Become a Successful NGFW Engineer Skills Certification & Career Guide

In the world of cybersecurity, firewalls play a pivotal role in safeguarding networks from external and internal threats. One of the most advanced types of firewalls used today is the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW). As a NGFW Engineer. Your responsibility is to implement, manage and maintain these firewalls to ensure the highest level of protection for organizations.

NGFW Engineer Skills Certification & Career Guide

What is an NGFW Engineer

An NGFW  is a specialist in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Next-Generation Firewalls. These firewalls are more sophisticated than traditional ones, offering features such as deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, and application-level filtering.

The primary role of an NGFW is to ensure that the organization’s network remains secure, performing regular updates and patches to the firewall infrastructure, as well as actively monitoring the network for any potential vulnerabilities or breaches.

Key Responsibilities 

• Firewall Configuration: Setting up and configuring NGFWs to ensure proper security measures are in place.
• Policy Management: Defining access control policies, intrusion prevention rules, and other security policies.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitoring the firewall for anomalies and reporting them to relevant departments for action.
• Incident Response: Acting quickly when a security breach is detected, implementing emergency fixes, and troubleshooting any issues.
• Collaboration with IT Teams: Coordinating with network engineers, system administrators, and IT professionals to ensure smooth and secure network operations.

Skills Required to Become an NGFW Engineer

Technical Knowledge of NGFW Products

To be a successful Engineer.  You must have a strong understanding of various NGFW products available in the market, such as:

• Palo Alto Networks NGFW
• Fortinet FortiGate
• Check Point NGFW
• Cisco Firepower
• Juniper Networks SRX Series

Familiarity with the configuration, administration, and troubleshooting of these systems is crucial.

Networking Knowledge

A solid foundation in networking is necessary for an NGFW . The key concepts you need to understand include:

• TCP/IP Protocols: Understanding how data travels over the network is essential.
• Routing and Switching: Knowing how routers and switches direct traffic within the network.
• Network Topologies: Understanding various types of network layouts, such as LAN, WAN, and DMZ.
• VPN Configuration: Configuring Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for secure remote access.

Security Expertise

NGFWs are designed to protect against a wide range of cyber threats. A deep understanding of cybersecurity principles is essential, such as:

• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)
• Threat Intelligence
• SSL Inspection
• Malware Analysis

Hands-on Experience

Having practical, hands-on experience is invaluable. This includes:

• Configuring firewalls in lab environments
• Performing vulnerability assessments
• Responding to simulated or real-world security breaches
• Integrating NGFWs with other security tools such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems

Problem-Solving Skills

An  Engineer must be a keen problem solver, able to troubleshoot complex issues in the network and firewall systems. This may involve identifying a vulnerability or misconfiguration in the system and determining the most efficient way to resolve it.

Certifications 

Obtaining industry-recognized certifications is a great way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge as an NGFW Engineer. These certifications are recognized by top employers and will increase your career prospects.

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

Palo Alto Networks is one of the leading providers of NGFWs. The PCNSE certification is designed to validate your expertise in configuring and managing Palo Alto firewalls. It covers topics such as:

• Security policy management
• VPNs
• Network address translation (NAT)
• High availability (HA)
• User-ID and content-ID

Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE)

Fortinet’s NSE certification tracks various levels of knowledge and expertise with FortiGate NGFWs. The certification path ranges from NSE 1 (entry-level) to NSE 8 (advanced-level certification). These certifications focus on firewall deployment, VPNs, and securing network traffic.

Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)

Check Point is another prominent NGFW vendor, and the CCSE certification demonstrates expertise in configuring and managing Check Point NGFW solutions. The certification covers:

• VPN and IPSec tunnel configuration
• Security policy management
• Threat prevention and analysis

Cisco Certified Cybercops Associate (CCCA)

For Working with Cisco Firepower NGFWs, Cisco offers the Cybercops Associate certification. This certification focuses on security monitoring and incident response in Cisco environments, along with understanding Cisco’s network security architecture.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

While not specific to NGFWs, the CISSP certification demonstrates a broader understanding of cybersecurity principles, including network security, risk management, and cryptography. This certification can complement your NGFW knowledge and increase your career prospects in cybersecurity.

Job Outlook for NGFW

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, businesses are investing more in advanced network security measures, including NGFWs. This trend is driving a strong demand for skilled.

Key Industries Hiring Engineers

• Finance & Banking: Financial institutions require robust security to protect sensitive data and transactions.
• Healthcare: Hospitals and healthcare providers need to safeguard patient data and comply with privacy regulations.
• Government: Government agencies focus on preventing cyberattacks that could jeopardize national security.
• Technology: Tech companies often need  Engineers to secure their network infrastructures.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals, including Engineers.  Is expected to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is much faster than the average for other occupations.

Career Path and Growth Opportunities

You have many opportunities for career advancement. Some potential career paths include:

• Senior Network Security Engineer
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Network Security Architect
• Security Operations Manager
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

With additional experience and certifications, you can move into more specialized roles or management positions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the essential certifications for an Engineer?

Some of the essential certifications for an NGFW  include

• PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer)
• NSE (Fortinet Network Security Expert)
• CCSE (Check Point Certified Security Expert)
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Is it necessary to have a degree to become an NGFW Engineer?

While a degree in computer science or cybersecurity can be beneficial, it is not strictly necessary. Practical experience and certifications, such as the ones mentioned above, are often more important in the cybersecurity field.

What is the salary range for an NGFW ?

The salary of an  Engineer can vary depending on experience, location, and the employer. On average, the salary range for an NGFW in the U.S. is between $80,000 and $130,000 per year.

What are the main challenges faced by NGFW ?

Some of the main challenges faced by NGFW  include:

• Keeping up with rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats
• Ensuring continuous updates and patches to NGFW systems
• Balancing security needs with network performance
• Responding quickly to security incidents

Becoming a proficient  Engineer requires a combination of technical knowledge, practical experience and industry-recognized certifications. With the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals, this career path offers not only job security but also excellent growth opportunities. If you’re passionate about network security and want to protect organizations from evolving cyber threats, a career as an NGFW is an excellent choice.