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AlgoSec leads in automating application connectivity and security policy management, essential for complex hybrid and multi-cloud networks AlgoSec Achieves Outperformer Status in GigaOm’s Cloud Network Security Radar Report AlgoSec leads in automating application connectivity and security policy management, essential for complex hybrid and multi-cloud networks February 15, 2024 Speak to one of our experts RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., Feb 15, 2024 – Global cybersecurity leader AlgoSec has been named a Market Outperformer in GigaOm’s first cloud network security Radar Report, recognizing its position at the forefront of Cloud security innovation. The GigaOm Radar report highlights key cloud network security vendors to equip IT decision-makers with the information they need to select the best fit for their business. It measures selected vendors based on their execution and ability to innovate. In the report, Andrew Green, IT writer and practitioner, acknowledged several of AlgoSec’s distinguishing capabilities including Automation and Security Policy Management: “AlgoSec automates application connectivity and security policy across the hybrid network estate including public cloud, private cloud, containers, and on-premises networks.” Comprehensive Solution Suite : “AlgoSec delivers cloud network security solutions via its Firewall Analyzer, FireFlow, and AlgoSec Cloud products. AlgoSec Cloud provides application-based risk identification and security policy management across multi-cloud environments.” Real-Time Network Mapping : “A real-time network map provides a comprehensive view and connectivity flows of security and networking appliances such as firewalls, routers, and switches.” Other highlights from the report include infrastructure as code (IaC) security scanning capability, which produces “what-if” risks and vulnerability analysis scans within existing source control applications, and AlgoBot, an intelligent chatbot that assists with change management processes. Green said: “Network security policy managers have a distinct set of features, with particularly strong observability, misconfiguration, and simulation capabilities. These solutions are less invasive as they orchestrate only existing appliances without imposing architectural changes, and they can help enterprises reach the low-hanging fruit for improving their security posture. AlgoSec offers a range of innovative developments, including AlgoBot, which helps with change management processes, and the solution’s capabilities for planning and simulations.” “We are at the forefront of a pivotal shift within cloud network security”, said Eran Shiff, VP Product at AlgoSec. “To effectively address the needs of businesses working in a complex hybrid world, we are disregarding conventional norms and operating deep within the cloud application level. By understanding the business context and purpose of every application, we are enabling our customers to gain visibility, reduce overall risk and process hundreds of application changes with zero-touch across a hybrid network. Our inclusion in this report is a testament of this evolution and marks a new chapter in securing application connectivity.” AlgoSec is trusted by more than 1,800 of the world’s leading organizations including NCR Corporation, a leading global point-of-sale (POS) provider for restaurants, retailers, and banks and a provider of multi-vendor ATM software. Commenting on the partnership, Scott Theriault, Global Manager, Network Perimeter Security at NCR said: “As we aspire to achieve zero-trust, when moving into the cloud, micro-segmentation and container security come into play. Therefore, we need tools like AlgoSec to assist us in the journey because most application owners do not know what access is needed. This tool helps them learn what needs to be implemented to reduce the attack surface,” stated Theriault. About AlgoSec AlgoSec, a global cybersecurity leader, empowers organizations to secure application connectivity and cloud-native applications throughout their multi-cloud and hybrid network. Trusted by more than 1,800 of the world’s leading organizations, AlgoSec’s application-centric approach enables to securely accelerate business application deployment by centrally managing application connectivity and security policies across the public clouds, private clouds, containers, and on-premises networks. Using its unique vendor-agnostic deep algorithm for intelligent change management automation, AlgoSec enables acceleration of digital transformation projects, helps prevent business application downtime and substantially reduces manual work and exposure to security risks. AlgoSec’s policy management and CNAPP platforms provide a single source for visibility into security and compliance issues within cloud-native applications as well as across the hybrid network environment, to ensure ongoing adherence to internet security standards, industry, and internal regulations. Learn how AlgoSec enables application owners, information security experts, DevSecOps and cloud security teams to deploy business applications up to 10 times faster while maintaining security at www.algosec.com . About GigaOm GigaOm provides technical, operational, and business advice for strategic digital enterprise and business initiatives. Enterprise business leaders, CIOs, and technology organizations partner with GigaOm for practical, actionable, strategic, and visionary advice for modernizing and transforming their business. GigaOm’s advice empowers enterprises to successfully compete in an increasingly complicated business atmosphere that requires a solid understanding of constantly changing customer demands. GigaOm works directly with enterprises both inside and outside of the IT organization to apply proven research and methodologies designed to avoid pitfalls and roadblocks while balancing risk and innovation. Research methodologies include but are not limited to adoption and benchmarking surveys, use cases, interviews, ROI/TCO, market landscapes, strategic trends, and technical benchmarks. Our analysts possess 20+ years of experience advising a spectrum of clients from early adopters to mainstream enterprises. GigaOm’s perspective is that of the unbiased enterprise practitioner. Through this perspective, GigaOm connects with engaged and loyal subscribers on a deep and meaningful level.

The transition to cloud-based environments has ushered in unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and innovation. However, it has also... Hybrid Cloud Security Management Unveiling best practices for a resilient cloud security strategy Malcom Sargla 2 min read Malcom Sargla Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 8/30/23 Published The transition to cloud-based environments has ushered in unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and innovation. However, it has also magnified the importance of fortifying our digital fortresses against an array of potential risks. Considering the increasing reliance on cloud computing, it’s important to find the best practices and strategies that organizations can adopt to enhance their cloud security posture and mitigate the risks associated with cloud-based environments. Navigating the Cloud Security Landscape As organizations race to seize the transformative potential of the cloud, they are faced with a series of profound decisions. Each step forward, though laden with promise, demands a profound understanding of the evolving cloud security landscape. Choosing your guardian: Cloud providers’ security Selecting a cloud provider marks a pivotal choice. The giants of the cloud – AWS, GCP, Azure, Oracle, and IBM – have honed their commitment to delivering secure platforms. These titans weave intricate layers of cutting-edge security technologies and artificial intelligence into their infrastructures, assuring an ironclad foundation for their clients. Here, diversity shines as a beacon of strength. Many organizations, mindful of fault domains and corporate governance, choose a multi-cloud approach. This approach is further empowered by solutions like AlgoSec, streamlining security management across diverse cloud estates. The hybrid conundrum: Security beyond the divide The debate over a cloud-only versus hybrid deployment churns with vigor. It’s not merely a technical decision; it’s an embodiment of an organization’s security philosophy. Retaining an on-premises presence offers a sense of comfort, an insurance policy for vital intellectual property. To navigate the hybrid landscape successfully, a unified security approach is imperative. A single-pane view that seamlessly spans visibility, risk assessment, compliance, and intelligent policy automation is the rudder that guides this ship. Blueprint for secure migration In the digital world, where data and applications surge like currents, migrating to the cloud demands meticulous planning and a steadfast commitment to security. Application Dependency: The heartbeat of cloud migration As applications metamorphose, they weave intricate relationships with their ecosystem. Moving them recklessly can disrupt the very heartbeat of your organization. Consider AlgoSec’s partnerships with Cisco Secure Workload, Illumio, and Guardicore. Through this synergy, applications are mapped, relationships dissected, and policies laid bare. These insights power intelligent remediation, ensuring that policies serve the application, not risk its integrity. The goldilocks move: Finding the right application components When migrating applications, precision is paramount. Moving the right components in tandem is akin to choreographing a symphony. Avoiding ‘hair-pinning’ between cloud and on-premises domains is key to preserving user experience and mitigating egress traffic costs. The mantra: migrate high-dependent application tiers in harmonious unison. Purifying the legacy: Pruning unneeded policies Before the embacing the cloud, make sure to clean your digital canvas. Rid it of unneeded policies, unburden the legacy baggage, and craft a secure foundation. AlgoSec advocates a risk-mitigation approach. Tune, optimize, and refine policies. This digital spring-cleaning ensures that your cloud journey is unmarred by relics of the past. The promise of a secure sky As the digital horizon stretches ever farther, cloud security ascends as both a challenge and an opportunity. With each step we take towards a cloud-powered future, we must arm ourselves with knowledge, tools, and practices that will safeguard our data, applications, and innovations. So, the question of how to mitigate risk becomes not just a query, but a clarion call. A call to weave security into the very fabric of our cloud endeavors. A call to adopt the best practices, to forge ahead with a robust strategy, and to ensure that the cloud’s promise of a brighter future is matched only by its commitment to security. Schedule a demo Related Articles 2025 in review: What innovations and milestones defined AlgoSec’s transformative year in 2025? AlgoSec Reviews Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Learn how Microsoft Azure and AlgoSec solutions help companies improve visibility and identify risk in large complex hybrid networking environments Webinars Joint webinar with Microsoft Azure - Understanding Hybrid Network Security Learn how Microsoft Azure and AlgoSec solutions help companies improve visibility and identify risk in large complex hybrid networking environments In this joint webinar with Microsoft, we discuss the challenges in these hybrid networks and how Microsoft Azure and AlgoSec are helping companies leverage cloud technologies to add more capacity and business applications without increasing their exposure to security risk. During the webinar you will hear Yuval Pery, the Product Manager for Azure Network Security at Microsoft, review and discuss the security features and options available with Microsoft Azure. We also have Yoav Yam-Karnibad, the Product Manager for Cloud Network Security at AlgoSec, show the integrations that exist today between AlgoSec and Microsoft Azure that help improve visibility and identify and prioritize risk in today’s hybrid environments. September 14, 2023 Yoav Yam-Karnibad Product Manager, Cloud Network Security at AlgoSec Yuval Pery Product Manager, Azure Network Security at Microsoft Relevant resources Firewall Rule Recertification with Application Connectivity Keep Reading AlgoSec Cloud for Microsoft Azure Keep Reading Firewall management services
