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Platform Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual
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Network Malware Protection and File Policies Network Malware Protection and File Policies How to Configure Malware Protection Plan and Prepare for Malware Protection

Last updated: Jul 29, 2025

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.

Procedure

1

Purchase and install licenses.

See License Requirements for File and Malware Policies and Licenses.
2

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

See the chapter Access Control Overview.
3

Understand the file analysis and malware protection tools.

See File Rule Actions and subtopics.

Consider also Advanced and Archive File Inspection Options.
4

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

See Cloud Connections for Malware Protection and subtopics.
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.
6

Configure your firewall to allow communications with your chosen clouds.

See Security, Internet Access, and Communication Ports.
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:

    See How to Configure Malware Protection.

    Previous topic How to Configure Malware Protection Next topic Configure File Policies