Which firewall type integrates multiple firewall methods to provide layered protection?

The hybrid firewall type integrates multiple firewall methods to offer layered protection, combining the features of stateful, packet-filtering, and sometimes proxy firewalls. This integration allows it to analyze and filter traffic more comprehensively by utilizing different methodologies suited for various situations. For instance, it can inspect the state of active connections while also filtering traffic based on predetermined security rules.

This layered approach enhances security because it can accommodate a wider range of threats and provides more granular control over the traffic compared to firewalls that rely solely on one method. As cyber threats evolve, having a hybrid firewall can facilitate a more dynamic response to emerging security challenges, ensuring a more robust defense.

In contrast, other types of firewalls, while effective in their respective functions, do not combine multiple firewall methods to the same extent. For example, a stateful firewall tracks the state of active connections and makes decisions based on the context of current sessions, but it does not employ the multiple techniques that a hybrid firewall does. Similarly, a proxy firewall primarily acts as an intermediary, providing security by filtering requests and responses but does not incorporate the broader range of firewall capabilities found in a hybrid solution. Next-gen firewalls do offer advanced features such as intrusion prevention, but the term 'hybrid'