Proactive network security Keep Reading Choose a better way to manage your network Choose a better way to manage your network Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Continue

Properly configured firewalls are vital in any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. However, even the most robust configurations can be... Uncategorized How To Prevent Firewall Breaches (The 2024 Guide) Tsippi Dach 2 min read Tsippi Dach Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 1/11/24 Published Properly configured firewalls are vital in any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. However, even the most robust configurations can be vulnerable to exploitation by attackers. No single security measure can offer absolute protection against all cyber threats and data security risks . To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to understand how cybercriminals exploit firewall vulnerabilities. The more you know about their tactics, techniques, and procedures, the better-equipped you are to implement security policies that successfully block unauthorized access to network assets. In this guide, you’ll understand the common cyber threats that target enterprise firewall systems with the goal of helping you understand how attackers exploit misconfigurations and human vulnerabilities. Use this information to protect your network from a firewall breach. Understanding 6 Tactics Cybercriminals Use to Breach Firewalls 1. DNS Leaks Your firewall’s primary use is making sure unauthorized users do not gain access to your private network and the sensitive information it contains. But firewall rules can go both ways – preventing sensitive data from leaving the network is just as important. If enterprise security teams neglect to configure their firewalls to inspect outgoing traffic, cybercriminals can intercept this traffic and use it to find gaps in your security systems. DNS traffic is particularly susceptible to this approach because it shows a list of websites users on your network regularly visit. A hacker could use this information to create a spoofed version of a frequently visited website. For example, they might notice your organization’s employees visit a third-party website to attend training webinars. Registering a fake version of the training website and collecting employee login credentials would be simple. If your firewall doesn’t inspect DNS data and confirm connections to new IP addresses, you may never know. DNS leaks may also reveal the IP addresses and endpoint metadata of the device used to make an outgoing connection. This would give cybercriminals the ability to see what kind of hardware your organization’s employees use to connect to external websites. With that information in hand, impersonating managed service providers or other third-party partners is easy. Some DNS leaks even contain timestamp data, telling attackers exactly when users requested access to external web assets. How to protect yourself against DNS leaks Proper firewall configuration is key to preventing DNS-related security incidents. Your organization’s firewalls should provide observability and access control to both incoming and outgoing traffic. Connections to servers known for hosting malware and cybercrime assets should be blocked entirely. Connections to servers without a known reputation should be monitored closely. In a Zero Trust environment , even connections to known servers should benefit from scrutiny using an identity-based security framework. Don’t forget that apps can connect to external resources, too. Consider deploying web application firewalls configured to prevent DNS leaks when connecting to third-party assets and servers. You may also wish to update your security policy to require employees to use VPNs when connecting to external resources. An encrypted VPN connection can prevent DNS information from leaking, making it much harder for cybercriminals to conduct reconnaissance on potential targets using DNS data. 2. Encrypted Injection Attacks Older, simpler firewalls analyze traffic by looking at different kinds of data packet metadata. This provides clear evidence of certain denial-of-service attacks, clear violations of network security policy , and some forms of malware and ransomware . They do not conduct deep packet inspection to identify the kind of content passing through the firewall. This provides cybercriminals with an easy way to bypass firewall rules and intrusion prevention systems – encryption . If malicious content is encrypted before it hits the firewall, it may go unnoticed by simple firewall rules. Only next-generation firewalls capable of handling encrypted data packets can determine whether this kind of traffic is secure or not. Cybercriminals often deliver encrypted injection attacks through email. Phishing emails may trick users into clicking on a malicious link that injects encrypted code into the endpoint device. The script won’t decode and run until after it passes the data security threshold posed by the firewall. After that, it is free to search for personal data, credit card information, and more. Many of these attacks will also bypass antivirus controls that don’t know how to handle encrypted data. Task automation solutions like Windows PowerShell are also susceptible to these kinds of attacks. Even sophisticated detection-based security solutions may fail to recognize encrypted injection attacks if they don’t have the keys necessary to decrypt incoming data. How to protect yourself against encrypted injection attacks Deep packet inspection is one of the most valuable features next-generation firewalls provide to security teams. Industry-leading firewall vendors equip their products with the ability to decrypt and inspect traffic. This allows the firewall to prevent malicious content from entering the network through encrypted traffic, and it can also prevent sensitive encrypted data – like login credentials – from leaving the network. These capabilities are unique to next-generation firewalls and can’t be easily replaced with other solutions. Manufacturers and developers have to equip their firewalls with public-key cryptography capabilities and obtain data from certificate authorities in order to inspect encrypted traffic and do this. 3. Compromised Public Wi-Fi Public Wi-Fi networks are a well-known security threat for individuals and organizations alike. Anyone who logs into a password-protected account on public Wi-Fi at an airport or coffee shop runs the risk of sending their authentication information directly to hackers. Compromised public Wi-Fi also presents a lesser-known threat to security teams at enterprise organizations – it may help hackers breach firewalls. If a remote employee logs into a business account or other asset from a compromised public Wi-Fi connection, hackers can see all the data transmitted through that connection. This may give them the ability to steal account login details or spoof endpoint devices and defeat multi-factor authentication. Even password-protected private Wi-Fi connections can be abused in this way. Some Wi-Fi networks still use outdated WEP and WPA security protocols that have well-known vulnerabilities. Exploiting these weaknesses to take control of a WEP or WPA-protected network is trivial for hackers. The newer WPA2 and WPA3 standards are much more resilient against these kinds of attacks. While public Wi-Fi dangers usually bring remote workers and third-party service vendors to mind, on-premises networks are just as susceptible. Nothing prevents a hacker from gaining access to public Wi-Fi networks in retail stores, receptions, or other areas frequented by customers and employees. How to protect yourself against compromised public Wi-Fi attacks First, you must enforce security policies that only allow Wi-Fi traffic secured by WPA2 and WPA3 protocols. Hardware Wi-Fi routers that do not support these protocols must be replaced. This grants a minimum level of security to protected Wi-Fi networks. Next, all remote connections made over public Wi-Fi networks must be made using a secure VPN. This will encrypt the data that the public Wi-Fi router handles, making it impossible for a hacker to intercept without gaining access to the VPN’s secret decryption key. This doesn’t guarantee your network will be safe from attacks, but it improves your security posture considerably. 