Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) are designed to go beyond the capabilities of traditional firewalls by incorporating advanced features such as deep packet inspection and application awareness. Deep packet inspection allows the firewall to examine the data within the packets passing through it, enabling it to identify and control applications, detect intrusions, and prevent attacks. Application awareness refers to the firewall's ability to recognize and control applications regardless of the port or protocol used for communication, providing more granular traffic management and security.