A firewall is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules.
Firewalls have been a first line of defense in network security for over 25 years. They establish a barrier between secured and controlled internal networks that can be trusted and untrusted outside networks, such as the Internet.
Cisco ASA is a security device that combines firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention, and virtual private network (VPN) capabilities. It provides proactive threat defense that stops attacks before they spread through the network.An ASA is valuable and flexible in that it can be used as a security solution for both small and large networks.
The Cisco ASA 5500 series is Cisco’s follow up of the Cisco PIX 500 series firewall. However, the ASA is not just a pure hardware firewall. In brief, the Cisco ASA is a security device that combines firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention, and virtual private network (VPN) capabilities. It provides proactive threat defense that stops attacks before they spread through the network. Indeed, it’s the whole package, so to speak.
Beyond being a firewall, the Cisco ASA can do the following and more:
- antivirus
- antispam
- IDS/IPS engine
- VPN device
- SSL device
- content inspection