4. IoT Infrastructure Attacks Smartwatches, voice-operated speakers, and many automated office products make up the Internet of Things (IoT) segment of your network. Your organization may be using cloud-enriched access control systems, cost-efficient smart heating systems, and much more. Any Wi-Fi-enabled hardware capable of automation can safely be included in this category. However, these devices often fly under the radar of security team’s detection tools, which often focus on user traffic. If hackers compromise one of these devices, they may be able to move laterally through the network until they arrive at a segment that handles sensitive information. This process can take time, which is why many incident response teams do not consider suspicious IoT traffic to be a high-severity issue. IoT endpoints themselves rarely process sensitive data on their own, so it’s easy to overlook potential vulnerabilities and even ignore active attacks as long as the organization’s mission-critical assets aren’t impacted. However, hackers can expand their control over IoT devices and transform them into botnets capable of running denial-of-service attacks. These distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are much larger and more dangerous, and they are growing in popularity among cybercriminals. Botnet traffic associated with DDoS attacks on IoT networks has increased five-fold over the past year , showing just how promising it is for hackers. How to protect yourself against IoT infrastructure attacks Proper network segmentation is vital for preventing IoT infrastructure attacks . Your organization’s IoT devices should be secured on a network segment that is isolated from the rest of the network. If attackers do compromise the entire network, you should be protected from the risk of losing sensitive data from critical business assets. Ideally, this protection will be enforced with a strong set of firewalls managing the connection between your IoT subnetwork and the rest of your network. You may need to create custom rules that take your unique security risk profile and fleet of internet-connected devices into account. There are very few situations in which one-size-fits-all rulemaking works, and this is not one of them. All IoT devices – no matter how small or insignificant – should be protected by your firewall and other cybersecurity solutions . Never let these devices connect directly to the Internet through an unsecured channel. If they do, they provide attackers with a clear path to circumvent your firewalls and gain access to the rest of your network with ease. 5. Social Engineering and Phishing Social engineering attacks refer to a broad range of deceptive practices used by hackers to gain access to victims’ assets. What makes this approach special is that it does not necessarily depend on technical expertise. Instead of trying to hack your systems, cybercriminals are trying to hack your employees and company policies to carry out their attacks. Email phishing is one of the most common examples. In a typical phishing attack , hackers may spoof an email server to make it look like they are sending emails from a high-level executive in the company you work for. They can then impersonate this executive and demand junior accountants pay fictitious invoices or send sensitive customer data to email accounts controlled by threat actors. Other forms of social engineering can use your organization’s tech support line against itself. Attackers may pretend to represent large customer accounts and will leverage this ruse to gain information about how your company works. They may impersonate a third-party vendor and request confidential information that the vendor would normally have access to. These attacks span the range from simple trickery to elaborate confidence scams. Protecting against them can be incredibly challenging, and your firewall capabilities can make a significant difference in your overall state of readiness. How to protect yourself against social engineering attacks Employee training is the top priority for protecting against social engineering attacks . When employees understand the company’s operating procedures and security policies, it’s much harder for social engineers to trick them. Ideally, training should also include in-depth examples of how phishing attacks work, what they look like, and what steps employees should take when contacted by people they don’t trust. 6. Sandbox Exploits Many organizations use sandbox solutions to prevent file-based malware attacks. Sandboxes work by taking suspicious files and email attachments and opening them in a secure virtual environment before releasing them to users. The sandbox solution will observe how the file behaves and quarantine any file that shows malicious activity. In theory, this provides a powerful layer of defense against file-based attacks. But in practice, cybercriminals are well aware of how to bypass these solutions. For example, many sandbox solutions can’t open files over a certain size. Hackers who attach malicious code to large files can easily get through. Additionally, many forms of malware do not start executing malicious tasks the second they are activated. This delay can provide just enough of a buffer to get through a sandbox system. Some sophisticated forms of malware can even detect when they are being run in a sandbox environment – and will play the part of an innocent program until they are let loose inside the network. How to protect yourself against sandbox exploits Many next-generation firewalls include cloud-enabled sandboxing capable of running programs of arbitrary size for a potentially unlimited amount of time. More sophisticated sandbox solutions go to great lengths to mimic the system specifications of an actual endpoint so malware won’t know it is being run in a virtual environment. Organizations may also be able to overcome the limitations of the sandbox approach using Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) techniques. This approach keeps potentially malicious files off the network entirely and only allows a reconstructed version of the file to enter the network. Since the new file is constructed from scratch, it will not contain any malware that may have been attached to the original file. Prevent firewall breaches with AlgoSec Managing firewalls manually can be overwhelming and time-consuming – especially when dealing with multiple firewall solutions. With the help of a firewall management solution , you easily configure firewall rules and manage configurations from a single dashboard. AlgoSec’s powerful firewall management solution integrates with your firewalls to deliver unified firewall policy management from a single location, thus streamlining the entire process. With AlgoSec, you can maintain clear visibility of your firewall ruleset, automate the management process, assess risk & optimize rulesets, streamline audit preparation & ensure compliance, and use APIs to access many features through web services. Schedule a demo Related Articles 2025 in review: What innovations and milestones defined AlgoSec’s transformative year in 2025? AlgoSec Reviews Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

In today’s evolving threat landscape, Zero Trust Architecture has emerged as a significant security framework for organizations. One... Zero Trust Zero Trust Design Nitin Rajput 2 min read Nitin Rajput Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 5/18/24 Published In today’s evolving threat landscape, Zero Trust Architecture has emerged as a significant security framework for organizations. One influential model in this space is the Zero Trust Model, attributed to John Kinderbag. Inspired by Kinderbag’s model, we explore how our advanced solution can effectively align with the principles of Zero Trust. Let’s dive into the key points of mapping the Zero Trust Model with AlgoSec’s solution, enabling organizations to strengthen their security posture and embrace the Zero Trust paradigm. My approach of mapping Zero Trust Model with AlgoSec solution is based on John Kinderbag’s Zero Trust model ( details ) which being widely followed, and I hope it will help organizations in building their Zero trust strategy. Firstly, let’s understand what Zero trust is all about in a simple language. Zero Trust is a Cybersecurity approach that articulates that the fundamental problem we have is a broken trust model where the untrusted side of the network is the evil internet, and the trusted side is the stuff we control. Therefore, it is an approach to designing and implementing a security program based on the notion that no user or device or agent should have implicit trust. Instead, anyone or anything, a device or system that seeks access to corporate assets must prove it should be trusted. The primary goal of Zero Trust is to prevent breaches. Prevention is possible. In fact, it’s more cost effective from a business perspective to prevent a breach than it is to attempt to recover from a breach, pay a ransom, and the deal with the costs of downtime or lost customers. As per John Kinderbag, there are Four Zero Trust Design Principles and Five-Step Zero Trust Design Methodology. The Four Zero Trust Design Principles: The first and the most important principle of your Zero Trust strategy is know “What is the Business trying to achieve?”. Second, start with DAAS (Data, Application, Asset and Services) elements and protect surfaces that need protection and design outward from there. Third, determine who needs to have access to a resource in order to get their job done, commonly known as least privilege. Fourth, all the traffic going to and from a protect surface must be inspected and logged for malicious content. Define Business Outcomes Design from the inside out Determine who or what needs access Inspect and log all traffic The Five-Step Zero Trust Design Methodology To make your Zero trust journey achievable, you need a repeatable process to follow. The first step in the Zero trust is to break down your environment into smaller pieces that you need to protect (protect surfaces). The second step for deploying Zero Trust in each protect surfaces is to map the transactions flows so that we can allow only the ports and the address needed and nothing else. Everyone wants to know what products to buy to do Zero trust or to eliminate trust between digital systems, the truth is that you won’t know the answer to that until you’ve gone through the process. Which brings us to the third step in the methodology: architecting the Zero trust environment. Ultimately, we need to instantiate Zero Trust as a Layer 7 policy statement. Use the Kipling Method of Zero Trust policy writing to determine who or what can access your protect surface. The fifth design principle of Zero Trust is to inspect and log all traffic, for monitor and maintain, one needs to take all of the telemetry – whether it’s from a network detection and response tool, or from firewall or server application logs and then learn from them. As you learn over time, you can make security stronger and stronger. Define the protect surface Map the transaction flows Architect a Zero trust environment Create Zero trust policies Monitor and maintain. How AlgoSec aligns with “Map the transaction Flows” the 2nd step of Design Methodology? AlgoSec Auto-Discovery. analyses your traffic flows, turning them into a clear map. AutoDiscovery receives network traffic metadata as NetFlow, SFLOW, or full packets and then digest multiple streams of traffic metadata to let you clearly visualize your transaction flows. Once the transaction flows are discovered and optimized, the system keeps tracking changes in these flows. Once new flows are discovered in the network, the application description is updated with the new flows. Outcome: Clear visualization of transaction flows. Updated application description. Optimized transaction flows. How AlgoSec aligns with “Architect Zero Trust Policies” – the 4th