Western Governors University (WGU) ITAS6291 D488 Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering Practice Exam

The primary purpose of a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is to inspect and secure web traffic against threats. NGFWs integrate traditional firewall capabilities with additional features such as deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention systems, and application awareness. This advanced functionality allows them to analyze network traffic at a much deeper level than standard firewalls, identifying and mitigating threats within web traffic.

One of the key advantages of NGFWs is their ability to recognize and control applications rather than just focusing on port and protocol. This is crucial for defending against modern cyber threats, which often exploit web applications. By effectively inspecting web traffic, NGFWs can block harmful content and protect the network from attacks such as malware and other web-based threats.

Other functions of an NGFW, while significant, are secondary to its main role of providing comprehensive security for web traffic. Thus, the emphasis on inspecting and securing web traffic makes this the primary purpose of an NGFW.