Did you know that a cyberattack happens somewhere in the world every 39 seconds?According to a report, cyberattacks in 2024 increased at a rate of 75% compared to previous year. Which means, even a small misconfiguration of a firewall could lead to a major data breach.
Today, most of the organizations depend on multiple firewall platforms to secure their networks. Some use Fortinet FortiGate for advanced threat management, while others use Palo Alto Networks firewalls. Whereas, few companies use Cisco ASA firewalls to provide robust enterprise-class security for their data.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these firewalls, understand the training involved, and learn how mastering these platforms help in securing a job in IT companies.
Let’s get started with each of these platforms!
1. Fortinet FortiGate: Overview and Training
FortiGate Fortinet is one of the widely used cybersecurity solutions in the world. It helps protect the networks through – advanced threat management, intrusion prevention, application control, web filtering, and secure VPN access.
FortiGate firewalls provide the security required in data-sensitive real networks to manage local traffic and ensure sustained connectivity across cloud environments, and remote locations.
Fortinet Certification
The Fortinet FortiGate Firewall Certification prepares the individuals for the Fortinet NSE, one of the most respected credentials in cybersecurity. The multiple levels of the NSE Program are as follows:
- NSE 1-3: Foundation in cybersecurity concepts and Fortinet products
- NSE 4: FortiGate Security and Administration is designed for network and security engineers.
- NSE 5-7: Advanced network security, analytics, and management
- NSE 8: Advanced Fortinet network design, configuration, and troubleshooting skills at the expert level.
By gaining NSE certification, individuals become capable to manage FortiGate firewalls, configure policies, implement VPNs, and secure enterprise networks.
Fortinet FortiGate Firewall Training at Network Bulls
Network Bulls, one of the leading IT Network Training institutes in India provides you with an in-depth, practical-based Fortinet FortiGate Firewall Training program that provides theoretical and practical exposure to handling cyber threats in real-world environments.
Key Highlights of the Training
- Manage next-gen firewall, threat prevention, VPN configuration, and advanced security architecture.
- Hands-on practice using physical FortiGate 60F hardware and virtual devices, such as EVE-NG
- Online or Classroom, including One-on-One sessions
Facilities Provided
- 24×7 Lab access (2 months for online mode; unlimited for offline)
- Complete course including manuals, lab workbooks, and tasksheets
- Best infrastructure in one of the top 5 Cisco/Networking labs around the world
What You Will Learn (Modules)
- Deployment and System Configuration: Initial setup and device configuration
- Firewall Policies and Authentication: Configuring policies for the secure management of traffic.
- Content Inspection: Inspect encrypted traffic and certificates
- Routing: Configure static routes and manage traffic flow
- VPN: Implement SSL VPNs for secure remote access
- Administration: Learn FortiManager features and administrative tasks
- Device Manager: Register devices, manage ADOMs, and troubleshoot
This program not only prepares you for Fortinet NSE certification but also equips you with the practical skills to manage, troubleshoot, and secure networks in a professional environment.
2. Palo Alto Firewall: Overview and Training
Palo Alto Networks firewalls are among the most trusted next-generation security solutions in the world. Advanced threat prevention, visibility into applications, and AI come together in one platform to protect organizations from today’s cyber threat landscape.
With cloud security, automated threat detection, and scalable architecture, the deployments of Palo Alto firewalls have been widespread across data centers, enterprise networks, and cloud environments.
Learning Palo Alto firewalls equips professionals with the necessary skills in the implementation of advanced security policies, real-time threat management, and the optimization of network infrastructure.
In other words, Palo Alto training is not only a way to enhance one’s career but also a must for individuals who want to excel in this cybersecurity profession.
Palo Alto Certification
The Palo Alto Certification Program is designed to validate expertise at various levels:
- Network Security Professional: Validates knowledge of Palo Alto Networks network security solutions & basic configuration/deployment
- Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewall Engineer: Deploy, configure, and manage Palo Alto NGFWs
The certifications will provide the skills required in securing networks using Palo Alto technologies, which are highly sought after by any organization in need of cybersecurity skills. The certification enhances career prospects with the following roles: Network Security Engineer, Firewall Specialist, or SOC Analyst.
Palo Alto Training at Network Bulls
Networking Bulls provides an intensive 30 – day Palo Alto Firewall Training to networking and cybersecurity professionals. The course provides practical knowledge and hands-on experience with both physical PA-415 and virtual EVE-NG devices.
Key Training Highlights
- Fundamentals of next-generation firewall configuration
- Interface and network setup (Tap, Layer 2/3, Virtual Wire)
- Security, application, and user policies
- Threat prevention, content decryption, and malware protection
- VPN technologies including GlobalProtect portal and gateway configuration
- High Availability (HA) architecture, management, and troubleshooting
Facilities and Features
- Complete courseware, lab manuals, and tasksheets
- 24×7 lab access for 2 months in online mode; unlimited access in offline mode
- Online revision sessions
- One-on-one flexible training options
This training prepares students with the fundamental abilities required in managing, configuring, and securing networks that contain Palo Alto firewalls, readying them both practically and professionally for the certifications of PCNSA and PCNSE.