step of Design Methodology? With AlgoSec, you can automate the security policy change process without introducing any element of risk, vulnerability, or compliance violation. AlgoSec allows you to ingest the discovered transaction flows as a Traffic Change request and analyze those traffic changes before they are implemented all the to your Firewalls, Public Cloud and SDN Solutions and validate successful changes as intended, all within your existing IT Service Management (ITSM) solutions. Outcome: Analyzed traffic changes for implementation. Implemented security policy changes without risk, vulnerability, or compliance violations. How Algosec aligns with “Monitor and maintain” – the 5th step of Design Methodology? AlgoSec analyzes security by analyzing firewall policies, firewall rules, firewall traffic logs and firewall change configurations. Detailed analysis of the security logs offers critical network vital intelligence about security breaches and attempted attacks like virus, trojans, and denial of service among others. With AlgoSec traffic flow analysis, you can monitor traffic within a specific firewall rule. You do not need to allow all traffic to traverse in all directions but instead, you can monitor it through the pragmatic behaviors on the network and enable network firewall administrators to recognize which firewall rules they can create and implement to allow only the necessary access. Outcome: Critical network intelligence, identification of security breaches and attempted attacks. Enhanced firewall rule creation and implementation, allowing only necessary access. Schedule a demo Related Articles 2025 in review: What innovations and milestones defined AlgoSec’s transformative year in 2025? AlgoSec Reviews Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Explore Algosec's customer success stories to see how organizations worldwide improve security, compliance, and efficiency with our solutions. Leading Life Insurance Company Ensures Security and Compliance Organization Life Insurance Industry Financial Services Headquarters Texas, USA Download case study Share Customer
success stories "AlgoSec worked right out of the box. We got started quickly and never looked back.” A leading insurance provider of life, disability and other benefits for individuals increases efficiency and ensures continuous compliance on their networks. Background This life insurance company provides insurance and wealth-management products and services to millions of Americans. The company employs thousands of people and maintains a network of several thousand financial representatives. They offer a wide range of insurance products and services that include life insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investments, dental and vision. Challenges For decades, the company operated a large and growing data center in Bethlehem, PA which they recently transferred to Dallas, TX. During and since the transfer, the company has been replacing much of its multi-vendor network infrastructure, consolidating on Cisco Firepower technology, but still maintaining vestiges of other routers, firewalls and network equipment. At the new data center, the company’s IT staff maintains more than 100 firewalls that host some 10,000 rules. The company’s network security engineer described the considerable pressure on the security staff: “Change requests are frequent, 25-30 per week, demanding considerable time and effort by the security team.” Due to the presence of firewalls from multiple vendors, change requests were analyzed manually and pushed to devices with great care so as not to interrupt the operation of a rapidly growing body of applications. “The change–request process was tedious and very time consuming,” declared the engineer. “as was the pressure to maintain a strong compliance posture at all times.” The company is subject to a litany of demanding insurance-industry regulations that concern the care of personal information and processes. Managing risk is critical to the success of the business and being able to ascertain compliance with regulations is always vital. Solution The security team turned to AlgoSec to help them manage network security policy across the large data center that includes firewalls from multiple vendors. After a careful review, the security team acquired AlgoSec’s Firewall Analyzer to speed up the process of firewall change management as well as to continuously quantify the degree of compliance and level of risk. Vendor-agnostic AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer delivers visibility and analysis of complex network security policies across on–premise and cloud networks. It automates and simplifies security operations including troubleshooting, auditing and risk analysis. Firewall Analyzer optimizes the configuration of firewalls, routers, web proxies and related network infrastructure to ensure security and compliance. Results After a very short installation and learning period, the security staff became proficient at operating Firewall Analyzer’s helpful capabilities. Soon thereafter, staff members undertook AlgoSec certification courses to become experts in using the solution for firewall analysis. “AlgoSec worked right out of the box,” said the engineer. “We got started quickly and never looked back.” The AlgoSec solution has significantly improved processes, delivering significantly improved results for their security team: Reduced time to analyze and optimize firewall rules, automatically checking for shadow rules and discovering other rules eligible for consolidation or deletion. Continual optimization of firewall rules across their entire network estate. Increased efficiency of security staff, enabling them to keep up with the volume of change requests. Accelerated and more accurate change verification. Audit-readiness, generating scheduled and on-demand compliance reports. The security staff looks forward to implementing AlgoSec FireFlow (AFF), that will enable them to push changes automatically to their population of firewalls, eliminating errors and further reducing risk. With AFF, the staff will be able to respond to changing business requirements with increased speed and agility. They added: “We are also checking out AlgoSec’s new cloud-security solution since we are migrating a growing number of applications to AWS.” Schedule time with one of our experts

Discover key insights on cloud network security, its benefits, challenges, and best practices for protecting your cloud environment effectively. Cloud network security: Challenges and best practices What is cloud network security? Cloud network security refers to the measures used to protect public, private, and hybrid cloud networks. These measures include technology, services, processes, policies, and controls and can defend against data exposure or misuse. Why is cloud network security important? Cloud network security is important because of the wide range of threats to data and other cloud resources. Some of the most common include data breaches and exposure, malware, phishing, compromised APIs, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), and DNS attacks, among others. In addition to defending against threat actors, cloud networks must also comply with an ever-growing number of regulations. A cloud-native security tool can provide the protection, incident response, and compliance that organizations need. Cloud security vs. network security Network security is a type of cloud security. If used in a hybrid system, it can rely on physical barriers and protections, whereas cloud security must exclusively use virtual solutions. In cloud computing, several organizations may share resources through infrastructure-as-a-service platforms like AWS EC2. Distributed data centers mean physical cybersecurity measures, like firewalls, must be replaced with virtual projections. There are three categories of cloud security: public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. Each offers its own set of challenges, which only increase in complexity for organizations with a multi-cloud environment. Schedule a Demo How does cloud network security work? Cloud network security routes traffic using software-defined networking. These protections are different from on-premise firewall systems and are virtualized and live in the cloud. The most secure platforms are built on a zero-trust security model, requiring authentication and verification for every connection. This helps protect cloud resources and defend them throughout the threat lifecycle. Schedule a Demo The benefits of cloud network security Cloud networks are inherently complex, and managing them using native tools can leave your organization vulnerable. Using a cloud network security solution offers several advantages. Improved protection The most important benefit of a secure cloud infrastructure is better protection. Managed permissions and orchestration can help prevent breaches and ensure better security across the system. Automated compliance A security solution can also help ensure compliance through automation that reviews policies for the most up-to-date regulatory and industry requirements and deploys the policy to multiple cloud platforms from a single place. Better visibility With a comprehensive solution, you can see all your properties—including on-premise and hybrid systems—in a single pane of glass. Improved visibility means recognizing new threats faster and resolving issues before they arise. Schedule a Demo Cloud network security challenges The cloud offers several benefits over traditional networks but also leads to unique vulnerabilities. Complexity across security control layers Cloud providers’ built-in security controls, such as security groups and network ACLs, impacts security posture. There is a need to protect cloud assets such as virtual machines, DBaaS, and serverless functions. Misconfigurations can introduce security risks across various assets, including IaaS and PaaS. Cloud and traditional firewall providers also offer advanced network security products (such as Azure Firewall, Palo Alto VM-Series, Check Point CloudGuard). Multiple public clouds Today’s environment uses multiple public clouds from AWS, Azure, and GCP. Security professionals are challenged by the need to understand their differences while managing them separately using multiple consoles and diverse tools. Multiple stakeholders Unlike on-premise networks, managing deployment is especially challenging in the cloud, where changes to configurations and security rules are often made by application developers, DevOps, and cloud teams. Schedule a Demo Key layers for cloud security Robust public cloud network security architecture must include four separate areas—layers that build upon each other for an effective network security solution. Cloud security architecture is fundamentally different from its on-premise counterpart. Cloud security challenges are met by a layered approach rather than a