Next Generation Firewall using IPS & IDS

Abstract

The increasing complexity and frequency of cyberattacks have exposed vulnerabilities in traditional firewall systems, which struggle to defend against sophisticated, multi-layered threats. As a response to this growing challenge, Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) integrate Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) to offer improved network security by enabling deep packet inspection, anomaly detection, and advanced traffic control. This paper explores the integration of open-source Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform Wazuh with NGFWs to enhance real-time detection and prevention of cyber threats. The paper focuses primarily on the literature review of existing NGFW, IDS, and IPS technologies, comparing their performance and scalability. Additionally, we discuss how Wazuh, a scalable and cost-effective SIEM solution, can be integrated with NGFW to bolster network defenses and provide comprehensive threat monitoring. The discussion also addresses future developments, particularly in extending these solutions to mobile device monitoring within corporate networks, where BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies pose new security challenges. The balance between corporate security and individual privacy will also be discussed in the context of mobile threat detection and data protection.

Introduction

The document addresses the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks, highlighting the limitations of traditional firewalls and the need for advanced multi-layered defense systems. It discusses the evolution of firewalls from basic packet filtering to Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) that integrate Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), application filtering, and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) for enhanced real-time threat detection and response.

The role of IDS and IPS is emphasized as essential components in detecting and mitigating sophisticated threats, with IDS providing alerts and IPS actively blocking malicious traffic. The paper introduces Wazuh, an open-source Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform that complements NGFWs by aggregating and analyzing logs for comprehensive threat monitoring, compliance, and incident response, especially benefiting organizations with limited budgets.

With the rise of remote work and BYOD policies, mobile device monitoring becomes critical, presenting new security challenges. Integrating Wazuh with NGFWs helps address these vulnerabilities while balancing privacy concerns.

The literature review covers the technical evolution of firewalls, the importance of IDS/IPS, and the increasing role of SIEM systems like Wazuh in providing centralized security management. It also discusses how Wazuh’s integration with NGFWs enhances automated threat detection, response, and regulatory compliance.

Emerging trends focus on AI and machine learning in threat detection, expanding security solutions to cloud and mobile environments. The methodology section outlines the architecture and steps for integrating Wazuh with NGFWs, emphasizing real-time monitoring, alerting, and performance metrics such as detection accuracy and response time to optimize cybersecurity defenses.

Conclusion

As the sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks continue to rise, traditional security solutions are no longer sufficient for safeguarding corporate networks. Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), combined with Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), offer a more comprehensive defense by integrating real-time traffic monitoring, deep packet inspection, and automated threat response capabilities. However, for many organizations, these capabilities alone are not enough to combat today’s dynamic threat landscape.This paper has explored how the integration of Wazuh, an open-source Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform, with NGFW systems can significantly enhance security by providing centralized log management, advanced correlation, and real-time alerting. The combination of NGFW and Wazuh creates a multi-layered defense that not only identifies and prevents malicious network activities but also correlates logs from various sources to provide a holistic view of potential threats. Wazuh’s adaptability and cost-efficiency make it an excellent choice for organizations seeking a scalable, robust security solution without the financial burden of proprietary SIEM systems.Through the integration of real-time log analysis, file integrity monitoring (FIM), and vulnerability assessment, Wazuh enhances NGFW capabilities, enabling organizations to detect multi-stage attacks and respond promptly. Although some challenges exist—such as resource consumption, setup complexity, and ensuring regulatory compliance—these can be mitigated with proper configuration and resource management. The successful implementation of NGFW and Wazuh solutions represents a promising approach to modern cybersecurity, providing organizations with the tools needed to address both current and future threats.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Apoorva Karambelkar, Mr. Shivam Gupta, Ms. Vidhi Agarwal, Mrs. Sonia Behra. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.