What additional capability does Azure Firewall have that Network Security Groups do not?

Azure Firewall offers advanced capabilities that significantly enhance security posture, one of which is threat intel-based filtering. This feature allows Azure Firewall to automatically filter network traffic based on threat intelligence data. This means that it can block known malicious IP addresses and domains, providing real-time protection against emerging threats.

In contrast, Network Security Groups (NSGs) primarily focus on basic packet filtering and are limited to the allowance or denial of traffic based on predefined rules. While they can control inbound and outbound traffic to Azure resources, they do not have the ability to integrate with threat intelligence sources for proactive security measures. This sets Azure Firewall apart, as it utilizes up-to-date intelligence to adjust security policies dynamically and mitigate potential risks from widely known threats.

Additionally, features like URL whitelisting are part of Azure Firewall's capabilities, allowing users to manage access to specific web resources based on URLs. While both NSGs and Azure Firewall can handle aspects of security, the ability to leverage threat intelligence represents a critical advancement provided by Azure Firewall, enhancing its functionality for comprehensive cloud security management.