physical perimeter. Security for AWS, Azure, or any other public cloud employs four layers of increasing protection. Layer 1: Security groups Security groups form the first and most fundamental layer of cloud network security. Unlike traditional firewalls that use both allow and deny rules, security groups deny traffic by default and only use allow rules. These security groups are similar to the firewalls of the 90s in that they’re directly connected to servers (instances, in cloud architecture terms). If this first layer is penetrated, control of the associated security group is exposed. Layer 2: Network Access Control Lists (NACLs) Network Access Control Lists (NACLs) are used to provide AWS and Azure cloud security. Each NACL is connected to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in AWS or VNet in Azure and controls all instances of that VPC or VNet. Centralized NACLs hold both allow and deny rules and make cloud security posture much stronger than Layer 1, making Layer 2 essential for cloud security compliance. Layer 3: Cloud vendor security solution Cloud security is a shared responsibility between the customer and the vendor, and today’s vendors include their own solutions, which must be integrated into the platform as a whole. For example, Microsoft’s Azure Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), a next-generation secure internet gateway, acts like a wall between the cloud itself and the internet. Layer 4: Third-party cloud security services Traditional firewall vendors, like solutions from Check Point (CloudGuard) and Palo Alto Networks (VM-Series), need to be integrated as well. These third parties create firewalls that stand between the public clouds and the outside world. They develop segmentation for the cloud’s inner perimeter like an on-premise network. This fourth layer is key for infrastructure built to defend against the most difficult hybrid cloud security challenges . Schedule a Demo Why AlgoSec AlgoSec Cloud offering provides application-based risk identification and security policy management across the multi-cloud estate. As organizations adopt cloud strategies and migrate applications to take advantage of cloud economies of scale, they face increased complexity and risk. Security controls and network architectures from leading cloud vendors are distinct and do not provide unified central cloud management. Cloud network security under one unified umbrella AlgoSec Cloud offering enables effective security management of the various security control layers across the multi-cloud estate. AlgoSec offers instant visibility, risk assessment, and central policy management , enabling a unified and secure security control posture, proactively detecting misconfigurations. Continuous visibility AlgoSec provides holistic visibility for all of your cloud accounts assets and security controls. Risk management Proactively detect misconfigurations to protect cloud assets, including cloud instances, databases, and serverless functions. Identify risky rules as well as their last usage date and confidently remove them. Tighten overall network security by mapping network risks to applications affected by these risks. Central management of security policies Manage network security controls, such as security groups and Azure Firewalls, in one system across multiple clouds, accounts, regions, and VPC/ VNETs. Manage similar security controls in a single security policy so you can save time and prevent misconfigurations. Policy cleanup As cloud security groups are constantly adjusted, they can rapidly bloat. This makes it difficult to maintain, increasing potential risk. With CloudFlow’s advanced rule cleanup capabilities, you can easily identify unused rules and remove them with confidence. Schedule a Demo Select a size What is cloud network security? How does cloud network security work? The benefits of cloud network security Cloud network security challenges Key layers for cloud security Why AlgoSec Get the latest insights from the experts 6 best practices to stay secure in the hybrid cloud Read more The enterprise guide to hybrid network management Read more Multi-Cloud Security Network Policy and Configuration Management Read more Choose a better way to manage your network

View AlgoSec s press releases to stay on top of the latest company announcements Press releases Filter by release year AlgoSec Security Management Solution A33.20 removes network security change friction across hybrid and multi-cloud networks January 22, 2026 The new capabilities empower teams to move faster with clarity, control, and business-aligned risk prioritization 2026 AlgoSec’s Horizon Platform Fuels Company Growth and Global Application-Centric Security September 9, 2025 A gross dollar retention rate of over 90% and 36% year-over-year new business growth highlight adoption across industries 2025 AlgoSec Security Management solution A33.10 delivers new compliance reporting and precise discovery of application connectivity May 20, 2025 The new product version release provides extended multi-cloud hybrid network visibility, reduces risk exposure and addresses new compliance regulations in a unified platform 2024 AlgoSec Wins SC Award for Best Security Company, Global InfoSec Award for Best Service Cybersecurity Company May 14, 2025 These award wins follow a year of double-digit year-on-year annual recurring revenue growth and the launch of the AlgoSec Horizon Platform 2024 AlgoSec’s 2025 State of Network Security Report Reveals Growing Adoption of Zero-Trust Architecture and Multi-Cloud Environments April 3, 2025 Annual vendor-agnostic research found businesses continue to prioritize multi-cloud environments, with Cisco, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet leading the way 2024 AlgoSec Achieves Strong Growth in 2024, Expands Customer Partnerships and Services Driven by Application-Centric Vision March 20, 2025 Continued growth underscores AlgoSec’s commitment to innovation and leadership in application-centric security to drive business value 2024 AlgoSec Launches AlgoSec Horizon, its Most Advanced Application-Centric Security Platform for Converging Cloud and On-Premise Environments February 11, 2025 AlgoSec Horizon platform empowers organizations to seamlessly secure applications across complex, converging cloud and on-premise network environments with AI-driven visibility, automation and risk mitigation 2024 AlgoSec Wins Two Cisco Partnership Awards, Recognizing the Value for Securing Application Connectivity Across Hybrid Networks November 20, 2024 Cisco awards AlgoSec with EMEA Co-Sell Partner of the Year and Cisco Meraki Marketplace Tech Partner of the Month based on the company’s continued innovation and dedication to application security 2024 AlgoSec launches its AI-powered Security Platform, to securely manage application-centric connectivity and remediate risk in real time September 25, 2024 The new release deploys advanced AI for fast and accurate application discovery, provides clear visualization and mapping of application connectivity and potential security risks in complex hybrid environments 2024 2023 AlgoSec Security Management Solution A33.20 removes network security change friction across hybrid and multi-cloud networks Date The new capabilities empower teams to move faster with clarity, control, and business-aligned risk prioritization AlgoSec’s Horizon Platform Fuels Company Growth and Global Application-Centric Security Date A gross dollar retention rate of over 90% and 36% year-over-year new business growth highlight adoption across industries AlgoSec Security Management solution A33.10 delivers new compliance reporting and precise discovery of application connectivity Date The new product version release provides extended multi-cloud hybrid network visibility, reduces risk exposure and addresses new compliance regulations in a unified platform AlgoSec Wins SC Award for Best Security Company, Global InfoSec Award for Best Service Cybersecurity Company Date These award wins follow a year of double-digit year-on-year annual recurring revenue growth and the launch of the AlgoSec Horizon Platform AlgoSec’s 2025 State of Network Security Report Reveals Growing Adoption of Zero-Trust Architecture and Multi-Cloud Environments Date Annual vendor-agnostic research found businesses continue to prioritize multi-cloud environments, with Cisco, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet leading the way AlgoSec Achieves Strong Growth in 2024, Expands Customer Partnerships and Services Driven by Application-Centric Vision Date Continued growth underscores AlgoSec’s commitment to innovation and leadership in application-centric security to drive business value AlgoSec Launches AlgoSec Horizon, its Most Advanced Application-Centric Security Platform for Converging Cloud and On-Premise Environments Date AlgoSec Horizon platform empowers organizations to seamlessly secure applications across complex, converging cloud and on-premise network environments with AI-driven visibility, automation and risk mitigation AlgoSec Wins Two Cisco Partnership Awards, Recognizing the Value for Securing Application Connectivity Across Hybrid Networks Date Cisco awards AlgoSec with EMEA Co-Sell Partner of the Year and Cisco Meraki Marketplace Tech Partner of the Month based on the company’s continued innovation and dedication to application security AlgoSec launches its AI-powered Security Platform, to securely manage application-centric connectivity and remediate risk in real time Date The new release deploys advanced AI for fast and accurate application discovery, provides clear visualization and mapping of application connectivity and potential security risks in complex hybrid environments 2022 AlgoSec Security Management Solution A33.20 removes network security change friction across hybrid and multi-cloud networks Date The new capabilities empower teams to move faster with clarity, control, and business-aligned risk prioritization AlgoSec’s Horizon Platform Fuels Company Growth and Global Application-Centric Security Date A gross dollar retention rate of over 90% and 36% year-over-year new business growth highlight adoption across industries AlgoSec Security Management solution A33.10 delivers new compliance reporting and precise discovery of application connectivity Date The new product version release provides extended multi-cloud hybrid network visibility, reduces risk exposure and addresses new compliance regulations in a unified platform AlgoSec Wins SC Award for Best Security Company, Global InfoSec Award for Best Service Cybersecurity Company Date These award wins follow a year of double-digit year-on-year annual recurring revenue growth and the launch of the AlgoSec Horizon Platform AlgoSec’s 2025 State of Network Security Report Reveals Growing Adoption of Zero-Trust Architecture and Multi-Cloud Environments Date Annual vendor-agnostic research found businesses continue to prioritize multi-cloud environments, with