Top 12 Firewall Audit Software & Integration-Based Comparison

As the Chief Information Security Officer of a fintech platform, compliance to standards like PCI DSS is a top priority for me. Since firewall audit software facilitate compliance & improve our security posture, I have reviewed all major solutions. See the top 12 solutions & click the links to see my rationale:

Firewall audit software helps validate compliance and manage firewall configurations. Explore top firewall audit tools along with their ticketing systems integrations, firewall compatibility, detailed comparison as well as customer satisfaction metrics like number of reviews:

Comparing the top 12 firewall audit software vendors

Table 1. Vendor comparison based on market presence

Table 2. Vendor comparison based on key features

* Based on data from B2B review platforms like G2, Gartner, and TrustRadius. For more: Market presence criteria explained

** Based on data from LinkedIn

To understand features: Features and integrations explained

If you are looking for firewall compliance of industry regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, read Key Components of Firewall Compliance.

Table 3. Firewall compatibility of firewall audit software

Ranking: Products are ranked based on the number of reviews across B2B review platforms except for the sponsored products ranked at the top.

Firewall audit tool inclusion criteria:

• Offering firewall audit and compliance products along with other network security offerings.
• Integration with security information and event management (SIEM) platforms. This integration enhances the overall security posture by providing timely analysis of security events.

Firewall inclusion criteria in firewall compatibility table: Firewall vendors with 1000+ reviews on Gartner were included.

To have a deeper understanding about firewall integration, read top firewall management services and their firewall integrations.

This article covers enterprise-focused solutions. If you are looking for free alternatives for your small business, check out open source firewall audit tools.

In-depth product analysis

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Tufin Orchestration Suite

Tufin is highly advantageous in ease of deployment, identity-based rules, offering flexible IP block management, strong traffic engineering, almost real-time reporting, and effective rule violation alerts. However, Tufin has some licensing and subscription model disadvantages and custom report generation is limited.

Apart from firewall audit, Tufin offers these capabilities: Network security policy orchestration, compliance audit, and automation of security policies across complex networks.

Figure 1. Tufin’s SecureTrack reporting dashboard

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Apart from firewall audit, Tufin offers these capabilities: Network security policy orchestration, compliance audit, and automation of security policies across complex networks.

Choose Tufin for firewall policy management orchestration, easy deployment and activation, better detection of risky situation.

User reviews

✅ Users on B2B review platforms highlight that Tufin supports numerous firewalls and network devices, offering compliance checks and conflict resolution suggestions.¹

❌ Based on our comparison of different firewall audit tools and user comments, Tufin’s licensing fee was higher than the average provider’s.

AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer

AlgoSec offers network security policy management solutions that automate and orchestrate security policy configuration, compliance, and change management.

Algosec is noted for its ready-made report templates and optimization capabilities, though it struggles with vulnerability management and can become cumbersome with excessive reporting and static analysis.

User reviews

A customer review states that while AlgoSec offers many features, navigating the user interface (UI) can be a bit challenging, especially for users who are unfamiliar with the product.

Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform

Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform offers a cloud-based platform for compliance requirement monitoring and risk management, including Policy Compliance, File Integrity Monitoring, and Cloud Security Posture Management.

User reviews

✅Customers find Qualys’s PCI-DSS (industry regulation for securing cardholder data) firewall compliance tool user friendly.

❌They also found its subscription costs high.

ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer

ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer is a firewall audit software, capabilities of which includes real-time monitoring, firewall logs analysis, and continuous compliance reporting to enhance network security.

User reviews

✅ Users appreciate the reports being highly graphical, visually appealing, and can be set to automatically run and be emailed to users.

✅ Log analytics and IDS systems are highlighted as key strengths of the software.²

❌ Users stress the need to increase the firewall management capabilities for all vendors without issues.

FireMon Policy Manager

Firemon Policy Manager claims to provide network security policy management solutions, including compliance, risk analysis, and automated change management.

Each step in the firewall audit process at FireMon is at least partially automated, with automation aiding in identifying issues, suggesting changes, implementing those changes, and monitoring the outcomes.

User reviews

According to a customer review, manual data entry for the firewall laws is useful but risky due to irreversible deletion, requiring careful management and additional components for full functionality.

Palo Alto Networks Panorama

With the firewall audit software Panorama, Palo Alto Network supports firewall audits by providing centralized oversight of security policies, enabling detailed traffic analysis, and ensuring consistent policy enforcement across the network.

User reviews

✅Users can collect logs from various connected firewalls, aiding in comprehensive network analysis and troubleshooting.

❌There are no default templates or device groups for basic firewall configuration, which could simplify initial setup.

SolarWinds Security Event Manager

SolarWinds Security Event Manager enables to monitor logs including those from firewall. Based on other users’ reviews on review platforms, its pros and cons are:

✅ Users appreciate product’s ease of set up and use.

❌ There is a recent feedback criticizing pricing methods of SolarWinds SEM³ .

