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  1. Home>
  2. IT Topics>
  3. Security>
  4. Firewall Monitoring
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Firewall Monitoring with PRTG

Lock down the security of your network and data

  • Get end-to-end visibility into your firewalls‘ availability and health
  • Stay on top of vulnerabilities and network security events in real time
  • Monitor network traffic flow and firewall performance effortlessly
Free download
product overview

Our users give top ratings for monitoring with Paessler PRTG

Gartner peer insights
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PRTG firewall monitoring: What you will find on this page

Table of content
  • Enhance your network security with firewall monitoring and PRTG
  • What firewall monitoring looks like in PRTG
  • 4 more reasons to choose PRTG as your firewall monitoring tool
  • Explore our preconfigured PRTG sensors for firewall monitoring
  • Monitoring firewalls: FAQ

PRTG makes firewall traffic monitoring as easy as it gets

Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent firewall downtime and other network security issues.

Free download
PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Enhance your network security with firewall monitoring and PRTG

Firewalls are critical for network security, but without monitoring, any weakness, performance issues, or potential intrusions might go unnoticed. Paessler PRTG firewall monitoring helps you maintain visibility and security, detecting unusual access patterns or attacks before they impact your network.

Capture and analyze flow data

Spotting intrusions and unauthorized access attempts without a dedicated firewall monitoring tool can be challenging – often nearly impossible in real-time. Our firewall monitoring software automates this process, reducing manual work and accelerating troubleshooting.

With NetFlow, sFlow, and jFlow sensors, PRTG captures, monitors, and analyzes irregular patterns or unexpected traffic destinations to keep your network secure.

Speed up your security response

Manually identifying and responding to security threats is time-consuming and can increase the risk of damage or data loss. PRTG speeds up your response time with custom alert thresholds. IT teams receive instant alerts when specified events occur, such as a firewall that is down.

With real-time notifications, PRTG enables faster action to prevent threats from escalating, providing proactive and efficient network protection.

Gain visibility into firewall health

Performance drops, hardware stress, and unauthorized access can weaken your firewall security, leading to potential vulnerabilities. PRTG leverages SNMP sensors specifically designed to track and analyze firewall health in real time.

With PRTG, you can continuously monitor essential metrics like CPU load, memory usage, and uptime, ensuring your network firewall is always optimized and secure.

Track and analyze firewall logs

Firewall logs provide necessary insights into network activity, capturing details on both allowed and blocked connections. PRTG’s log monitoring capabilities alert you if log entries spike or certain text strings appears in a log file, keeping your network more secure.

Customize alerts for specific log events – such as attempts from known malicious IP addresses – spot patterns, detect anomalies, and quickly identify signs of potential security breaches.

Manage VPN traffic effectively

VPNs extend network access to remote users, but they also introduce additional security risks if not properly monitored. PRTG’s firewall monitoring keeps a close eye on VPN traffic by tracking unusual traffic patterns, access attempts, bandwidth usage, and connection times.

Protect your network from hackers and malware by setting up specific checkpoints to quickly detect and respond to unexpected login locations. Stay secure while fully supporting remote work.

What firewall monitoring looks like in PRTG

Diagnose network issues by continuously tracking the availability, health, and performance of your firewalls. Show response time, data traffic, open ports, connected SSL clients, CPU and memory usage, and other key metrics in real time. Visualize monitoring data in clear graphs and dashboards to identify problems more easily. Gain the overview you need to troubleshoot firewall downtime and other security issues.

PRTG Screenshot device tree view

Device tree view of the complete monitoring setup

PRTG screenshot map entire it infrastructure

Custom PRTG dashboard for keeping an eye on the entire IT infrastructure

PRTG screenshot graph live data traffic

Live traffic data graph in PRTG

Start monitoring your firewalls with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.

Free download
PRODUCT OVERVIEW

IT experts agree: Paessler PRTG is a great solution for IT infrastructure monitoring

PCMag

“All-around winning
 network monitor”

IT Brief

“The real beauty of PRTG is the endless possibilities it offers”

ITPro

“PRTG Network Monitor 
is very hard to beat”

4 more reasons to choose PRTG as your firewall monitoring tool

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We do all the monitoring

PRTG goes beyond firewall monitoring to offer a comprehensive suite of tools for network observability. With PRTG, you get all-in-one network monitoring with 24/7/365 visibility, so you can optimize your network traffic, device performance, routers, servers, and more.

