What type of data do firewalls rely on from threat intelligence reports?

Firewalls utilize real-time data on emerging threats from threat intelligence reports to enhance their security posture and response capabilities. This real-time data is crucial as it provides up-to-date information about the latest vulnerabilities, exploits, and attack vectors that cybercriminals are employing. By integrating this information, firewalls can proactively adjust their rules and policies to defend against active threats, block malicious traffic, and prevent potential breaches before they occur. This dynamic approach to threat management is essential in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, where new threats can appear rapidly.

Other types of data, such as static user data, historical attack trends, or local network configuration settings, while potentially useful in specific contexts, do not provide the immediacy and relevancy of current threat data needed for effective proactive defense. Static user data does not change frequently enough to inform real-time decisions, historical trends may reflect past threats rather than current risks, and local configurations pertain more to the specific environment rather than the broader threat landscape. Therefore, the reliance on real-time data allows firewalls to maintain an effective and responsive security strategy.