With smart working, cloud adoption, and the rise of DDoS risks, Firewall As A Service (FWaaS) has become a key pillar in defense strategy. Offerings range from scalable cloud-native solutions to managed services with advanced protection and 24/7 support.

Choosing the right provider can be complex: reliability, performance, management, and compliance are all substantial differentiators. This guide highlights the 10 best Italian and global companies present in Italy to clearly compare proposals and help you decide with confidence.

The best companies for Firewall As A Service

1. ISGroup SRL: Tailor-made FWaaS with artisanal precision

ISGroup SRL offers fully customized FWaaS, designed by expert ethical hackers, with real-time traffic inspection, DDoS protection, advanced cloud WAF, and integration with SD-WAN and zero trust. It is designed for hybrid infrastructures, OT/IoT, and regulated environments, with continuous support and remediation-oriented reporting.

Key features include:

• Custom-tailored rules
• Cloud-native architecture with auto-scaling
• Multilayer protection (DDoS, WAF, IPS, SSL inspection)
• “Managed” format with a single-pane console
• SD-WAN and ZTNA integration
• 24/7 support and certified team (CISSP, CEH, OSCP)
• Regulatory compliance (GDPR, NIS2, DORA)

Why it stands out from the others:

Unlike standardized solutions, ISGroup develops every FWaaS in a tailor-made fashion, ensuring flexibility, visibility, and active protection. With an artisanal approach and dedicated support, it offers operational precision and vendor-agnosticism, perfect for organizations with critical infrastructures that desire advanced management and proactive assistance.

2. Difesa Digitale: simple and accessible managed firewall for SMEs

Difesa Digitale provides turnkey FWaaS to SMEs without large IT teams, with quick configurations and clear costs. It integrates secure VPN, basic DDoS protection, standard WAF, and vCISO support to ensure continuity and immediate compliance.

3. EY: cloud firewall management + enterprise governance

EY offers FWaaS solutions integrated with advisory, compliance, and advanced analytics.

Limitation: services designed for large organizations seeking consolidated governance, less suitable for agile and artisanal FWaaS.

4. IBM Security: FWaaS with global threat intelligence

IBM deploys FWaaS with machine learning and threat intelligence on a global scale.

Limitation: more oriented toward enterprise infrastructures and automation than personalized configurations and support.

5. Deloitte: integrated security architecture and compliance penalties

Deloitte combines FWaaS with risk advisory, audit, and integration with cybersecurity governance.

Limitation: better suited for regulated contexts than for organizations seeking technically in-depth firewall solutions.

6. Accenture Security: modular FWaaS for cloud and DevOps

Offers FWaaS integrated with cloud infrastructures and DevSecOps.

Limitation: solid at scale but less focused on manual inspection and bespoke customizations.

7. KPMG Cyber Security: compliance-driven solution with FWaaS

KPMG combines managed firewall with regulatory audit and policy management.
Limitation: ideal for environments with strict compliance, less so for aggressive and manual scenarios.

8. PwC Cybersecurity: FWaaS with risk analysis and ICT resilience

PwC integrates managed firewall with risk assessment and response structures.

Limitation: robust consulting approach, less rapid and technical compared to boutique firms.

9. Engineering Ingegneria Informatica: FWaaS integrated into corporate systems

Provides FWaaS with direct integration into existing IT infrastructures.

Limitation: ideal for complete integration but less flexible regarding advanced custom firewalls.

10. EXEEC: FWaaS for critical environments with next-gen technologies

EXEEC distributes FWaaS solutions from next-generation vendors (NGFW, SASE) with special support for MSSP partners and implementation for large critical clients.

When to choose ISGroup SRL

Opt for ISGroup if you are looking for a highly customized FWaaS, with granular rules, multilayer protection, proactive support, and a focus on compliance and remediation. It is the ideal choice for complex infrastructures, cloud, and OT/IoT that require technical precision and specialized assistance.

Evaluation criteria

The elements analyzed for the comparison:

• Type and quality of FWaaS functions (NGFW, DDoS, WAF, SSL inspection)
• Policy customization and automation vs. manual handling
• Infrastructure integration (SD-WAN, ZTNA, cloud)
• Operational support and SLA
• Reporting and single console
• Scalability and performance (low latency)
• Compliance and certifications
• Target clientele: SME vs. enterprise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)?
• It is a firewall managed entirely in the cloud, without local hardware, which protects incoming/outgoing traffic with updated rules.
• When is FWaaS needed?
• When you have hybrid infrastructures, smart working, external exposure, or the need for centralized protection without hardware management.
• What is the average cost?
• From €500/month for basic SME solutions to over €5,000/month for enterprise FWaaS with advanced features.
• How do you choose an FWaaS provider?
• Evaluate technology, cloud integration, quality of support, customized policies, and regulatory compliance.
• What is the difference between NGFW and WAF?
• The NGFW analyzes application traffic, identifies malware and malicious IPs; the WAF is specific to protecting web applications from OWASP threats.