Palo Alto Network Security NGFW

What differentiates Palo Alto Network Security NGFW from other similar products?

Single-Pass Parallel Processing (SP3) Architecture What it is: Palo Alto uses a unique Single-Pass engine for traffic processing, combined with Parallel Processing hardware. Benefit: Traffic is scanned once for all features (AV, threat, app-ID, content-ID), reducing latency and boosting performance.

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

Why App-ID? Unlike traditional firewalls that rely on ports and protocols, App-ID: Identifies applications regardless of the port, encryption (like SSL/TLS), or evasive tactics. Classifies apps in real-time, even within commonly used ports like HTTPS. Enforces policies at the application level—not just at the IP or port level.

What do you dislike most about this product?

There is nothing to be dislike about this product.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

Understand Your Network and App Environment Why: Palo Alto’s strength is in application-layer visibility (App-ID). Recommendation: Before deploying, inventory your current applications, user behaviors, and traffic patterns. This helps in building effective security policies from Day 1.

What differentiates Palo Alto Network Security NGFW from other similar products?

Palo Alto Networks NGFW stands out due to its application-aware firewalling with deep packet inspection, integrated threat intelligence (via WildFire) for real-time threat prevention, and a single-pass architecture that combines multiple security functions—like URL filtering, IPS, and malware prevention—without sacrificing performance. Additionally, its Panorama centralized management and strong focus on Zero Trust and cloud security integration differentiate it from many competitors.

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

My favorite aspect of Palo Alto Networks NGFW is its ability to accurately identify and control applications regardless of port, protocol, or evasive tactics, enabling precise and effective security policies that minimize false positives while maintaining high network performance.

What do you dislike most about this product?

What I dislike most about Palo Alto Networks NGFW is its complexity in policy management and configuration, which can lead to a steep learning curve for new users and sometimes makes ongoing administration time-consuming without advanced automation tools.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

If you’re considering Palo Alto Networks NGFW, I recommend investing time in proper training and familiarizing yourself with its management platform to fully leverage its capabilities. Also, plan for ongoing policy review and optimization to keep performance and security balanced. It’s a strong choice for organizations needing deep visibility and comprehensive threat prevention, especially when integrated into a broader security ecosystem.

What differentiates Palo Alto Network Security NGFW from other similar products?

Palo Alto NGFW can spot apps and threats more accurately, even in encrypted traffic. It uses one fast system to handle everything at once, so it's quicker and more efficient. It works well with other Palo Alto tools to give full protection across your whole network.

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

My favorite aspect is the App-ID technology—it identifies applications by behavior, not just port or protocol. That means it can control traffic more precisely and stop sneaky threats that try to hide like normal apps. It's smart and practical.

What do you dislike most about this product?

It's a bit hard to set up at first and needs trained people. Some features can feel too advanced if you're new to firewalls. It also costs more than some other options.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

Make sure your team knows firewalls or get some training. Take time to plan setup so you get the best security. Try a demo first to see if it fits your needs.