AWS Firewall Manager

AWS Firewall Manager provides audit capabilities by enabling automatic enforcement of internal policies on security tools, ensuring regulatory compliance with firewall rules organization-wide. It offers a centralized dashboard for monitoring protected resources, identifying non-compliant configurations.

User reviews

✅ Built-in features and pre-configured compliance frameworks help streamline compliance reports and auditing processes.

❌ Integrating certain third-party security tools can pose challenges due to compatibility issues or the need for additional configuration, potentially complicating the security setup.

Cisco Defense Orchestrator

Cisco claims that Defense Orchestrator, the firewall rule review product, is designed to streamline policy management across Cisco firewalls and public cloud infrastructure.

User reviews

✅ A positive review of Defense Orchestrator commends its accessible pricing and effective threat defense for firewalls.

❌ Users highlight the lack of features in comparison to the on-premises version.

Titania Nipper

Titania Nipper offers firewall auditing capabilities, generating detailed security audit reports on configuration issues and compliance gaps to bolster network security.

User reviews

✅ The ability to update the tool with the latest National Vulnerability Database (NVD) files improves results and threat insights.

❌ Some users suggest improving the reports, reducing false positives, and enhancing the dashboard for a more intuitive experience.

Skybox Firewall Assurance

claims to provide cybersecurity management solutions, including firewall rule review and compliance management. The company also offers products focusing on network visibility and vulnerability detection.

User reviews

While users found its firewall assurance tool simple and thorough, they also identified concerns regarding its local customer support for vendors and resellers.

Network Perception

Network Perception View delivers firewall auditing by visualizing firewall configurations and identifying potential security gaps to enhance network protection. Users can add comments to specific access rules and export an audit trail of all user comments for documentation and compliance purposes.

Comparison of 3 firewall audit software

See the benchmark table created by AIMultiple’s own experience:

Table 4. Firewall audit benchmark

Required effort for deployment and activation

• Tufin: Low🏆 – Tufin is relatively easy to deploy, particularly in smaller networks, and provides immediate value.
• Skybox: High – Skybox is complex to deploy and requires significant expertise and dedicated resources.
• Algosec: Medium – Algosec is somewhat easier to deploy but may be limited by its static nature and reliance on archived snapshots.

Workload on security/network teams

• Tufin: Medium – Tufin provides near real-time reporting and alerting, which can ease the workload if the network team is well-trained.
• Skybox: Low🏆 – Skybox excels in vulnerability management, integrating well with scanning tools, significantly reducing team workload.
• Algosec: High – The large volume of reports generated by Algosec can overwhelm teams, adding to their workload.

Ticketing tools integration

• Tufin: Wide Variety🏆 – Tufin integrates well with various ticketing tools, supporting automated deployment processes.
• Skybox: Narrow Variety – Skybox has no integration with ticketing tools.
• Algosec: Wide Variety- Algosec integrates well with various ticketing tools.

Detection of risky situations

• Tufin: High🏆 – Tufin provides almost instant notifications when risky scenarios are detected, ensuring high security.
• Skybox: High – Skybox’s strong vulnerability management capabilities contribute to effective risk detection.
• Algosec: Medium – Algosec is less effective in detecting risky situations, focusing more on reporting.

Automation support

• Tufin: High🏆 – Tufin supports automation, particularly in rule deployment and workflow management.
• Skybox: Med – Skybox offers automation in vulnerability management but less in rule deployment.
• Algosec: Low – Algosec is less dynamic and offers limited automation support.

Reporting

• Tufin: Medium – Tufin offers real-time reports but lacks customization options.
• Skybox: High – Skybox provides strong reporting, especially in large-scale environments.
• Algosec: High🏆 – Algosec excels in reporting with pre-built templates, making it the best in this category.

Features & integrations

One of the fundamental aspects to evaluate when selecting a firewall audit software vendor is the extent of integration it offers with other crucial cybersecurity and IT management systems such as ticketing systems.

Users should look for features such as comprehensive rule analysis, automated suggestions for rule optimization, integration with compliance requirements, and robust reporting capabilities. Common features include basic rule analysis and compliance reporting, while differentiated features like best-practice reports and built-in ticketing systems set it apart. Here are some other key integration points to consider:

1. Ticketing integration

Table 5. Ticketing system integrations

Integrating a ticketing system with firewall audit software is crucial for effective IT change management and streamlined workflow processes. By leveraging tools integrated with IT ticketing system, organizations can automatically manage tickets, ensure appropriate distribution, and escalate issues as needed, thereby eliminating the reliance on spreadsheets and reducing the risk of tickets getting lost in the shuffle.

For more information, read: ITSM Tools.

2. Deployment

The deployment model of a firewall audit tool is a crucial consideration based on the organization’s specific needs, infrastructure, and security requirements. Vendors should offer flexibility in deployment options to accommodate diverse organizational structures:

On-premises deployment: Some organizations may prefer the firewall audit tool deployed on-premises, providing them full control over the tool’s infrastructure and data.

Cloud-based deployment: Cloud-based deployment offers scalability, flexibility, and accessibility, allowing organizations to leverage the advantages of cloud infrastructure.

