their popular NGFW models are the Barracuda NGFW 110, 210, 310, 510, 750 and 1050. They deliver threat protection alongside WAN optimization, application control, web filtering and more. Centralized configuration and reporting leverages the Barracuda CloudGen web gateway. Free 90-day trials encourage evaluations. Their firewalls are versatile options suited for many mid-sized network security deployments.
While there are other vendors as well, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cisco, Juniper, Sophos and Barracuda stand out as some of the most reputable and reliable providers of next-generation firewall appliances on the market today based on their firewall platforms, security capabilities, global customer bases, and overall leadership in network security. Buyers have many excellent choices when it comes to purchasing best-in-class network perimeter security from these industry leaders.