With cyber incidents now costing organizations an average of $4.88 million per breach, INE, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity training, is underscoring the importance of adopting advanced Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) strategies that go well beyond basic rule configurations.

Despite widespread awareness of the importance of proactive security, many companies still retrofit security solutions into existing infrastructure instead of building them into their networks from the ground up.

“Too many businesses treat firewalls like simple gatekeepers when in reality, they should serve as intelligent security orchestrators,” said Brian McGahan, CCIE in Security and Director of Networking Content at INE. “Legacy training separates networking and security, but real-world NGFW deployment requires professionals who understand how both disciplines integrate to form layered defenses.”

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Skills Gap Undermines Security-First Network Design

A persistent skills shortage continues to challenge enterprises adopting a security-first posture. Research from Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) found that while 86% of organizations report stronger collaboration between networking and security teams, more than half (51%) still operate them as separate silos. This divide often leads to tension between network performance and security enforcement, revealing the urgent need for professionals who can balance both.

McGahan emphasized that organizations embedding security into network design see significant results. “The most in-demand network professionals today think with a security-first mindset,” he said. “They recognize that every design choice has security consequences, and every security implementation impacts performance. NGFWs are where these two worlds collide.”

NGFW Success Requires Integrated Training

INE’s findings show that effective firewall deployments now demand far more than static rule sets. Modern NGFW strategies require:

  • Application-aware traffic inspection at the application layer
  • Behavioral analytics powered by machine learning
  • Zero Trust architecture that treats all connections as untrusted by default

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This complexity exposes a training gap. While certifications provide a baseline, the rapid evolution of cyber threats calls for continuous learning that unites networking fundamentals with advanced security practices.

Training Industry Evolves with Hands-On Security Integration

To address these challenges, more organizations are investing in workforce training that blends networking and security into a unified skill set. This approach helps bridge the divide between firewall experts who lack networking context and network engineers who lack deep security knowledge.

“Security doesn’t stifle innovation—it fuels it,” McGahan added. “When network professionals understand how NGFWs underpin a security-first strategy, they can design resilient, high-performing infrastructures aligned with business goals.”

INE has responded with specialized training programs that cover both the technical and architectural dimensions of modern firewall deployments, including:

  • Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) – Part I & II
  • Palo Alto Networks Firewall
  • Fortinet Network Security Expert

By embedding NGFW strategies into broader network training, INE ensures teams can design and implement robust, security-first architectures—avoiding the pitfalls of retrofitted defenses.

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