Does a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) protect against DDoS attacks at L3/L4 levels?
What is the Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert device (6 x 1Gbps RJ-45; 2 x 10Gbps SFP+) and what threats is it designed to protect against?
DDoS Protection at L3/L4 Levels with Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
DDoS attack protection at L3/L4 levels is one of the key functions of Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW). These devices provide enhanced security capabilities at the network and transport layers of the OSI model, including packet filtering, state inspection, and intrusion detection. At the same time, modern NGFWs, such as the Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert, provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats through a combination of traditional firewall functions and advanced security mechanisms.
Table of Contents
- NGFW Protection Against DDoS Attacks at L3/L4 Levels
- What is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)
- How NGFW Works Against DDoS Attacks
- Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Device
- Technical Specifications and Capabilities
- Protection Against Specific Threats
- Comparison with Traditional Firewalls
- Practical Application and Recommendations
NGFW Protection Against DDoS Attacks at L3/L4 Levels
Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) provide effective protection against DDoS attacks at L3/L4 levels through the integration of several advanced security mechanisms. According to research, NGFW include Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) that can detect and block distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, brute-force password attacks, and exploitation of vulnerabilities source.
At the L3 (network) level, NGFW perform traffic filtering based on IP addresses, routing verification, and detection of anomalies in network behavior. At the L4 (transport) level, the device controls TCP/UDP protocols, ports, connection states, and detects resource exhaustion attempts through SYN flood or UDP flood attacks.
It’s important to note that NGFW are specifically designed to protect against DDoS attacks of any complexity and scale, preventing the unavailability of websites and network infrastructure source. However, it should be understood that some complex DDoS attacks, especially asymmetric and computational ones, may require additional protection at higher levels of the OSI model.
What is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)
A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is an advanced network security device that combines traditional firewall functions with enhanced threat detection and prevention mechanisms. Unlike its predecessors, NGFW are designed for in-depth inspection and control of network traffic, ensuring secure and compliant data transmission across the network source.
Key characteristics of NGFW include:
- Packet filtering based on IP addresses and ports
- Network and Port Address Translation (NAT)
- Stateful inspection
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) support
- Application control at L7
- Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
- Antivirus protection
- Web filtering
As explained by the Mozilla Developer Network, the key difference between NGFW and traditional firewalls lies in their ability to operate at multiple levels of the OSI model, which allows for improved filtering of network traffic that depends on packet content.
How NGFW Works Against DDoS Attacks
NGFW use a multi-layered approach to protect against DDoS attacks, starting with basic filtering at L3/L4 levels and ending with complex analysis mechanisms at L7 levels. At the network level (L3), devices perform verification of basic IP packet headers, detection of fake IP addresses, and analysis of traffic anomalies.
At the transport level (L4), NGFW control TCP/UDP protocols, including:
- TCP three-way handshake verification to prevent SYN flood attacks
- Connection monitoring and detection of attempts to exhaust state tables
- UDP traffic control and detection of UDP flood attacks
- Port and protocol filtering to block malicious traffic
According to research by NETSCOUT, NGFW are capable of countering many “zero-day” attacks and advanced malware by detecting potentially malicious traffic based on behavior.
For more complex DDoS attacks, especially at the application level (L7), NGFW are often integrated with specialized protection systems. As noted by F5, sometimes DDoS campaigns include application-level attacks that need to be handled on-site using network and application protection.
Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Device
The Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert is a next-generation firewall hardware appliance designed for comprehensive protection of corporate networks. This device combines traditional firewall functions with advanced security mechanisms for threat detection and prevention source.
The main hardware configurations of the device include:
- 6 × 1Gbps RJ-45 ports for connecting standard network interfaces
- 2 × 10Gbps SFP+ ports for high-speed connections and aggregation
- Certification for compliance with security requirements and standards
- Hardware optimization for real-time traffic processing
Kaspersky NGFW is a computer network security device that combines traditional firewall functions with advanced network security mechanisms for threat detection and prevention. These devices are designed for reliable protection against cyber threats and scalability for various scenarios source.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert has impressive technical specifications, making it suitable for medium and large enterprises. According to research, the device’s performance reaches up to 180 Gbps in L4 firewall mode with application control enabled, ensuring high performance when processing traffic source.
Key technical capabilities include:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Performance | Up to 180 Gbps in L4 mode with application control |
| Connection Ports | 6 × 1Gbps RJ-45, 2 × 10Gbps SFP+ |
| Traffic Processing | Hardware acceleration for high-speed processing |
| Certification | Compliance with international security standards |
| Scalability | Support for growing load and network expansion |
The device uses hardware acceleration for real-time traffic processing, which is critical for effective protection against high-speed DDoS attacks. The port configuration allows flexible organization of network infrastructure, providing both standard workstation connections and high-speed backbone connections.
