How to Select a Firewall that Provides Ransomware Attack Protection

So you’re concerned about ransomware. Good. You should be.

I’ve been working in this space for decades—I started as a network admin in ‘93 when we were still dealing with coaxial cables and thicknet. I watched the Slammer worm wreak havoc live (good times…), and now I run my own cybersecurity company. I’ve spent the past few months advising three different banks on revamping their Zero Trust security, and I’ll tell you this — their number-one priority for that new security was defending against ransomware.

But enough about me. You’re here to learn some tips on how to select a firewall that will actually keep ransomware at bay. Let’s get into it.

Quick Take

No time for a deep dive? Here’s what you need to know:

• Ransomware can spread very quickly, which means your firewall must provide real-time threat analysis.
• Signature-based detection is not enough; you need behavioral analysis.
• Fortinet’s firewalls? They’ve got ransomware protection purpose-built for them.
• Your firewall should integrate with endpoint security and SIEM solutions.
• Air-gapped backups won’t protect you from ransomware that’s already inside your network.

Okay, now for the people who want a little more detail—let’s dive in.

How Ransomware Attacks Work

Ransomware is analogous to a home invasion. Once an intruder gets in, they don’t simply steal a few things — they lock you out of your own house and ransom the key.

• How attackers are getting in — email phishing, RDP vulnerabilities, Trojan downloads.
• They establish persistence—installing backdoors, disabling security tools.
• It begins lateral movement — this is where the real damage happens. It moves across devices and encrypts files.
• You get the message: Pay up, or your data’s gone forever.

They will go after all of it: file servers, databases, backups if you leave them unattended. And if you’re thinking “we have antivirus”—good luck with that. Traditional AV is no match for modern ransomware.

So, what stops it?

Enterprise-Class Firewall Features to Mitigate Ransomware

Not all firewalls are made the same. If yours can’t handle the modern threat of ransomware, you’re risking your data. Here’s what you need:

1. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)

• Encrypted traffic (TLS/SSL) must be inspected by your firewall.
• DPI helps detect malicious downloads before they reach endpoints.

2. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

• Sabotages ransomware delivery methods, e.g., exploit kits, harmful macros.
• Should daily add new signatures to the register.

3. Sandboxing & Behavioral Analysis

• Sandbox any file you haven’t vetted yourself.
• Use behavioral AI > Signature matching for detection of zero-day threats.

4. Segmentation & Zero Trust

• Flat networks? They’re ransomware’s dream.
• Lateral movement reduction with VLANs, microsegmentation, and identity-based access.

5. Automated Threat Response

• If your firewall detects ransomware traffic, isolate the affected machines immediately.
• Automated playbooks (via integration with security orchestration tools) can halt attacks while they’re still in progress.

And here’s a key point… AI-driven security tools are promising, but don’t fall for the marketing speak. If your firewall isn’t actively blocking threats, there’s no AI system that’s going to save you.

Anti-Ransomware Capabilities within Fortinet

We have worked with many firewalls over the years at PJ Networks: Cisco, Palo Alto, SonicWall. Still, for ransomware defense, Fortinet firewalls performed some of the best we’ve seen in the real world.

Why Fortinet?

• FortiSandbox: Executes potentially malicious files in a sandbox before letting them enter your network.
• Threat detection powered by AI: Prevents malware from executing based on behavior.
• FortiGuard IPS & AV: Always up-to-date with the latest ransomware signatures.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Automated least-privilege access by design.
• Integrated security fabric: Fortinet firewalls automatically talk with endpoint protection, SIEM, and SOC platforms.

Honestly? Ransomware defense for low-hanging fruit. You’ve got your own good firewall, but that’s not enough.

Fortinet Security Solutions for PJ Networks

We don’t just sell security—we deploy, validate, and battle-test these solutions. If you are searching for a firewall implementation that does protect against ransomware, here is what we can provide:

1. Fortinet Firewalls to Enterprise-grade

• Deploy and configure FortiGate firewalls with anti-ransomware policies.
• Unique security profiles tailored to your organization’s risk profile.

2. Incident Response Options & SIEM Integration

• FortiAnalyzer for logging & correlation of threats across your network.
• Warning alerts for live ransomware attacks.

3. Zero Trust Implementation

• We enable you to dynamically section traffic and enforce access controls.
• In the event that ransomware comes in, we prevent that from spreading.

4. Incident Response & Forensics

• Ransomware issues already on your plate? We offer fast containment and forensic analysis.

Because trust me—you do not want to be searching for solutions after ransomware has perforated your network.

Conclusion

Here’s my last nugget of advice:

One layer of protection should not be the only one. A phish, or infected endpoint, will still have clicks and access to the world’s best firewall.

Want real protection? You need:

• Gen 2 firewall that prevents ransomware in real-time.
• Network segmentation, so malware can’t spread.
• Firewall policies next to endpoint protection.
• Regular security assessments — attackers evolve, and so must you!

Bottom line: Don’t wait until you’re locked out by ransomware to take action. Deploying the right firewall, configuring it correctly, and ensuring the rest of your security stack is working together to prevent threats before they cost you millions.

So, if you’re serious about protecting your network, reach out. PJ Networks is here to help.