Cisco, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet leading the way AlgoSec Achieves Strong Growth in 2024, Expands Customer Partnerships and Services Driven by Application-Centric Vision Date Continued growth underscores AlgoSec’s commitment to innovation and leadership in application-centric security to drive business value AlgoSec Launches AlgoSec Horizon, its Most Advanced Application-Centric Security Platform for Converging Cloud and On-Premise Environments Date AlgoSec Horizon platform empowers organizations to seamlessly secure applications across complex, converging cloud and on-premise network environments with AI-driven visibility, automation and risk mitigation AlgoSec Wins Two Cisco Partnership Awards, Recognizing the Value for Securing Application Connectivity Across Hybrid Networks Date Cisco awards AlgoSec with EMEA Co-Sell Partner of the Year and Cisco Meraki Marketplace Tech Partner of the Month based on the company’s continued innovation and dedication to application security AlgoSec launches its AI-powered Security Platform, to securely manage application-centric connectivity and remediate risk in real time Date The new release deploys advanced AI for fast 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Annual vendor-agnostic research found businesses continue to prioritize multi-cloud environments, with Cisco, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet leading the way AlgoSec’s 2025 State of Network Security Report Reveals Growing Adoption of Zero-Trust Architecture and Multi-Cloud Environments Annual vendor-agnostic research found businesses continue to prioritize multi-cloud environments, with Cisco, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet leading the way April 3, 2025 Speak to one of our experts RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ, April 3, 2025 – Global cybersecurity leader AlgoSec has released its annual ‘The State of Network Security Report’, providing a comprehensive and objective, vendor-agnostic analysis of today’s network security landscape by identifying key market trends, highlighting in demand solutions and technologies and the most popular strategies being adopted by security professionals. The report identifies significant shifts in cloud platform adoption, deployment of firewalls and Software- Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), as well as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) implementation and AI. Based on comparative findings from 2024 and 2025, AlgoSec’s research includes responses from security, network and cloud professionals across 28 countries and evaluates market leaders including Cisco, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Check Point, Palo Alto Networks and more. Key findings from the report include: Security visibility gaps are driving a shift in security management - 71% of security teams struggle with visibility, which is delaying threat detection and response. The lack of insight into application connectivity, security policies and dependencies are proving to be a significant risk Multi-cloud and cloud firewalls are now standard – Businesses continue to adopt multi-cloud environments, with Azure becoming the most widely used platform in 2025. Firewall and SD-WAN adoption grow despite complexity – Multi-vendor strategies make firewall deployment more challenging. In terms of customer base, Palo Alto Networks took the lead, but Fortinet’s NGFW is gaining traction. SD-WAN adoption jumped, with Fortinet rising from 19.1% in 2024 to 25.8% in 2025. Zero-trust and SASE gain momentum – Zero-trust awareness is at an all-time high, with 56% of businesses fully or partially implementing it, though 20% are still in the learning phase. SASE adoption is also growing, with Zscaler leading at 35%, while Netskope has gained 15% market share. AI and automation are reshaping security – AI-driven security tools are improving real-time threat detection, but implementation and privacy concerns remain a challenge. Automation is now critical, with application connectivity automation ranked as the top priority for minimizing risk and downtime. “As businesses expand their digital footprints across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, securing network infrastructure has become a top challenge,” said Eran Shiff, VP of Product at AlgoSec. “We are seeing a major shift toward automation, orchestration and risk mitigation as key security priorities. Adoption of SD-WAN and SASE continues to rise, while awareness of AI-driven security and zero-trust principles is stronger than ever.” The full report can be accessed here. About AlgoSec AlgoSec, a global cybersecurity leader, empowers organizations to securely accelerate application delivery up to 10 times faster by automating application connectivity and security policy across the hybrid network environment. With two decades of expertise securing hybrid networks, over 2200 of the worlds most complex organizations trust AlgoSec to help secure their most critical workloads. AlgoSec Horizon platform utilizes advanced AI capabilities, enabling users to automatically discover and identify their business applications across multi-clouds, and remediate risks more effectively. It serves as a single source for visibility into security and compliance issues across the hybrid network environment, to ensure ongoing adherence to internet security standards, industry, and internal regulations. Additionally, organizations can leverage intelligent change automation to streamline security change processes, thus improving security and agility. Learn how AlgoSec enables application owners, information security experts, SecOps and cloud security teams to deploy business applications faster while maintaining security at www.algosec.com .

Learn from expert-crafted firewall ruleset examples and best practices. Optimize your security posture with actionable guidance and improve your firewall configurations. Firewall ruleset examples & policy best practices Securing your network: guide to firewall rules examples Cyberattacks continue to rise globally as malicious actors tirelessly develop sophisticated tools and techniques to break through networks and security systems. With the digitalization of operations today and the increasing adoption of remote working, crucial business activities such as communication, data storage, and data transmission are now primarily done digitally. While this brings numerous advantages – allowing easy usability and scalability, enhancing collaboration, and reducing the risks of data loss – businesses have to deal with various security risks, such as data breaches and cyberattacks from hackers. Organizations must provide adequate network security to keep sensitive data safe and ensure their network is usable, trustworthy, and optimized for maximum productivity across all channels. Schedule a Demo Firewalls and your network Your network and systems (software and hardware) comprise the IT infrastructure through which you operate and manage your enterprise’s IT services. Every IT system regularly receives and transmits internet traffic, and businesses must ensure that only trusted and authorized traffic penetrates their network to maintain security. All unwanted traffic must be prevented from accessing your operating system as it poses a huge risk to network security. Malicious actors attempting to penetrate your system often send virus-carrying inbound traffic to your network. However, with an effective firewall, you can filter all traffic and block unwanted and harmful traffic from penetrating your network. A firewall serves as a barrier between computers, networks, and other systems in your IT landscape, preventing unauthorized traffic from penetrating. Schedule a Demo What are firewall rules? The firewall is your first line of defense in network security against hackers, malware, and other threats. Firewall rules refer to access control mechanisms that stipulate how a firewall device should handle incoming and outgoing traffic in your network. They are instructions given to firewalls to help them know when to block or allow communication in your network. These instructions include destination or source IP addresses, protocols, port numbers, and services. A firewall ruleset is formed from a set of rules and it defines a unit of execution and sharing for the rules. Firewall rulesets typically include: A source address A source port A destination address A destination port A decision on whether to block or permit network traffic meeting those address and port criteria Schedule a Demo What are the most common firewall ruleset examples? There are thousands of rulesets that can be used to control how a firewall deals with network traffic. Some firewall rules are more common than others, as they tend to be fundamental when building a secure network. Here are some examples of firewall rules for common use cases: Enable internet access for only one computer in the local network and block access for all others This rule gives only one computer in the local network access to the internet, and blocks all others from accessing the internet. This example requires obtaining the IP address of the computer being granted access (i.e., source IP address) and the TCP protocol type. Two rules will be created: a Permit rule and a Deny rule. The permit rule allows the chosen computer the required access, while the deny rule blocks all other computers in the local network from internet access. Prevent direct access from the public network to the firewall This rule blocks access to your firewall from any public network, to protect it from hackers who can modify or delete your rules if they access your firewall directly. Once hackers manipulate your rules, unwanted traffic will penetrate your network, leading to data breaches or an interruption in operation. A Deny rule for any attempt to access the firewall from public networks will be created and enabled. Block internet access for only one computer in the local network This rule comes in handy if you do not want a specific computer in the local network to access the internet. You will need to create a Deny rule in which you set the IP address of the computer you wish to block from the internet, and the TCP protocol type. Block access to a specific website from a local network In this scenario we want to configure our firewall to deny access to a particular website from a local network. We first obtain the IP address or addresses of the website we wish to deny access to, and then create a Deny rule. One way to obtain a website’s IP address is by running the special command ‘nslookup ’ in your operating system’s command line (Windows, Linux, or others). Since websites can run on HTTP and HTTPS, we must create a Deny rule for each protocol type and indicate the destination IP address(es). Thus, the local network will be unable to access both the HTTP and HTTPS versions of the website. Allow a particular LAN computer to