Modernizing Hybrid Security: Deploying VM-Series as a Unified Firewall and Proxy

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Modernizing Hybrid Security: Deploying VM-Series as a Unified Firewall and Proxy

As organizations navigate the shift to hybrid environments in 2026, Palo Alto Networks provides CISOs with a streamlined path to modernize web security by integrating explicit and transparent web proxy capabilities directly into the VM-Series Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW). Security leaders in regulated sectors like finance and energy often struggle to maintain legacy proxy architectures while migrating to the cloud, frequently facing the dilemma of backhauling traffic or undertaking risky network rearchitectures. To solve this, the VM-Series allows enterprises to enforce consistent security policies and meet strict compliance mandates, such as NIST 800-53, without the operational overhead of managing disparate standalone appliances. By deploying these virtualized proxy functions alongside a load balancer, organizations can scale their defenses against sophisticated zero-day attacks while significantly reducing total cost of ownership.

 

Consolidate infrastructure to reduce total cost of ownership

Eliminate the need for standalone web proxy hardware by leveraging the integrated capabilities of the VM-Series platform. This consolidation allows your teams to simplify infrastructure and reduce expenses by:

• Reducing physical footprint: Decrease the density of assets and rack space required in your data centers.
• Streamlining procurement: Use a single vendor for both firewall and proxy functions to simplify the buying process.
• Lowering operational costs: Reduce expenses associated with ongoing maintenance, power, and physical space.

Meet regulatory requirements without complex network rearchitecting

Address mandatory compliance frameworks, such as NIST 800-53, by maintaining an explicit proxy architecture where required by law or industry standards. This approach allows you to satisfy auditors in the financial and energy sectors who demand granular control over web traffic without the risk of a full-scale network overhaul. The solution ensures that systems without a default route can still securely download essential updates and patches through a controlled gateway.

 

Protect distributed environments using a single management console

Simplify security operations by managing all web proxy and firewall policies from a centralized "single pane of glass". This unified management provides your Security Operations Center (SOC) with consistent visibility and role-based access controls across data centers, campuses, and remote branches. Consistent policy enforcement ensures that security posture remains independent of a user’s physical location, reducing the risk of configuration drift.

 

Deploy flexible architectures tailored to specific business needs

Choose between deployment models based on your current infrastructure and user experience goals:

• Explicit proxy deployments: Provide clear traffic flow and integrate easily with existing browser configurations.

• Transparent deployments: Offer a seamless experience for end-users by redirecting traffic without requiring client-side changes. This flexibility enables you to adapt your security strategy as your organization migrates workloads to the cloud.

 

Block sophisticated threats with inline AI and machine learning

Leverage advanced threat prevention capabilities, including SSL decryption and URL filtering, to stop modern web-based malware in real time. The VM-Series ensures that even encrypted traffic is thoroughly inspected by:

• Using inline AI-powered models: Identify and block zero-day attacks in real time to prevent "patient zero" infections.

• Incorporating deep inspection: Integrate sandboxing and anti-spyware directly into the proxy flow.

• Ensuring consistent visibility: Manage all web proxy and firewall policies from a centralized "single pane of glass".

Ready to dive deeper? Read the Securing Web Traffic with VM-Series as a Web Proxy Solution Brief to see how you can modernize your web security with VM-Series, and take a look at the Reference Architecture for a step-by-step guide on how to set it up.