Submitted To: Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering
July 29, 2024
1 Problem Statement As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and frequency, traditional firewalls are increasingly insufficient in providing robust network security. Traditional firewalls pri- marily rely on packet filtering, stateful inspection, and static rules, which are inadequate in addressing sophisticated attacks such as application-layer exploits, malware, and ad- vanced persistent threats (APTs). The lack of application awareness, limited intrusion prevention capabilities, and the inability to manage user identities further exacerbate the security vulnerabilities in modern networks. There is a pressing need for an advanced security solution that goes beyond traditional firewall functionalities to effectively detect, prevent, and mitigate emerging threats.
Introduction The Next-Generation Firewall security project aims to design and develop a firewall system that provides advanced security features beyond traditional firewalls. In today’s digital age, the rapid increase in sophisticated cyber threats necessitates the evolution of security technologies to protect critical information infrastructure. Unlike traditional firewalls that primarily focus on basic packet filtering and stateful inspection, NGFWs offer a more comprehensive approach by incorporating a variety of advanced security mechanisms. Our NGFW will incorporate several key functionalities to enhance network security:
• Application Awareness and Control: Unlike traditional firewalls that operate
at the network and transport layers, NGFWs have the capability to identify and manage traffic at the application layer. This enables more granular control over applications and helps in preventing application-layer attacks.
• Integrated Intrusion Prevention: NGFWs come with built-in intrusion preven-
tion systems (IPS) that can detect and block sophisticated threats in real-time. By analyzing network traffic for malicious activities, the IPS can prevent exploitation attempts and minimize the risk of breaches.
• User Identity Management: Traditional firewalls control access based on IP
addresses, which can be easily spoofed or manipulated. NGFWs offer enhanced security by integrating user identity management, allowing policies to be enforced based on individual user identities and roles, thereby providing more precise access control.
• Advanced Threat Protection: With the ability to perform deep packet inspec- tion (DPI), NGFWs can detect and mitigate advanced threats such as malware, ransomware, and zero-day attacks. This ensures a higher level of security by iden- tifying and neutralizing threats before they can cause significant damage.
2 Objectives • To implement application awareness and control by identifying and managing net- work traffic based on the application layer.
• To integrate basic intrusion prevention capabilities to detect and mitigate network
threats.
• To implement user identity management for controlling network access based on
user roles and identities.
• To provide a user-friendly web interface for configuring and monitoring the firewall.
Scope and Limitations
Given the six-month timeframe and the size of our team, the project will focus on devel- oping a simplified prototype of an NGFW. The scope will include:
• Developing basic application control mechanisms using Deep Packet Inspection
(DPI).
• Integrating existing Intrusion Detection System (IDS) libraries such as Snort or
Suricata.
• Implementing basic user authentication and authorization features.
• Creating a web-based interface for firewall management.
Advanced features like comprehensive threat intelligence and full-scale intrusion preven- tion will be beyond the scope of this project.
3 Technical Approach Phase 1: Research and Planning (1 Month) • Study existing NGFW solutions to understand core features.
• Define project scope and requirements.
• Identify necessary hardware and software tools.
Phase 2: Development (3 Months)
• Implement application awareness using DPI libraries.
• Integrate IDS capabilities with Snort or Suricata.
• Develop user identity management for access control.
• Create a web interface for configuration and monitoring.
Phase 3: Testing and Optimization (1 Month)
• Set up a simulated network environment for testing.
• Verify functionality and optimize performance.
Phase 4: Documentation and Presentation (1 Month)
• Prepare comprehensive documentation.
• Create a final presentation demonstrating project outcomes.
4 Expected Outcomes By the end of this project, we expect to have a functional NGFW capable of perform- ing basic application control, intrusion detection, and user identity management. This prototype will serve as a foundation for further development and refinement in future projects.
Conclusion The NGFW project represents an ambitious yet feasible endeavor to enhance network security through advanced firewall technologies. With a focused scope and leveraging our team’s technical skills, we aim to deliver a valuable security solution that addresses modern network threats effectively.