access only one specific website This example gives a local computer access to only one specified website. We obtain the IP address of the destination website and the source IP address (of the local computer). We create a Permit rule for the source IP address and the destination website, and a Deny rule for the source IP address and other websites, taking the TCP protocol types into account. Allow internet access to and from the local network using specific protocols (services) only This example allows your LAN computer to access the internet using specific protocols, such as SMTP, FTP, IPv6, SSH, IPv4, POP3, DNS, and IMAP; and blocks all other traffic Here we first create an “Allow” rule for the “Home segment,” where we use the value “Any” for the Source and Destination IP addresses. In the Protocol field provided, we choose the protocols through which our local computer can access the internet. Lastly, we create Deny rules where we enter the value “Any” for the Source and Destination IP addresses. In the Protocol field, we set the values TCP and UDP, thus blocking internet access for unspecified protocols. Allow remote control of your router This rule enables you to access, view, or change your Router Settings remotely (over the internet). Typically, access to routers from the internet is blocked by default. To set this rule, you need specific data such as your router username, WAN IP address, and password. It is crucial to note that this setting is unsafe for individuals who use public IP addresses. A similar use case is a rule enabling users to check a device’s availability on their network by allowing ICMP ping requests. Block access from a defined internet subnet or an external network You can set a rule that blocks access to your network from a defined internet subnet or an external network. This rule is especially important if you observed repeated attempts to access your router from unknown IP addresses within the same subnet. In this case, set a Deny rule for IP addresses of the subnet attempting to access your WAN port. Schedule a Demo What are examples of best practices for setting up firewall rules? It is expedient to follow best practices during firewall configuration to protect your network from intruders and hackers. Deploying industry-standard rules when setting up firewalls can improve the security of your network and system components. Below are examples of the best practices for setting up firewall rules. Document firewall rules across multiple devices Documenting all firewall rule configurations and updating them frequently across various devices is one of the best practices for staying ahead of attacks. New rules should be included based on security needs, and irrelevant rules should be deactivated to reduce the possibility of a loophole in your network. With documentation, administrators can review the rules frequently and make any required changes whenever a vulnerability is detected. Configure your firewall to block traffic by default Using a block or deny-by-default policy is the safest way to deal with suspicious traffic. Enterprises must be sure that all types of traffic entering their network are identified and trusted to avoid security threats. In addition, whenever a vulnerability arises in the system, blocking by default helps prevent hackers from taking advantage of loopholes before administrators can respond. Monitor firewall logs Monitoring firewall logs on a regular basis helps maintain network security. Administrators can quickly and easily track traffic flow across your network, identify suspicious activity, and implement effective solutions in a timely manner. Organizations with highly sophisticated infrastructure can aggregate logs from routers, servers, switches, and other components to a centralized platform for monitoring. Group firewall rules to minimize complexity and enhance performance Depending on the complexity of your network, you may need thousands of rules to achieve effective network security. This complicates your firewall rules and can be a huge challenge for administrators. However, by grouping rules based on similar characteristics like protocols, TCP ports, IP addresses, etc., you simplify them and boost overall performance. Implement least-privileged access In any organization, employees have various roles and may require different data to execute their tasks efficiently. As part of network security practices, it’s important to ensure each employee’s access to the network is restricted to the minimum privileges needed to execute their tasks. Only users who require access to a particular service or resource should have it, thus preventing unnecessary exposure of data. This practice significantly minimizes the risk of intentional and accidental unauthorized access to sensitive data. Schedule a Demo How do firewall policies differ from a network security policy? A network security policy outlines the overall rules, principles, and procedures for maintaining security on a computer network. The policy sets out the basic architecture of an organization’s network security environment, including details of how the security policies are implemented. The overall objective of network security policy is to protect a computer network against internal and external threats. Firewall policies are a sub-group of network security policies, and refer to policies that relate specifically to firewalls. Firewall policies have to do with rules for how firewalls should handle inbound and outbound traffic to ensure that malicious actors do not penetrate the network. A firewall policy determines the types of traffic that should flow through your network based on your organization’s network and information security policies. Schedule a Demo How can AlgoSec help with managing your firewall rules? Proper firewall configuration with effective rules and practices is crucial to building a formidable network security policy. Organizations must follow industry standards in configuring firewall rules and protecting their IT landscape from intruders and malicious actors. Firewall rules require regular review and update to maintain maximum protection against evolving threats and changing security demands. For many organizations, keeping up with these fast-paced security demands can be challenging, and that’s where AlgoSec comes in. AlgoSec helps with managing your firewall rules to ensure your network enjoys round-the-clock protection against internal and external security threats. From installation to maintenance, we assist you in setting up a resilient firewall that operates on the safest rulesets to keep your network safe against harmful traffic. We have dedicated tools that take away the burden of aggregating and analyzing logs from the components in your network, including computers, routers, web servers, switches, etc. We determine which new rules are needed for effective firewall network security policy management based on data from your firewall devices and security trends. AlgoSec will ensure your firewall stays compliant with best practices by applying our automated auditing solution, which identifies gaps in your firewall rules and enables you to remediate them before hackers take advantage of such loopholes. Schedule a Demo Select a size Securing your network: guide to firewall rules examples Firewalls and your network What are firewall rules? What are the most common firewall ruleset examples? What are examples of best practices for setting up firewall rules? How do firewall policies differ from a network security policy? How can AlgoSec help with managing your firewall rules? Get the latest insights from the experts Use these six best practices to simplify compliance and risk White paper Learn how AlgoSec can help you pass PCI-DSS Audits and ensure Solution overview See how this customer improved compliance readiness and risk Case study Choose a better way to manage your network

Learn how firewall rules secure your network from cyber threats. Explore types, best practices, and management strategies to optimize your firewall security. Firewall rules & requirements (inbound vs. outbound) How to secure your network from threats? The cybersecurity landscape is increasingly volatile, with a massive rise in cyberattacks. Malicious cyber actors are relentlessly scouring the internet for vulnerable networks. Any company that wants to keep its network secure must implement a network security solution – a firewall. Cyber attackers keep evolving and finding ways to compromise security systems. As a result, companies need to implement and maintain security best practices. Installing a firewall is not enough; you have to take a step further to ensure the firewall rules are up-to-date and properly managed. If you want to learn how firewall rules work and secure your network from threats, keep reading! This article covers everything you need to know, including types of firewall rules, examples of firewall rules, and firewall rule best practices. Schedule a Demo What are firewall rules? Firewall rules are the major components of firewall policies that determine which types of traffic your firewall allows in and out of your network, and which are blocked. They are access control mechanisms that firewalls use to protect your network from being infiltrated by malicious or unauthorized traffic. Firewall rules examine the control information in individual packets, and either block or allow them based on a set of rules or predetermined criteria. These predetermined criteria or rule components include a source IP address, a destination IP address, ports, protocol type (TCP, UDP, or ICMP), and services. Firewall rules control how the firewalls prevent malicious programs and unauthorized traffic from compromising your network. So properly managing your firewall rules across your infrastructures is instrumental to securing your network from threats. Schedule a Demo How do firewall rules work? A firewall examines each incoming and outgoing data packet and matches it against the firewall rules. A packet is allowed to go through to its destination if it matches one of the rules that allow traffic. If a packet matches none of the rulesor hit a rule with deny, it is rejected. The rejection or mismatch is reported if the firewall is configured to do so. Firewalls are programmed to work with access control lists (ACLs). ACLs contain lists of permissions that determine network traffic that is allowed or blocked. An access control list details the conditions a data packet must meet before the ACL action (allow, deny, or reject) can be executed. To help you understand how firewall rules work, here’s a practical example: if a firewall rule states that traffic to destination N should be allowed only if it is from IP address M, the firewall will check the packet source and destination of incoming packets, and allow packets that meet the M & N rule to go through. If its packet’s destination is N but its source is unidentified or different from M, it