Patent attributes
Multi-tenant cloud-based firewall systems and methods are described. The firewall systems and methods can operate overlaid with existing branch office firewalls or routers as well as eliminate the need for physical firewalls. The firewall systems and methods can protect users at user level control, regardless of location, device, etc., over all ports and protocols (not only ports 80/443) while providing administrators a single unified policy for Internet access and integrated reporting and visibility. The firewall systems and methods can eliminate dedicated hardware at user locations, providing a software-based cloud solution. The firewall systems and methods support application awareness to identify application; user awareness to identify users, groups, and locations regardless of physical address; visibility and policy management providing unified administration, policy management, and reporting; threat protection and compliance to block threats and data leaks in real-time; high performance through an in-line cloud-based, scalable system; etc.