Hybrid IT Environments Demand Comprehensive Solutions
Much like conventional firewalls, next-generation firewalls
(NGFWs) filter network traffic based on predetermined security rules but have
evolved to include granular application-layer visibility and control
capabilities, enabling organizations to examine data traffic more deeply.
With
the traditional security perimeter of organizations slowly disappearing due to
the growing utilization of cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT) devices,
and remote work, more businesses are implementing hybrid IT environments. While
cloud computing offers various benefits, such as scalability and flexibility,
it comes with its own set of challenges and security threats.
The
new generation of cybersecurity attacks involves a multifaceted approach,
simultaneously striking an organization from multiple vectors. NGFWs have
become an essential tool for many organizations; however, they no longer
suffice in today's threat landscape due to a lack of visibility and flexibility
to effectively secure modern hybrid IT infrastructures.
Hybrid
environments present higher IT complexity and require more comprehensive
solutions, which include zero trust and secure access service edge (SASE)
security principles. This does not imply that NGFWs are obsolete; it simply
creates a shift in purchasing behavior, in which more organizations subscribe
to NGFW services under the umbrella of a more holistic platform offering.
Due
to the shift in demand and the evolving threat landscape, most NGFW vendors
have expanded their product portfolio to include hybrid offerings, fusing
network and security capabilities to protect customers throughout their cloud
migration journey. With more vendors transitioning from pure-play NGFW to SASE
solutions, the market is experiencing a second renaissance with accelerated
growth rates.
As time progresses,
more organizations will shift from hardware to virtual and cloud firewalls
(also called firewall-as-a-service) as part of a larger SASE bundle, leading
NGFW vendors to market different form factors in specific regions. Due to the
higher rate of cloud adoption, demand for firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS)
solutions will be highest in North America and EMEA. At
the same time, APAC will remain a steady source of revenue for hardware NGFW
solutions due to the higher concentrations of on-premises IT infrastructures.
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