is blocked. Packets are checked against firewall rules from top to bottom, and the first rule that matches the packet overrides the other rules below. The last rule is Deny Rest. This means that all packets not expressly permitted by the rules are blocked. You can create a firewall rule in pfSense. pfSense is an open-source firewall and router with unified threat management, load balancing, multi-WAN, a DNS Resolver, and a VPN. It supports a wide range of network technologies, including IPv4 & IPv6 addresses and pfBlockerNG. Other firewalls you can use to create firewall rules include Zenarmor, Windows Defender, and iptables. Schedule a Demo Why are firewall rules important? Firewall rules help network administrators to regulate access to networks. With firewall rules, you can determine what is allowed in and out of your network. For example, they prevent dangerous files like worms and viruses from accessing your network and consuming bandwidth. When it comes to protecting devices that operate within your network, firewall rules establish an essential line of defense. Firewalls (and other security measures like endpoint protection and security certifications) prevent malicious actors from accessing and compromising devices connected to your network or operating inside your network’s environment. Firewall rules help you comply with regulatory standards. Depending on your industry, relevant regulatory agencies expect your company to maintain a certain level of security. For example, if your business is located in the EU region or collects personal data of EU citizens, it is mandated to comply with GDPR. Schedule a Demo What are the main types of firewall rules? There are various types of firewall rules. They are categorized based on the type of security architecture under consideration. That being said, here are some of the major types of firewall rules: 1. Access rule As the name implies, this firewall rule blocks or grants access to inbound and outbound traffic based on certain conditions. The source address, destination address, port number, and protocol are key information that the access rule evaluates to determine whether access should be given or denied. 2. Network address translation (NAT) rule NAT helps you hide the original IP address of a private network – enabling you to protect your network. It makes traffic routing easier and smoothens the inflow & outflow of traffic to and from your network. 3. Application level gateways This type of firewall rule enables network administrators to implement policies that protect your internal network. Application-level gateways function as shields or gatekeepers between your internal network and the public internet. Administrators use them to regulate access to public networks, block some sites, limit access to certain content, and regulate devices allowed to access your network. 4. Stateful packet filtering This rule evaluates data packets and filters them against preset conditions. The traffic is denied access if it fails to meet the requirements outlined by the predetermined security criteria. 5. Circle-level gateways Circle-level gateways do not filter individual packets but rather monitor TCP handshakes to determine whether a session is legitimate and the remote system is considered trusted. Consequently, these gateways provide anonymity to your internal network. Schedule a Demo What is an example of a firewall rule? Firewall rules frequently consist of a source address, source port, destination address, destination port, and an action that determines whether to Allow or Deny the packet. In the following firewall ruleset example, the firewall is never directly accessed from the public network. This is because hackers who can directly access the firewall, can modify or delete rules and allow unwanted travel. Source addressSource portDestination addressDestination portAction AnyAny10.10.10.1AnyDenyAnyAny10.10.10.2AnyDeny10.10.10.1AnyAnyAnyDeny10.10.10.2AnyAnyAnyDeny In the following firewall ruleset example, all traffic from the trusted network is allowed out. This ruleset should be placed below the ruleset above. Since firewall rules are checked from top to bottom, specific rules should be placed before rules that are more general. Source addressSource portDestination addressDestination portAction 10.10.10.0AnyAnyAnyAllow Schedule a Demo What are the best ways to manage firewall rules? Effective management of firewall rules is necessary to avoid conflicting configurations and ensure your security infrastructure is powerful enough to ward off malicious attacks. To manage firewall rules better, do the following: ● Maintain proper documentation Properly document policies, rules, and workflows. It’s difficult for your network administrators to stay organized and manage firewall rules without proper documentation. Implement a strict documentation policy that mandates administrators to document policies and configuration changes. This improves visibility and ensures seamless continuity even if a key network operator leaves the company. ● Assign tasks with caution Ensure that only well-trained network operators have the privilege to assign and alter firewall rules. Allowing everyone on your security team to assign and change firewall rules increases the chances of misconfiguration. Giving such a privilege to a select few does the opposite and makes containing mismanagement easier. ● Use a standardized naming convention It’s easy to get confused about which configuration does what. This is more likely to happen where there is no naming convention. To avoid conflicting configurations, name each rule to clarify its purpose. By clearly defining the rules, conflicts can be easily resolved. ● Flag temporary rules Some rules are created to function just for a while – temporary rules. To keep things simple and ‘neat,’ flag temporary rules so they can be eliminated when they are no longer required. ● Order your rules Order rules in a specific pattern. For example, begin with global rules and narrow down to user-specific rules. ● Use a firewall management solution Many administrators use a firewall management and orchestration solution to streamline the firewall rule management process. The solution integrates with your firewall and uses built-in automation for managing firewall settings and configurations from a single dashboard. A firewall management tool helps you automate activities, gain visibility on all firewall rules, optimize firewall rules, remove rule anomalies, generate reports, etc. Schedule a Demo What are the best practices for firewall rules? To ensure your firewall works properly and offers the best security possible, there are some key best practices you have to follow when configuring and managing firewall rules: Review the firewall rules regularly The cyber threat landscape is always changing. Therefore, you must regularly review the firewall rules to ensure they provide optimal security against threats. Reviewing firewall rules helps you to be several steps ahead of malicious cyber actors, remove rule anomalies, and maintain compliance. Cyber attackers are relentlessly devising new ways to compromise security systems, infiltrate networks & subnets, and wreak havoc. You need to update the firewall rules regularly to counter new attacks. Obsolete rules can be maneuvered and the firewall compromised. You have to keep evolving the rules to stay ahead of malicious actors. Remove ineffective, redundant firewall rules. Are there rules that are no longer needed? Are there overlapping rules that are taking up space and confusing your network administrators? Look out for unnecessary configurations and remove them to free up the system and avoid confusion. In addition to helping you keep your network safe, reviewing firewall rules regularly also allows you to maintain compliance with regulatory standards such as HIPAA and GDPR. Keep tabs on firewall logs Keeping an eye on the firewall log helps administrators to monitor traffic flow, identify suspicious activities, and proactively fix challenges. Monitoring firewall logs gives you visibility into your infrastructure, enabling you to get to know your network users and the nature of their activities. Reduce complexity by categorizing firewall rules Make firewall rule structure simple and easy to manage by grouping rules with similar characteristics. This approach reduces configuration complexity, improves ease of administration, and optimizes firewall performance. Implement least-privileged access Do not grant users more privileges than necessary to perform their tasks. This ensures that only an authorized user can create a new rule, change a security policy, or gain access to specific resources. Block high-risk ports Blocking some ports can significantly decrease the risk of a network breach. The following table outlines the ports you should block as recommended by the SANS Institute . The table features services, TCP port, UDP port, port number, and port range. ServicePortPort number NetBIOS in Windows NTTCP and UDP135NetBIOS in Windows NTUDP137 and 138TFTP daemonUDP69HTTP (except to external web services)TCP80SSL (except to external web servers)TCP443Lockd (Linux DoS vulnerability)TCP & UDP4045Common high-order HTTP portsTCP8000, 8080, 8888LDAPTCP & UDP389IMAPTCP143SOCKSTCP1080SNMPUDP161 & 162SyslogUDP514Cisco AUX port (binary)TCP6001NFSTCP & UDP2049X WindowsTCP & UDP6000 – 6255 Schedule a Demo How can AlgoSec help you manage your firewall rules better? Managing firewall rules manually can be overwhelming and time-consuming – especially when dealing with multiple firewall solutions. With the help of a firewall management solution, you easily configure firewall rules and manage configurations from a single dashboard. This is where AlgoSec comes in! AlgoSec’s powerful firewall management solution integrates with your firewalls to deliver unified firewall policy management from a single location, thus streamlining the entire process. With AlgoSec, you can maintain clear visibility of your firewall ruleset, automate the management process, assess risk & optimize rulesets, streamline audit preparation & ensure compliance, and use APIs to access many features through web services. Schedule a Demo Select a size How to secure your network from threats? What are firewall rules? How do firewall rules work? Why are firewall rules important? What are the main types of firewall rules? What is an example of a firewall rule? What are the best ways to manage firewall rules? What are the best practices for firewall rules? How can AlgoSec help you manage your firewall rules better? Get the latest insights from the experts Use these six best practices to simplify compliance and risk mitigation with the AlgoSec platform White paper Learn how AlgoSec can help you pass PCI-DSS Audits and ensure continuous compliance Solution overview See how this customer improved compliance readiness and risk management with AlgoSec Case study Choose a better way to manage your network