Firewall Integration of Top Management Services in 2024

Firewalls play a crucial role in safeguarding networks against cyber threats by controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Firewall management services ensure consistent security policies, adherence to compliance, and effective threat management across an organization’s network infrastructure. However, without proper firewall integration into the management system, network security cannot be provided.

Top 11 firewall management services firewall integration

Disclaimer: ❌ means that AIMultiple team couldn’t identify public evidence about the integration. The table is created based on vendor claims. If a vendor didn’t specifically mention an integration, it was assumed to be non-existent. Finally, if an off-the-shelf integration doesn’t exist, users can still use firewall audit tools with firewalls with some integration effort.

Management services inclusion criteria:

• Only products with a minimum of 10 reviews across all review platforms were considered for inclusion.
• The table is compiled using publicly available and verifiable data.
• All vendors featured in this list employ over 100 individuals.
• The ranking is determined by the total number of reviews, except for the sponsored vendor, which holds the top position.

Firewall inclusion criteria:

• The table is compiled using publicly available and verifiable data.
• Only firewall vendors with 1000+ reviews on Gartner were considered for inclusion.

Firewall management services

Firewall management services encompass a range of tools and platforms designed to simplify firewall administration, configuration, monitoring, and compliance. These services are crucial for maintaining robust security postures and ensuring regulatory adherence. For further details, businesses may explore top firewall management services.

1. Tufin Orchestration Suite

Figure 1. Shows Tufin’s firewall and platform integrations

Source: Tufin¹

Tufin Orchestration Suite‘s capabilities span essential areas, including regulatory adherence, streamlined policy changes, network performance optimization, robust auditing, and enhanced security through secure access and traffic management functionalities.

Tufin‘s suite offers firewall management services, integrating seamlessly with Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco firewalls. However, integration with Sophos firewalls is currently unavailable.

2. Palo Alto Networks Panorama

Palo Alto Networks’ managed firewall service is particularly strong in change and rule management, crucial for network security and access control; however, it falls short in other areas like regulatory compliance, performance monitoring, and audit management.

While Palo Alto Networks’s Panorama platform provides centralized management for Palo Alto Networks firewalls, it lacks integrations with other firewall brands.

3. Barracuda CloudGen Firewall Control Center

Barracuda’s managed firewall service focuses on managing firewall configurations and auditing, but it lacks certain comprehensive tools that are crucial for regulatory adherence, network optimization, policy enforcement, and secure remote access.

This control center is tailored for Barracuda firewalls and does not offer integrations with other firewall providers within the five firewalls shown in the table.

4. ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer

ManageEngine’s firewall management service provides core functionalities essential for maintaining security standards, tracking modifications, and ensuring regulatory compliance, although it lacks certain tools crucial for optimizing network performance, enhancing secure remote access capabilities, and ensuring advanced threat protection.

ManageEngine’s solution supports integration with Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and Sophos firewalls, offering extensive coverage across leading firewall brands.

5. Sophos Central

Sopho’s firewall management service is adept at handling key functions such as ensuring modifications adhere to standards, securing virtual traffic, and providing zero trust network access, yet it doesn’t encompass tools for optimizing performance, managing rules, or conducting thorough audits.

Sophos Central integrates with Fortinet, Check Point, and Cisco firewalls, providing a unified management interface for these platforms.

6. AWS Firewall Manager

AWS Firewall Manager focuses on maintaining regulatory standards through stringent rule enforcement, auditing capabilities, and access controls, yet it lacks direct features for managing operational changes, optimizing system performance, and efficiently routing network traffic.

AWS Firewall Manager focuses on Amazon Web Services (AWS) environments and offers integration with Palo Alto Networks firewalls, catering specifically to cloud-based firewall management.

7. Fortinet FortiManager

Fortinet’s firewall management service prioritizes operational efficiency, security compliance, and network performance optimization, focusing on critical aspects such as change management, performance management, compliance management, audit management, and ZTNA, although it may not offer extensive rule management or VTM functionalities.

FortiManager is designed primarily for Fortinet firewalls, limiting its integrations to Fortinet devices. It does not have compliance with the other firewalls shown in the table.

8. Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center

Cisco’s managed firewall service offers essential capabilities crucial for maintaining security policies and regulatory adherence, but lacks vital features for optimizing network performance, conducting thorough audits, and enhancing secure remote access capabilities.

Cisco’s solution focuses on Cisco firewalls, providing centralized management and control for Cisco firewall deployments.

9. Microsoft Azure Firewall Manager

Microsoft Azure’s firewall management service provides capabilities in ensuring regulatory adherence and enforcing security policies, but lacks certain functionalities for optimizing system performance, conducting thorough security audits, managing operational changes, and enhancing secure remote access capabilities.

Azure’s offering is tailored for Microsoft Azure environments and does not integrate with other firewall brands.

10. FireMon Security Manager

FireMon’s firewall management service focuses on essential functionalities crucial for ensuring regulatory adherence, maintaining security policies, conducting audits, and implementing controlled changes.

Figure 2. Shows Firemon’s firewall integrations

Source: Firemon²

FireMon’s solution supports integration with Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco firewalls, offering a robust set of integrations across major firewall providers.

11. Skybox Security Firewall Assurance

Skybox Security’s managed firewall service offers essential functionalities crucial for maintaining security policies, ensuring regulatory adherence, and efficiently managing configurations, yet it lacks specific features for optimizing network performance and enforcing secure remote access policies.

Skybox Security offers comprehensive integrations with Fortinet, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and Sophos firewalls, providing a holistic approach to firewall management and assurance.

Considerations in firewall integration

Organizations must carefully consider several key factors to ensure successful and effective integration before embarking on firewall integration initiatives. According to NIST³, organizations should keep four considerations in mind regarding firewall integrations.

1. Compatibility with network infrastructure

One of the foremost considerations in firewall integration is assessing whether the firewall requires specific hardware components to seamlessly integrate within the organization’s network infrastructure. This includes evaluating factors such as power capabilities, network interface card (NIC) compatibility, backup device requirements, and other hardware specifications. Ensuring compatibility with existing network hardware is essential to prevent compatibility issues and optimize firewall performance.

2. Integration with existing security devices

Another critical consideration is determining whether the firewall needs to be compatible with other devices on the network that provide security or other services. This includes evaluating compatibility with intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), network access control (NAC) solutions, and other security appliances. Integration with existing security devices ensures comprehensive threat detection and defense capabilities across the network.

3. Logging interoperability

Effective firewall integration also entails evaluating whether the firewall’s logging capabilities seamlessly interoperate with existing log management systems. Centralized log management is crucial for monitoring security events, analyzing network traffic, and detecting potential threats. Ensuring logging interoperability enables organizations to consolidate security event data and streamline incident response processes.

4. Network impact and changes

Installing a firewall as part of integration efforts may necessitate changes to other areas of the network. Organizations must assess the potential impact of firewall deployment on network traffic, access controls, and overall network performance. Planning for network changes, conducting impact assessments, and implementing necessary adjustments are vital to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth firewall integration.

Resources for effective firewall integration

To enhance firewall integration effectiveness and address potential challenges, organizations can tap into three main resources and strategies:

1. Vendor documentation and support

Consult vendor resources, including comprehensive documentation and dedicated support services. These resources offer valuable insights into firewall rules, integration protocols, and best practices, aiding in seamless deployment and management.

2. Third-party integrators and consultants

Collaborate with experienced third-party integrators or consultants specializing in firewall integration. These experts provide in-depth knowledge, tailored solutions, and ongoing support, ensuring optimal configuration and performance.

3. Training and certification programs

Implement training and certification initiatives for IT teams involved in integration and management. These programs equip staff with the necessary skills, and knowledge of security protocols, and compliance standards, empowering them to navigate complex integration scenarios effectively.

FAQs

Further reading

• 3-Step Guide to Effective Firewall Audit in 2024
• Key Components of Firewall Compliance: Guidance in 2024

External Links

• 1. Tufin. Tufin Orchestration Suite. Accessed: 18/April/2024.
• 2. Firemon. Firemon Security Manager. Accessed: 18/April/2024.
• 3. NIST. Guidelines on Firewalls and Firewall Policy. Accessed: 18/April/2024.