3. Cisco ASA Firewall: Overview and Training
Cisco ASA(Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances) is one of the most advanced network security devices with multiple functions like- firewall integration, intrusion prevention, VPN support, and more. It is widely used in organizations for securing internal networks, data centers, and public-facing services.
It works on traffic by leveraging a security level model that will permit only high-trust internal networks to communicate with lower-trust external networks while denying unsolicited inbound connections.
It is also combined with other features such as stateful inspection, packet filtering, and NAT/PAT, ASAs to provide a comprehensive all-in-one protection for modern businesses.
Key Features of Cisco ASA Firewalls
- Inspection: monitor network sessions to allow valid return traffic while blocking unauthorized connections.
- Packet Filtering: Control which external traffic can reach internal servers, allowing only legitimate requests to pass.
- NAT and PAT: Translate private IP addresses into public addresses to enable secure communication over the internet.
- VPN Support: Creates SSL or IPsec VPN tunnels for remote access to secure data transmitted across public networks.
- High Availability: Supports failover and redundancy to ensure uninterrupted network connectivity.
- Management Options: Can be managed via the GUI (ASDM) for visual configuration.
Training and Skills Development
Cisco ASA certification requires a deep understanding of the security levels and key features, along with hands-on practices on the below topics –
- Configuring interfaces and security levels
- Creating firewall rules and access control policies
- Setting up NAT/PAT for Internal-External Communication
- Implementing VPNs for secure remote access
- Traffic Management and Network Troubleshooting
Certification Path
Expertise in Cisco ASA is often validated through general Cisco certifications, as below:
- CCNA Security: It includes basic security concepts, ASA basics, VPNs, and threat mitigation.
- CCNP Security: It covers advanced configuration of security, ASA troubleshooting, VPN deployment, and network segmentation
These certifications help the individuals to master their skills in the configuration, management, and security of networks using Cisco ASA firewalls.
Cisco ASA Training at Network Bulls
Network Bulls offers extensive ASA training as a comprehensive job-oriented course for aspirants who want to gain deep knowledge in networking. It is suitable for professionals looking to build expertise across multiple networking platforms while striving for highly paid jobs in IT.
This course will cover the CCNP Security and CCIE Security modules of Cisco ASA. Also, the students get hands-on experience with enterprise-class firewall solutions, like – installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Cisco ASA Firewalls. Additionally, it covers advanced topics such as Intrusion Prevention Systems, VPN deployment, and handling network attacks.
Besides, the Career Accelerator Skills module allows individuals to choose programs such as Palo Alto Firewall, Fortinet FortiGate, Cisco SD-WAN, Ethical Hacking (CEH), and many more. This multi-vendor program will not only strengthen your network security skills but also increase career opportunities.
4. Cisco Firepower Firewall: Overview and Training
Cisco Firepower is the next-generation firewall from Cisco that extends threat protection beyond the capabilities of traditional firewalls. It brings together reputable stateful firewall capability with advanced security, including IPS, application visibility and control, URL filtering, malware protection, and threat intelligence powered by Cisco Talos.
Additionally, it delivers in-depth visibility into network traffic to spot users, applications, and devices in real time and enforce policies right down to the level of an individual application or user group.
Training on Cisco Firepower Firewall will include deploying NGFW policies, configuring IPS, managing VPNs, and responding to real-world attacks.
Cisco Firepower Certification:
300-710 SNCF: Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower – a Cisco professional exam focused on Cisco’s next-gen firewall technology.
Which Firewall Training Should You Choose?
| Firewall | Best For | KeyTopics | Ideal Certifications | Career Roles |
| Fortinet FortiGate | Professionals seeking next-gen firewall expertise | Threat prevention, VPN setup, Unified Threat Management, automation | NSE 4-8 | Network Security Engineer, SOC Analyst, Firewall Specialist |
| Palo Alto | Those specializing in application-level security and cloud environments | App-ID, User-ID, AI-driven threat prevention, granular control | Network Security Professional, Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewall Engineer | Security Analyst, Network Security Engineer, Cloud Security Specialist |
| Cisco ASA | Professionals managing Cisco-based enterprise networks | Stateful inspection, NAT/PAT, VPN, high availability | CCNA Security, CCNP Security | Network Administrator, Security Engineer, Firewall Specialist |
| Cisco Firepower | IT professionals working on enterprise networks, Cybersecurity aspirants | NGFW policies, configuring IPS, managing VPNs, and responding to real-world attacks. | 300-710 SNCF: Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower | Firewall Engineer, SOC Analyst (L2 / L3), Security Operations Engineer (L2) |
