Why Indian Enterprises Need NGFW (Next-Gen Firewalls)

In our interconnected world, cybersecurity is not only an IT issue; it is a broad issue, too. Cyberattacks have increased sharply in India, targeting enterprises across sectors. Outside traditional border-based defence models, Indian businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations, are now prime targets for ransomware, phishing, supply chain attacks, and zero-day exploits. The answer? Enhanced security frameworks. Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) provide the backbone of the needed defence. 

In an age of rapid change driven by digital transformation, industries must consider NGFWs as essential, not optional. 

The Evolving Threat Landscape in India 

Cyberattacks in India are on the rise. As reported by CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), more than 1.4 million incidents of cybersecurity were reported in the year 2023. Some of these included:

1. Ransomware attacks on Banking and Healthcare.

2. Data breaches involving customer PII (Personally Identifiable Information).

3. Cloud platforms are being attacked due to misconfiguration.

4. Breach of the supply chain that involved software vendors. 

Indian businesses are rapidly undergoing digital transformations. However, the security frameworks have not adapted to these changes. The traditional firewalls, which rely on port, protocol and IP filtering, will struggle against more advanced threats such as polymorphic malware, encrypted traffic exploits or employee sabotage/insider threats. 

This is where NGFWs come into play. 

What Is an NGFW? 

A Next-Generation Firewall is not just an upgrade to a traditional firewall — it’s a comprehensive, intelligent security appliance that goes beyond basic packet filtering. An NGFW offers:

1. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).

2. Application-Level Filtering.

3. Integrated Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS).

4. TLS/SSL Encrypted Traffic Inspection.

5. Advanced Malware Detection.

6. User Identity Integration with AD or IAM solutions.

7. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) functionalities. 

NGFWs enable granular control, detecting and blocking threats in real-time based on both network behavior and user context. 

Why Indian Enterprises Must Adopt NGFWs Now 

1. The Expansion of Encrypted Web Traffic 

Executable web components are masked under HTTPS protocols, which constitutes over 85% of web traffic as of now. Moreover, legacy firewalls lack the capability of decrypting packets to analyse. As a result, these firewalls, NGFWs, are capable of detecting hidden cyber threats via SSL/TLS inspection. 

2. Remote Working Models   

Work-from-home flexibility has evolved into a hybrid model. Employees are now able to access company resources from personal gadgets, log into unsecured networks outside of the organisation’s infrastructure. Additionally, NGFWs allow enforcement of policies based on user identities, device types and application metrics, even outside the office walls. 

3. ZTA (Zero Trust Architecture)   

ZTA framework operates on the principle of “no one is trusted by default”, meaning even internal users are not exempt. Hence, the principles of adaptive risk mitigation, micro-segmentation, zero-day exploit-inspection, and context-aware access NGFWs grant ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access).  

4. Targeted Ransomware Attack Escalation   

In 2023, India was one of the top five countries suffering ransomware attacks. Businesses are increasingly becoming the focal point of sophisticated targeted cyberattacks as the shift from mass attacks accelerates. In conjunction with deploying NGFWs, these organisations receive penetrative network security by leveraging real-time threat intelligence and behavioural anomaly detection. 

5. Regulatory Pressure 

Due to the legal mandate concerning data privacy, businesses have to comply with the DPDP Act, RBI, and even SEBI mandates on cybersecurity. NGFWs help in compliance through:

1. Data Loss Prevention DLP.

2. Access Control

3. Logging and Audit Trails.

4. Threat Response Documentation. 

This helps in retaining compliance for Indian enterprises while safeguarding customer and operational information. 

Key Features Enterprises Should Look for in NGFWs 

While choosing an NGFW, Indian enterprises need to consider:   

1. Application Awareness: The capability to identify, manage, or allow/block particular applications such as Dropbox, Zoom, or TeamViewer.  

2. User-ID & Role-Based Policies: Connects with Active Directory or IAM to implement rules for user levels based on roles or user access.  

3. Threat Intelligence Feeds: Multiple intelligence sources providing real-time updates on global threat vectors.  

4. SSL Decryption: Inbound and outbound SSL traffic inspection with low-latency SLA.  

5. Advanced Threat Prevention: Threat detection by sandboxing, heuristic scanning, and using AI/ML tools.  

6. Cloud-Native Integration: Integration with AWS, Azure, GCP and traffic analysis of SaaS apps. 

Deployment Options for Indian Enterprises 

According to their architecture and scope, NGFWs can be positioned:  

1. At the boundary for centralised supervision (Gateway NGFWs).  

2. Within branch offices for distributed network security management.   

3. Inside data centres for internal traffic inspection and monitoring.   

4. As virtual firewalls in cloud-based infrastructures.   

5. In conjunction with SD-WANs for secure and optimised inter-branch connectivity.   

Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Check Point, Cisco, and Sophos are some vendors that provide country-specific NGFWs along with local support and threat intelligence data for India. 

Also Read:- Next-Gen Firewall vs Traditional Firewall: What Should You Deploy in 2025?

Cost vs. Consequence 

Most Indian companies are reluctant to invest because of the initial cost of NGFWs. However, when one considers the average data breach cost in India, which is ₹17.9 crores per incident (IBM 2023), investing in NGFWs makes sense. Moreover, cloud-based NGFWs now offer subscription models with flexible pricing, making it possible for even mid-sized companies to implement them. 

Conclusion 

India considers cybersecurity to be a key strategic concern. With the increasing use of AI, automation, and multi-vector techniques from cyber attackers, Indian businesses are no longer able to depend on legacy defences. The adaptability, intelligence, and scalability required to navigate this evolving threat landscape are provided by NGFWs.

FAQs

1.Where can I purchase a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) for my enterprise in India?

You can buy industry-leading NGFW solutions through trusted providers like BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd., which offers expert consultation, deployment, and after-sales support tailored for Indian businesses.

2.What makes BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. the right partner for NGFW solutions?

BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. specializes in delivering Next-Generation Firewall solutions, ensuring advanced cybersecurity, seamless integration, and compliance expertise—helping enterprises effectively address evolving security threats.

3. How do I get a quote or consultation for NGFW deployment from BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd.?

Simply reach out to BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. via their official website or contact channels for a customized quote or a free security consultation tailored to your organization’s unique needs.

4.What brands of NGFW does BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. offer and support?

BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. partners with top NGFW manufacturers, providing a range of solutions from leading brands to meet varied enterprise requirements and budgets.

5.Can BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. assist with installation and ongoing support for NGFWs?

Yes, BM Infotrade Pvt. Ltd. provides end-to-end services including solution design, installation, configuration, staff training, and ongoing technical support—making them a one-stop shop for your NGFW needs.