An example network system includes processing circuitry and one or more memories coupled to the processing circuitry. The one or more memories are configured to store instructions which cause the system to obtain telemetry data, the telemetry data being associated with a plurality of applications running on a plurality of hosts. The instructions cause the system to, based on the telemetry data, determine a subset of applications of the plurality of applications that run on a first host of the plurality of hosts. The instructions cause the system to determine a subset of firewall policies of a plurality of firewall polices, each of the subset of firewall policies applying to at least one respective application of the subset of applications. The instructions cause the system to generate an indication of the subset of firewall policies and send the indication to a management plane of a distributed firewall.