Protection Against Specific Threats
The Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert is designed to protect against a wide range of cyber threats, including DDoS attacks, malware, application attacks, and network anomalies. The main threats that this device protects against include:
DDoS Attacks at L3/L4 Levels
- SYN flood attacks through TCP three-way handshake verification
- UDP flood attacks through UDP traffic and port control
- ICMP flood attacks through ICMP packet filtering
- Connection state attacks through state table monitoring
Network and Transport Threats
- Fake IP addresses through source authenticity verification
- Network scanning through suspicious traffic detection
- Resource exhaustion attacks through system load monitoring
- Traffic tunneling through deep packet analysis
Application-Level Threats
- Web attacks through integration with web security systems
- Exploitation of vulnerabilities through intrusion prevention systems
- Automated bots through behavioral pattern analysis
- Data leakage through outbound traffic control
As noted by the Kaspersky IT Encyclopedia, NGFW control traffic at the application level and protect against intrusions, making them particularly effective against complex attacks.
Comparison with Traditional Firewalls
NGFW, including Kaspersky NGFW, significantly outperform traditional firewalls in DDoS attack protection capabilities. The main differences are:
| Characteristic | Traditional Firewall | NGFW |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Levels | Mainly L3/L4 | L3-L7 |
| Protection Mechanisms | Packet filtering, NAT | IPS, antivirus, application control |
| Threat Detection | Static rules | Dynamic behavior, machine learning |
| Performance | High but limited | Optimized for complex analysis |
| Scalability | Limited | High, with hardware acceleration |
As discussed on Reddit, regarding NGFW, “anything that goes beyond L3/L4 blocking can be considered NGFW,” which highlights the evolution of these devices from simple traffic filtering to comprehensive protection source.
Traditional firewalls are mainly focused on packet filtering based on IP addresses and ports, while NGFW provide deep traffic analysis, application control, and protection against modern threats, including complex DDoS attacks.
Practical Application and Recommendations
The Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert is most effective in the following application scenarios:
Medium-Sized Corporate Networks
- Protection of internal networks from external DDoS attacks
- Internet access control and web traffic filtering
- Protection of server zones from unauthorized access
- Monitoring and analysis of network activity
Points of Presence (POP) and Data Centers
- Protection of critical infrastructure from DDoS attacks
- Traffic aggregation from multiple sources
- High-speed traffic processing with low latency
- Integration with monitoring and management systems
Internet Service Providers and Telecom Operators
- Protection of customer networks from DDoS attacks
- Filtering of malicious traffic at network boundaries
- Bandwidth management and quality of service
- Provision of security services to customers
For maximum effectiveness in DDoS attack protection, it is recommended to:
- Properly configure filtering rules at L3/L4 levels
- Enable intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
- Configure real-time network activity monitoring
- Regularly update threat signature databases
- Integrate with cloud-based DDoS protection services
- Conduct performance testing and stress testing
Sources
- Next-generation firewall mechanisms for threat detection
- What Is Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW) | Important Features | Imperva
- Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Features - Check Point Software
- r/homelab on Reddit: What Next-Gen Firewall Do You Use?
- DDoS Architecture Diagrams and White Paper | F5
- Configure Next-Gen Firewall - Versa Networks
- What is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)? | NETSCOUT
- Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Security Services | Versa Networks
- Next-generation firewall - Wikipedia
- What Is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)? | Akamai
- Buy Kaspersky NGFW (KX-100) in Moscow | Software store
- 20 “pieces of iron” burned down, 5 refused to serve. Kaspersky revealed the “kitchen” and the main challenge in creating its NGFW
- About Kaspersky NGFW
- What is a next-generation firewall (NGFW)? | Kaspersky IT Encyclopedia
Conclusion
Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) provide effective protection against DDoS attacks at L3/L4 levels through the integration of advanced security mechanisms, including packet filtering, connection state inspection, and intrusion prevention systems. The Kaspersky NGFW HW KX-100-KA1 Cert, in particular, is a powerful hardware solution with performance of up to 180 Gbps, designed for comprehensive protection of corporate networks against a wide range of cyber threats.
The main advantages of NGFW for DDoS attack protection include a multi-layered security approach, deep traffic analysis, and high processing performance. The Kaspersky NGFW device effectively counters attacks at L3/L4 levels, including SYN floods, UDP floods, and connection state attacks, while also providing protection against more complex threats at the application level.
For maximum protection effectiveness, it is recommended to properly configure filtering rules, regularly update threat signature databases, and integrate NGFW with other security systems. A comprehensive protection approach using NGFW will reliably protect network infrastructure from modern DDoS attacks and other cyber threats.