The company requires a solution to proactively inspect incoming traffic and block known malicious files before they reach endpoints. A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is designed for this purpose. Unlike traditional firewalls, an NGFW integrates advanced security features such as deep packet inspection (DPI), an intrusion prevention system (IPS), and advanced malware protection (AMP). These capabilities allow the NGFW to analyze the content of network traffic, identify malicious files based on signatures, hashes, or behavioral analysis, and block them at the network perimeter. This adds a crucial layer of preventative security that complements the existing reactive endpoint detection and response (EDR) system.

B. traditional firewall: A traditional firewall operates at Layers 3 and 4, filtering traffic based on IP addresses and ports, but lacks the ability to inspect file content for malware.

C. host-based firewall: This operates on the individual endpoint. The goal is to prevent the malicious file from reaching the endpoint in the first place, which requires a network-level solution.

D. eBPF: This is a powerful in-kernel virtual machine technology used for networking and observability, not a standalone security product designed for advanced threat filtering.

1. Cisco, "What Is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)?" (Official Vendor Documentation). In the section "Key functions of an NGFW," it states: "Unlike most traditional firewalls, NGFWs include... advanced malware protection... An NGFW can block malware from entering a network, averting an infection in the first place." This directly supports the use of an NGFW to prevent malicious files from being delivered.

Source: Cisco.com, "What Is a Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)?", Accessed from Cisco's main website under Products & Services > Security.

2. Cisco Secure Firewall Data Sheet. (Official Vendor Documentation). This document details the capabilities of Cisco's NGFW solution. Under the "Stop more threats" section, it lists "Advanced Malware Protection (AMP)" as a key feature that "continuously analyzes file activity across your extended network... to quickly detect, block, and contain malware."

Source: Cisco Secure Firewall Data Sheet, Page 2, "Features and benefits" table.

3. Omar Santos, CCNP and CCIE Security Core SCOR 350-701 Official Cert Guide, Cisco Press, 2020. Chapter 11, "Next-Generation Firewall and Intrusion Prevention Systems," explains that NGFWs provide application visibility and control (AVC), NGIPS, and Advanced Malware Protection (AMP). It clarifies that traditional stateful firewalls "do not have the capability to identify and block traffic based on applications or to protect the network against complex attacks and malware."

Source: Chapter 11, "Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)" section.