Keep your network devices running smoothly and your traffic secure with PRTG as your unified monitoring solution.

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We play well with other vendors

PRTG works jointly with most routers and firewalls, making it a flexible solution for nearly any network setup. Supported systems – with preconfigured sensors – include Cisco ASA, Juniper, SonicWall, and Fortinet.

Additionally, PRTG supports any SNMP-compatible device for broad compatibility, for example Mikrotik, Sophos UTM, Palo Alto, Barracuda, Draytek, or Checkpoint.

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One dashboard to rule them all 

PRTG brings all your monitoring needs together in a single, highly customizable dashboard. Whether you’re tracking performance metrics, firewall health, or the status of an operating system, PRTG displays it all in one place.

Start with a bird’s-eye view of your entire network and drill down into granular details like specific processes or devices with just a few clicks.

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Monitor on-premises or off-site 

With PRTG, your network is always within reach, whether you're in the office, on the go, or relaxing at the beach. PRTG delivers network details wherever you have an internet or phone connection.

Stay informed with customizable notifications and alerts that can be sent to designated team members based on issue type and priority level. Choose from SMS, push notifications, email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and more to ensure you're always in the loop – no matter where you are.

Explore our preconfigured PRTG sensors for firewall monitoring

PRTG comes with more than 250 native sensor types for monitoring your entire on-premises, cloud, and hybrid cloud environment out of the box. Check out some examples below!

FortiGate VPN Overview

The FortiGate VPN Overview sensor monitors the virtual private network (VPN) connections of a Fortinet FortiGate system. It can show the following:

  • Number of SSL clients that are connected
  • Number of IPsec tunnels that are down
  • Number of IPsec tunnels that are up
FortiGate VPN Overview
FortiGate VPN Overview

SNMP SonicWall System Health

The SNMP SonicWall System Health sensor monitors health values of a SonicWall Network Security Appliance (NSA) . It can show the following:

  • Connection cache usage
  • CPU usage
  • Memory usage
SNMP SonicWall System Health
SNMP SonicWall System Health

SNMP Juniper NS System Health

The SNMP Juniper NS System Health sensor monitors the system health of a Juniper NetScreen device. It can show the following:

  • CPU usage
  • Memory usage
  • Power supply status
  • Session usage
  • System temperature
SNMP Juniper NS System Health
SNMP Juniper NS System Health

SNMP Cisco ASA VPN Users

The SNMP Cisco ASA VPN Users sensor monitors account connections to a VPN on a Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance. It can show the following:

  • Account status
  • Number of connected accounts
SNMP Cisco ASA VPN Users
SNMP Cisco ASA VPN Users

See the PRTG Manual for a list of all available sensor types.

PRTG is compatible with all major vendors, products, and systems

compatible with all major vendors, products, and systems

 

PRTG makes firewall traffic monitoring as easy as it gets

Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent firewall downtime and other network security issues.

Free download
PRODUCT OVERVIEW

”PRTG helps us monitor critical security systems to give customers the peace of mind that their devices are operational and protecting their valuable assets.”

Rob Jackson, President
Integrated Precision Systems

“When it comes to security, we do of course use classic tools such as firewalls, virus scanners, and intrusion detection systems. However, these are no longer enough today. PRTG provides for additional security by detecting unusual behavior which may be a sign that a hacker has outsmarted our security systems.”

Damir Karacic, IT Administrator
Noris Inklusion

“Monitoring with PRTG is crucial for security. Today’s threats can move low and slow, so in addition to looking at the usual suspects, you also need to keep tabs on other indicators. For example, if a server is running a peak capacity for no apparent reason, you want to know so you can take a look and see what’s up – for example an open connection that is being used to extract data in a ransomware attack.”

Jon Larsen, CIO
Richweb

“The best thing about PRTG is that it provides for simple and effective monitoring, all the while respecting the security requirements of manufacturers. PRTG is so easy to use, that many of our monitoring tasks are now handled by our interns. We will definitely expand our use of the software in the future.”

Karsten Boettger, Head of IT
LAKUMED Clinics

Your firewall monitor at a glance – even on the go

PRTG is set up in a matter of minutes and can be used on a wide variety of mobile devices.

device overview
Gartner peer insights

“Excellent tool for detailed monitoring. Alarms and notifications work greatly. Equipment addition is straight forward and server initial setup is very easy. ...feel safe to purchase it if you intend to monitor a large networking landscape.”

