Firewall as a Service Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) is a cloud-based firewall solution that helps simplify IT infrastructure for companies. It provides next-generation firewall capabilities like web filtering, advanced threat protection, intrusion prevention systems, and Domain Name System security. Essentially, FWaaS delivers firewall protection through a cloud-based service model, offering companies the benefits of security without the need for physical hardware on-site. This service is designed to enhance network security by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing data traffic based on established security rules, helping to prevent unauthorized access and protect against potential threats.

The Firewall as a Service Market is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 19.54% owing to the increased demand for network security and privacy. Furthermore, the proliferation of cloud computing has led to a paradigm shift in how businesses operate and manage their IT infrastructure. FWaaS provides seamless integration with various cloud platforms, ensuring consistent security policies across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work. With employees accessing corporate resources from multiple devices and locations, traditional on-premises firewalls struggle to provide comprehensive protection. FWaaS offers a centralized security solution that can enforce consistent policies and protect remote workers, regardless of their location or device. Additionally, in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations require agility and the ability to scale their operations quickly. FWaaS solutions offer on-demand scalability, allowing businesses to easily adjust their security resources based on changing requirements. Furthermore, the cybersecurity industry is facing a significant shortage of skilled professionals, making it challenging for organizations to build and maintain in-house security teams. For instance, according to the (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2022, the global cybersecurity workforce gap has increased to 3.4 million, up from 2.7 million in 2021. These developments along with others are fostering a conducive environment, influencing the widespread adoption of firewalls as a service across various industries.

Based on the service type, the market is segmented into traffic monitoring and control, compliance and audit management, reporting and Log management, automation and orchestration, security management, managed services, professional services, and others. The traffic monitoring and control segment generates the majority portion of revenue for the firewall as a service vendor. Primarily driven by the need to restrict any sort of security breaches. Traffic monitoring and control play a pivotal role in preventing security breaches by continuously monitoring network traffic for any suspicious or unauthorized activities. This proactive approach is crucial in safeguarding sensitive data and preventing cyber threats. Furthermore, this segment provides real-time insights into network behavior, allowing immediate responses to any anomalies or potential threats. By analyzing traffic patterns, organizations can detect and address security issues promptly. Additionally, traffic monitoring and control seamlessly integrate with other security measures, such as intrusion detection systems and firewalls, to provide comprehensive protection against diverse cyber threats. This cohesive approach enhances overall network security, further fueling the need for firewalls as a service across various industries.

Based on the service model, the market is segmented into infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). SaaS is the segment that commands the largest market share and is in high demand. The primary factor contributing to this widespread adoption includes the accessibility and convenience that this service provides. SaaS offers users the ability to access software applications directly through the internet without needing to install or maintain them locally. This convenience makes it highly attractive to businesses of all sizes. Furthermore, SaaS eliminates the need for companies to invest in expensive infrastructure or software development. Users typically pay a subscription fee, making it a cost-effective option for organizations looking to reduce IT expenses. Additionally, SaaS applications are readily available over the internet, allowing for quick deployment and implementation, significantly reducing time-to-market for new projects. Factors such as these are creating a favorable environment, influencing the demand for SaaS in the markets.

Based on deployment, the market is segmented into public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud. The public cloud segment holds the majority of the market share and is highly in demand. Public cloud FWaaS solutions are often more cost-effective as they follow a pay-as-you-go pricing model. Organizations can scale their firewall resources based on needs, avoiding upfront hardware costs and maintenance expenses associated with traditional firewalls. Furthermore, public cloud providers offer unparalleled scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to quickly adapt to changing business needs and workload demands. This scalability is particularly beneficial for FWaaS solutions, as it enables organizations to easily scale their firewall resources up or down based on their evolving security requirements. Moreover, public cloud providers have a global presence with multiple data centers and availability zones, enabling organizations to deploy FWaaS solutions across different regions and leverage built-in redundancy for high availability and disaster recovery purposes. These developments along with others have contributed to the growth in the adoption of public cloud for the deployment of firewalls across various industries.

Based on end-users, the market is segmented into IT & telecommunication, BFSI, Academia, government and public sectors, healthcare and science, manufacturing, retail and e-commerce, and energy and utilities. The Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector is the major end-user for firewalls as a service in the global market. The BFSI industry is subject to strict regulations and compliance requirements to safeguard sensitive financial data and transactions. Firewalls play a crucial role in meeting these regulatory standards. Furthermore, financial institutions handle vast amounts of sensitive data and monetary transactions, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Network firewalls act as the first line of defense against various cyber threats. Moreover, The BFSI sector is considered critical infrastructure, and any disruption or breach can have severe consequences for the economy and public trust. Network firewalls help protect this critical infrastructure by controlling and monitoring network traffic. Additionally, the BFSI industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, with the adoption of online banking, mobile applications, and cloud-based services. As these digital channels expand, the attack surface also increases, necessitating robust network security. Factors such as these have made the BFSI industry a major end-user segment for firewalls as a service across the world.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of Firewall as a service, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (The U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, The U.K., France, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. Firewalls as a service play a crucial role in safeguarding digital assets and sensitive information from cyber threats. North America emerges as the largest market for firewalls as a service. This dominance can be attributed to technological advancement. North America, particularly the United States, is a hub for technological innovation and cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. Furthermore, North America boasts a robust economy with a significant number of large enterprises and businesses across various industries. These organizations have substantial IT budgets allocated for cybersecurity, including investment in network security firewalls to mitigate risks effectively. Moreover, the United States, with one of the largest digital populations globally, witnesses a significant number of cyber attacks annually. As per a survey conducted in 2021, approximately 60 percent of online users in the country encountered some form of cyber attack, placing it as the third-highest country in terms of cybercrime prevalence. In the latest reported year, incidents of data violation affected approximately 294 million internet users in the United States. Among the various types of cyber attacks, network intrusion emerged as the most prevalent across the nation, motivating the government to increase investments in cyber security strategy, benefiting the firewall as a service vendor. For instance, In FY 2024, DHS allocated over USD 3 billion to cybersecurity, making it the top-funded agency among CFO act government agencies, excluding DoD. Overall cybersecurity expenditure in the US was increased in 2023, with total agency funding estimated at USD 10.46 billion.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Sinch; AMD Telecom; Orange; SAP; Sophos Ltd.; Tata Communications; Telecom Italia Sparkle S.p.A; Twilio Inc.; Route Mobile; and Nokia.