Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

Which firewall type primarily focuses on filtering traffic based on defined content criteria?

1. Web application firewall (WAF)

2. Content-filtering firewall

3. Next-generation firewall (NGFW)

4. Stateless firewall

The correct answer is: Content-filtering firewall

The choice of the content-filtering firewall is appropriate because this type of firewall is specifically designed to analyze and filter traffic based on defined content criteria, such as the type of content being transmitted or specific patterns and signatures within that content. This capability allows it to block or permit data flows depending on the nature of the content, which can include applications, files, keywords, and URLs. Content-filtering firewalls are commonly used to protect networks from inappropriate content and to enforce compliance with organizational policies. They often incorporate mechanisms to inspect packet payloads, rather than just the header information, enabling more granular security controls. This is a crucial feature for organizations looking to restrict access to unauthorized or harmful content. In contrast, other types of firewalls have different focus areas: web application firewalls (WAFs) primarily protect web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic; next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) combine traditional firewall functions with advanced features like application awareness and intrusion prevention; and stateless firewalls operate on a simpler model, filtering traffic based solely on predetermined rules without inspecting the content of the packets themselves.