Hybrid deployment: Organizations leverage a mix of on-premises resources and cloud services in a hybrid deployment model, creating a unified and interconnected firewall audit system.

3. Real-time data

The ability to provide real-time data is a key criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of a firewall audit tool. Organizations need timely and accurate information to respond promptly to security threats. This capability enhances overall security risk by ensuring timely detection and mitigation of potential threats.

4. Firewall integration

Specific firewall brands and models, as not all firewalls may be supported, particularly older hardware with outdated OS versions, in addition to some open source alternatives.. Users should verify compatibility with specific firewall brands and models, as not all firewalls may be supported, particularly older hardware with outdated OS versions.

For detailed information, read firewall integration.

Market presence criteria explained

1. Number of Reviews

The volume of reviews available for a vendor or a particular firewall auditing tool can provide a good view of its user size.

2. User Ratings

User ratings provide a quantitative measure of customer satisfaction with a product or service. User ratings can reflect the tool’s efficiency in firewall security auditing, managing firewall rules compliance, and its ability to provide detailed risk assessments to prevent security incidents.

3. Number of employees

The size of a company’s workforce can indicate its financial stability, capacity for innovation, and ability to serve customers effectively. Larger companies often have more resources to invest in research and development, customer support, and marketing, which can contribute to their market presence. In network security, where specific support for firewall configurations, rule auditing, and network traffic monitoring is vital, the company’s size matters.

Key factors for effective firewall integration

Organizations must carefully consider several key factors to ensure successful and effective integration before embarking on firewall integration initiatives. According to NIST⁴ , organizations should keep four considerations in mind regarding firewall integrations.

1. Compatibility with network infrastructure

One of the foremost considerations in firewall integration is assessing whether the firewall requires specific hardware components to seamlessly integrate within the organization’s network infrastructure. This includes evaluating factors such as power capabilities, network interface card (NIC) compatibility, backup device requirements, and other hardware specifications. Ensuring compatibility with existing network hardware is essential to prevent compatibility issues and optimize firewall performance.

2. Integration with existing security devices

Another critical consideration is determining whether the firewall needs to be compatible with other devices on the network that provide security or other services. This includes evaluating compatibility with intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), network access control (NAC) solutions, and other security appliances. Integration with existing security devices ensures comprehensive threat detection and defense capabilities across the network.

3. Logging interoperability

Effective firewall integration also entails evaluating whether the firewall’s logging capabilities seamlessly interoperate with existing log management systems. Centralized log management is crucial for monitoring security events, analyzing network traffic, and detecting potential threats. Ensuring logging interoperability enables organizations to consolidate security event data and streamline incident response processes.

4. Network impact and changes

Installing a firewall as part of integration efforts may necessitate changes to other areas of the network. Organizations must assess the potential impact of firewall deployment on network traffic, access controls, and overall network performance. Planning for network changes, conducting impact assessments, and implementing necessary adjustments (proper change management life-cycle) are vital to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth firewall integration as well as business continuity.

Resources for effective firewall integration

To enhance firewall integration effectiveness and address potential challenges, organizations can tap into three main resources and strategies:

1. Vendor documentation and community support

Consult vendor resources, including comprehensive documentation, dedicated support services, and customer community support. These resources offer valuable insights into firewall rules, integration protocols, and best practices, aiding in seamless deployment and management.

2. Local partnership support

Establish partnerships with local service providers to address on-site challenges promptly. These partners ensure swift, effective support for hardware issues along with software support, critical patching or updating its operating system, configuration adjustments, and other critical needs, minimizing downtime and enhancing integration success.

3. Third-party integrators and consultants

Collaborate with experienced third-party integrators or consultants specializing in firewall integration. These experts provide in-depth knowledge, tailored solutions, and ongoing support, ensuring optimal configuration and performance.

4. Training and certification programs

Implement training and certification initiatives for IT teams involved in integration and management. These programs equip staff with the necessary skills, and knowledge of security protocols, and compliance standards, empowering them to navigate complex integration scenarios effectively.

FAQ

Further reading

• Top Firewall Management Tools in 2024: Analysis & Comparison
• Guide to Effective Firewall Auditing
• Key Components of Firewall Compliance

If you need further help finding a vendor or have any questions, feel free to contact us:

Reference Links

1

A customer review on Tufin. G2. Accessed: 31/December/2023.

2

A user review on ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer. Trustradius. Accessed: 5/August/2024.

3

A customer review on SolarWinds. Capterra. Accessed: 24/June/2024.

4

NIST. Guidelines on Firewalls and Firewall Policy. Accessed: 18/April/2024.

Technical Advisor

Adil Hafa

Technical Advisor

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Adil is a security expert with over 16 years of experience in defense, retail, finance, exchange, food ordering and government.

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Researched by

Ezgi Arslan, PhD.

Industry Analyst

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Ezgi holds a PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in finance and serves as an Industry Analyst at AIMultiple. She drives research and insights at the intersection of technology and business, with expertise spanning sustainability, survey and sentiment analysis, AI agent applications in finance, answer engine optimization, firewall management, and procurement technologies.

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