Plan and prepare for malware protection

This procedure is the first set of steps in the complete process for configuring your system to provide malware protection.

Before you begin

Follow these steps to plan and prepare for malware protection:

Procedure

Step 1

Purchase and install licenses.

Refer to License requirements for file and malware policies and Licenses.

Step 2

Understand how file policies and malware protection fit into your access control plan.

Refer to the chapter Access Control Policies.

Step 3

Understand the file analysis and malware protection tools.

Refer to File rule actions and subtopics.

Consider also Advanced and archive file inspection options.

Step 4

Determine whether you will use public clouds or private (on-premises) clouds for malware protection (file analysis and dynamic analysis.)

Refer to Cloud connections for malware protection and subtopics.

Step 5

If you will use private (on-premises) clouds for malware protection: Purchase, deploy, and test those products.

For information, contact your Cisco sales representative or authorized reseller.

Step 6

Configure your firewall to allow communications with your chosen clouds.

Refer to Security, Internet Access, and Communication Ports.

Step 7

Configure connections between Firepower and the malware protection clouds (public or private, as applicable).

What to do next

Continue with the next step in the malware protection workflow:

Refer to Configure malware protection.