What characteristic does a Next-Generation Firewall typically have besides packet filtering?

A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is designed to go beyond traditional packet filtering by incorporating integrated intelligence for threat detection. This characteristic is essential because it allows the firewall to analyze network traffic not only based on the packet headers but also by inspecting the payload for known threats, malware signatures, and behavioral anomalies. This capability enables the NGFW to provide more advanced security measures against sophisticated attacks that are often missed by standard firewalls.

Incorporating integrated threat intelligence allows for real-time updates on emerging threats, ensuring that the firewall can adapt to the evolving cyber landscape. This means that rather than just allowing or blocking traffic based on pre-defined rules, NGFWs can actively analyze and respond to threats, enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.

Other options can have value in specific contexts but do not provide the same comprehensive threat detection capabilities that integrated intelligence does. Cloud-based service deployment can be part of a modern security strategy, but it is not a defining feature of NGFW technology. Automatic vulnerability scanning and user activity tracking are useful features but typically fall under different cybersecurity functions or tools, rather than being intrinsic characteristics of a Next-Generation Firewall itself.