Beyond the Perimeter: Why DDI is the Cornerstone of Modern DNS Security

The blind spots of firewalls and SASE

Firewalls: A firewall's primary function is to control network traffic based on rules, ports and protocols. However, firewalls are often blind to the nuances of DNS. While some next-gen firewalls (NGFWs) have "bolted-on" DNS features, they are not native DNS servers. They can't interpret the full context of a DNS query or response, which is a critical vulnerability.

Packet-centric, not DNS-centric: Firewalls inspect data packets but aren't designed to understand the purpose of every DNS query. They may allow traffic on port 53 (the standard DNS port) to pass through without in-depth inspection, leaving the door open for threats.

Late in the game: By the time a firewall sees a malicious packet, the DNS resolution may have already occurred. This is a reactive rather than proactive approach.

Limited threat intelligence: Firewalls have improved with threat intelligence feeds added to their product line, but they often lack the deep, real-time threat intelligence feeds that a specialized DNS security provider uses to identify and block new malicious domains. By the time traffic reaches firewalls, a connection is already being established.

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge): SASE solutions, while excellent for securing a distributed workforce, are an architecture or a service model that combines various security functions, including firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), secure web gateway (SWG), and zero-trust network access (ZTNA). They are not a single technology. SASE solutions can often benefit from tight integration with a DDI provider as a means to enhance IP address utilization, DHCP scope visibility and deep DNS security.

Lack of native integration: SASE providers may offer secure DNS as part of their service, but it's often not a natively integrated component of the core network services. A fragmented approach can lead to gaps in security and management. Infoblox can seamlessly integrate with many SASE providers to close security gaps in DNS.

Focus on the user, not the network: SASE is primarily focused on securing the connection between the user and their applications. A DDI solution, however, provides deep, network-wide visibility into all DNS traffic—whether it's from a user, an IoT device, or a server.

Why DDI (DNS, DHCP, IPAM) is the Ultimate Solution

A DDI provider offers a unified platform for DNS, DHCP and IP address management (IPAM). This integration is the key to providing a superior level of security that a firewall or SASE solution simply cannot match.

A single source of truth: DDI provides a "Network Source of Truth." Because it manages the DNS server, DHCP and every IP address on your network, it has unparalleled visibility. It knows which device, user and application is communicating with which domain, both on-premises and in the cloud. This full context is invaluable for threat detection.

Proactive and early detection: DNS is the first step in almost every network connection. By securing DNS at the source, a DDI provider can block malicious activity before it even begins. This proactive defense can stop malware, ransomware and phishing attacks by preventing devices from ever connecting to a malicious domain.

Unmatched threat intelligence: A DDI provider's business is DNS security. They leverage real-time, AI-driven threat intelligence and behavioral analytics to identify and block new threats early in their lifecycle. This includes:

DNS tunneling: The ability to detect and prevent data exfiltration hidden within DNS queries.

DGA (domain generation algorithms): The use of AI-driven algorithms to identify domains created by malware to bypass traditional signature-based detection.

Zero-day threats: DDI solutions can identify and block domains for threats that are too new to be on a traditional blocklist.

Granular control and policy enforcement: DDI allows you to enforce security policies at a highly granular level, down to the individual device or user. This is a core component of a Zero Trust architecture, where every access request is verified. You can control which applications and domains are allowed or denied, and for whom, across your entire network, including remote workers.

Seamless integration: A DDI solution doesn't replace your firewall or SASE. Instead, it complements them by providing a foundational layer of security. Through open APIs, DDI can integrate with your existing security ecosystem, such as SIEM and SOAR, to provide valuable forensic data and automate threat response.

In the end, while firewalls and SASE are critical for a layered defense, they are not the definitive solution for DNS security. By leveraging a DDI provider, you're not just adding another security tool; you're building a native, intelligent and proactive security foundation that closes the gaps firewalls and SASE leave open.