The Top 10 Advantages of Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)

Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) is an essential security tool for protecting cloud-based networks from malicious traffic. Here’s what you need to know about FWaaS, along with the top 10 advantages of implementing it.

What is Firewall as a Service?

Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) is a cloud-based, next-generation firewall, designed to protect cloud applications from threats, and scale with cloud environments. 

Delivered by single vendors, FWaaS combines advanced cybersecurity features, such as:

  • Web filtering
  • Deep packet inspection
  • Behavioral analysis

This provides a powerful, easy-to-manage, and all-in-one cloud security tool. 

FWaaS vs. Traditional Firewalls 

Traditional firewalls secure the network perimeters of on-premises systems. If you think of traditional firewall protection as a single wall, then FWaaS is like a bubble. It creates a protected region around a cloud network wherein all traffic is filtered and verified. 

Here are some of the key differences between a FWaaS and a traditional firewall (TF): 

FWaaSTF
Deployment Cloud-based, no hardware needed.Hardware-based, requires physical installation.
ScalabilityAutomatically scales with your cloud network.Limited by hardware capacity.
MaintenanceManaged by the vendor, including updates and patches.Requires manual maintenance and updates by IT teams.
CostSubscription-based, with no upfront hardware costs.Potentially high upfront cost for hardware, plus ongoing maintenance expenses.

Why FWaaS Is Essential for Modern Businesses

Most organizations now use a combination of on-premises and hybrid cloud platforms, and the modern workforce is remote, with employees, third parties, and devices all accessing the cloud directly via digital identities. 

As a result, the traditional network perimeter has dissolved, and regular firewalls don’t map to cloud infrastructure. Cloud environments require cloud-based security solutions, which is why FWaaS provides a crucial level of protection for businesses today.  

Top 10 Advantages of Firewall as a Service

Here are the top 10 advantages of FWaaS.

#1: Compatibility with Cloud Applications

FWaaS integrates with all cloud-based applications, as well as cutting-edge cloud security tools like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), to provide advanced protection against threats without forcing you to change your tools or workflows. 

#2: Scalability

FWaaS grows with your business. Whether you’re expanding your cloud environment, onboarding users, or launching new products, it handles increased traffic and workloads without needing upgrades. 

In this sense, FWaaS is a future-proof solution.

#3: Improved Visibility

Cloud environments are vast and complex. This is why full visibility is key for detecting threats and keeping your network secure. FWaaS leaves no stone unturned. It can detect:

  • Suspicious behavior
  • Traffic patterns
  • Potential threats in real-time

It helps with preventing incidents from escalating and reduces your attack surface. 

#4: Advanced Cybersecurity Tools

FWaaS solutions are a far cry from the rigid defenses of traditional firewalls. Beyond web filtering, they offer advanced features like:

  • Internet Protocol Security, 
  • Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN)
  • Real-time analytics
  • Intelligent threat detection

This lets them map to and evolve with your cloud environment and tackle new threats as and when they emerge.

#5: Better User Experience 

FWaaS removes the need for multiple security tools and policies. 

Plus, there’s no need for traffic backhauling, which reduces latency – this means that end users enjoy faster and smoother access to your cloud network.

#6: Budget-Friendly 

With FWaaS, there’s no expensive hardware to manage. 

A simple subscription cost covers everything, reducing maintenance and staffing costs while keeping your security budget predictable.

#7: Low Maintenance 

FWaaS solutions provide centralized visibility and control over your cloud security activities and policies—without the need to install or fix hardware. Meanwhile, your vendor takes care of the backend: 

  • Maintaining
  • Updating
  • Auditing

This is freeing up internal resources for other tasks. 

#8. Deep Packet Inspection 

FWaaS goes beyond traditional firewalls by actively inspecting data packets as they enter your cloud network – identifying hidden threats like:

#9. Compliance and Reporting

FWaaS solutions automatically (and consistently) apply security policies across your entire cloud network.

This ensures you’re compliant with strict cybersecurity regulations. Also, thanks to its continuous monitoring capabilities, FWaaS also provides detailed reports on your network performance and vulnerabilities.

#10. Zero Trust 

FWaaS implements a zero trust approach to firewall security, ensuring that every identity in your cloud network is fully authenticated and authorized before they can access resources – no matter who they claim to be, where they’re connecting from, or what permissions they have. 

This prevents attackers from escalating their privileges, moving laterally, and breaching critical resources. 

What to Consider Before Adopting FWaaS

Here are a few things to consider before you implement a FWaaS solution.

Which Vendor to Choose? 

Check their tool’s offering, their support channels, and what industry they focus on. It’s always worth checking out some customer reviews too. 

Will Their Solution Integrate with My Systems?

If you’re using a range of cloud applications, it’s important to make sure that your vendor’s FWaaS solution will work with them all. 

Which FWaaS Features will I Benefit From?

FWaaS solutions come with many built-in filtering tools, but not all of them may be relevant to your business.

Some may even lack key features that you need to run your operations and comply with industry standards – so double-check what your vendor includes. 

How Much Does It Cost? 

Performing a cost-benefit analysis is key when comparing the pricing of FWaaS vendors. 

Is My Team Ready?

FWaaS is not a set-and-forget solution. Your team must be ready to proactively review the data it provides and investigate threats.

Maximize Network Security with Check Point’s SASE

Protecting your corporate network requires advanced solutions. Equipped with a powerful Firewall as a Service, Check Point SASE provides fast and reliable access to all of your on-prem and cloud resources while safeguarding your network with Zero Trust access, advanced threat prevention, AI-powered security, and more. 

Harmony SASE makes it easy for you to implement a strong cloud-based firewall to help you protect your most critical assets and unlock superior internet security performance. 

Book a free demo today to find out more. 

FAQs

What is the difference between cloud firewalls and premise firewalls?
Cloud firewalls, like FWaaS, are managed and hosted in the cloud. They are virtual and offer scalability, central management, and ease of deployment. Premise firewalls, on the other hand, are physical devices installed on-premises, requiring hardware maintenance and updates. FWaaS offers advantages in scalability and ease of maintenance compared to premise firewalls.
What are the key security features included in FWaaS solutions?
FWaaS solutions integrate advanced cybersecurity features such as web filtering, deep packet inspection, and behavioral analysis. They also provide intrusion prevention and detection capabilities, enabling them to identify and block suspicious activities like malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts.
3. How does FWaaS ensure compliance and reporting?
FWaaS solutions enforce security policies consistently across the entire cloud network, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations. They also provide detailed reports on network performance and vulnerabilities, offering valuable insights for security teams.
How does FWaaS contribute to a Zero Trust approach?
FWaaS implements a Zero Trust model by verifying and authenticating every identity accessing the cloud network, regardless of their perceived location or privileges. This rigorous authentication process minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and prevents attackers from escalating their privileges.
What are the benefits of using FWaaS for network traffic management?
FWaaS provides centralized management of security rules and policies, ensuring consistent application across the entire cloud network. This allows for efficient control over network traffic and identification of potential threats. By monitoring and analyzing network traffic, FWaaS can detect suspicious activities and prevent security incidents.

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