Testing just how good Next Generation Firewalls are
TechRepublic / By Michael Kassner
January 23, 2012
Takeaway: Next Generation Firewalls are supposedly the next best thing. Are they though? Michael Kassner decided to find out.
A know-it-all employee of one of my clients told her their perimeter defenses — including firewall — were shamefully inadequate. They needed a NGFW.
I almost said something when my client told me. But for once, I just listened. Besides, what if the employee was right? The not knowing was enough; I started investigating Next Generation FireWalls (NGFW), eventually writing an article about what I learned.
While writing that first article, one thing became evident: NGFWs are complex multi-purpose devices. That makes them difficult to test. You can’t just plug them in and see what happens. Besides, I know this guy.
Need some help
That guy is Rick Moy, CEO and founder of NSS Labs, a research and testing facility for software and digital appliances. NSS Labs caught my attention several years ago. The reason? NSS Labs is completely independent. Rick is adamant about that...