Read the complete review at Gartner Peer Insights

Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s IT partners

Partnering with innovative IT vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.

IP Fabric

IP Fabric

Combining PRTG’s broad monitoring feature set with IP Fabric’s automated network assurance creates a new level of network visibility and reliability.

Read more
Schildknecht

Schildknecht

With condition monitoring and retrofitting, PRTG and Schildknecht DATAEAGLE make even older production plants competitive.

Read more
KnowledgeRiver

KnowledgeRiver

Combining their tools to a powerful solution for advanced analysis and automation, KnowledgeRiver and Paessler enable IT teams to ensure best performance for their infrastructure and networks.

Read more

Find the root cause of the problem with our PRTG firewall monitoring solution

Real-time notifications mean faster troubleshooting so that you can act before more serious issues occur.

Free download
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Paessler PRTG

Paessler PRTG

Network Monitoring Software – Version 24.4.102.1351 (November 12th, 2024)

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Monitor everything

Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more

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Firewall Monitoring: FAQ

 

What is a firewall monitor?

A firewall monitor is a tool that provides IT teams with visibility into firewall performance, network security events, and traffic flow. It continuously monitors firewalls for key metrics such as traffic patterns, routing efficiency, and system health to make sure networks remain secure and high-performing.

What does firewall monitoring do?

Firewall monitoring in PRTG provides automation for traditionally manual IT tasks. In addition to analyzing security events, a firewall monitor tracks downtime, helping teams quickly identify and resolve availability issues. It also supports performance monitoring to optimize firewall functionality and manage bandwidth effectively.

Why is firewall monitoring essential?

Firewalls are a fundamental layer of network defense, serving as a gatekeeper to protect your systems from unauthorized access and potential threats. However, without continuous monitoring, your firewall could become a blind spot. Issues like misconfigurations, performance degradation, or even undetected intrusions can compromise your network security.

By maintaining constant visibility and control, PRTG helps you optimize firewall performance, enforce security policies, and protect critical network boundaries, making it an indispensable tool for proactive network management.

What data does PRTG gather?

PRTG collects a wide range of data to provide comprehensive insights into your network and firewall activity. Key metrics include:

  • Traffic of inbound and outbound connections (LAN and WiFi): Monitor the flow of data entering and leaving your network, whether over wired or wireless connections, to understand usage patterns and detect anomalies.
  • Firewall status: Keep track of your firewall’s health and performance, including metrics like uptime, CPU usage, memory load, and configuration changes.
  • Most used connections (NetFlow-specific): Identify the top connections consuming network bandwidth, helping you pinpoint resource-heavy devices or activities.
  • Most active senders (NetFlow-specific): Track which devices or users are sending the most data to ensure fair usage or detect potential security threats.
  • Most used protocols (NetFlow-specific): Analyze the types of network traffic (e.g., HTTP, FTP, VoIP) passing through your firewall to optimize performance and manage bandwidth efficiently.
What is a sensor in PRTG?

In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive. On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.

We asked: would you recommend PRTG? Over 95% of our customers say yes!

Paessler conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins. The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.

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Still not convinced?

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More than 500,000 sysadmins love PRTG

Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier.

PRTG

Monitor your entire IT infrastructure

Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network.

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Try Paessler PRTG for free

Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free.

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Start monitoring your firewalls with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.

Free download
PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Products

  • Paessler PRTG
    Paessler PRTGMonitor your whole IT infrastructure
    • PRTG Network Monitor
    • PRTG Enterprise Monitor
    • PRTG Hosted Monitor
    • PRTG extensions
      Extensions for Paessler PRTGExtend your monitoring to a new level
  • Icon Features
    FeaturesExplore all monitoring features

Monitoring with PRTG

  • Network monitoring
  • Bandwidth monitoring
  • SNMP monitoring
  • Network mapping
  • Wi-Fi monitoring
  • Server monitoring
  • Network traffic analyzer
  • NetFlow monitoring
  • Syslog server

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Paessler GmbH
Thurn-und-Taxis-Str. 14, 
90411 Nuremberg 
Germany

info@paessler.com

+49 911 93775-0

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