A secure web gateway solution (SWG) is a security technology between employees and the wider internet, blocking access to sites that aren’t approved. Businesses use SWGs to enforce acceptable use policies, prevent access to inappropriate content and protect remote employees’ devices from malicious websites. SWGs can be installed as software-only or hardware appliances running in the cloud or on company premises. They can also be deployed as a proxy servers to inspect web traffic on behalf of user machines.
Protecting Data
A secure web gateway solution is a security appliance that inspects all Internet traffic and blocks malicious applications, viruses, and websites. It also enables organizations to enforce corporate policies on Web usage while keeping the security of network users and business information intact.
These solutions can be deployed in various ways, including hardware, virtual, or software. Some enterprises choose to deploy them in a hybrid manner, combining on-premise and cloud deployments. They can monitor and inspect SSL/TLS traffic to ensure user requests adhere to defined policies. Moreover, they can block malicious traffic and protect against injection attacks. Another key functionality of a secure web gateway is URL filtering, which helps businesses to prevent malware infections by analyzing and blocking unauthorized sites. This functionality can use a database of known malicious URLs and their categories. Some SWGs also perform MITM for SSL/TLS inspection to prevent access to restricted data sources. This feature helps businesses to keep sensitive data such as credit card information, medical records, and intellectual property safe from theft. A secure web gateway should provide a detailed dashboard with a top-down view of web traffic and other performance data such as IPS, anti-malware, and URL filtering. It gives administrators a clear picture of the health of their network. It also enables them to troubleshoot issues faster by providing detailed information about network connectivity and application usage.
Increasing Security
A secure web gateway (SWG) inspects and analyzes all incoming and outgoing web traffic. This inspection is done in real-time to ensure that all incoming and outgoing data is protected from threats. This process is similar to that of a firewall. However, SWG solutions do more than monitor incoming and outgoing traffic. They also scan network traffic for malware. It allows them to identify and block suspicious activity before it causes a problem. The SWG can be software or hardware that plugs into an organization’s IT infrastructure. It is a flexible and affordable way to protect your business from threats. Another critical function of a secure web gateway is its ability to inspect outgoing web traffic and block data that violates corporate policy. It helps to prevent sensitive information from being stolen and used maliciously.
Generally, outbound traffic is inspected for specific patterns and phrases that are known to match social security numbers, credit card data, medical information, intellectual property, and more. These data checks help to protect your company’s critical assets and can be performed natively by a secure web gateway or through an integration partner.
As remote work rules the workplace, many organizations are becoming targets of cyberattacks. These attacks target companies’ networks and systems by exposing them to new attack vectors in web traffic. It can lead to damage to operations and data leakage.
Boosting Performance
There are several key factors to consider when it comes to boosting performance. For instance, you need to know how much bandwidth your organization needs to achieve optimal results from a secure web gateway solution. Another thing to keep in mind is the capabilities and underlying technology your solution uses. For example, you need to determine whether the security solution you are considering is a software-based or hardware appliance deployed at an on-premises location or in the cloud. A secure web gateway (SWG) is an ad-hoc network component that filters out unwanted network traffic to reduce bandwidth use and improve overall performance. It is often located at the network’s perimeter but can also be deployed inside your data center to optimize efficiency.
Among the essential features of an SWG is its ability to recognize and differentiate legitimate traffic from suspicious or malicious network activity. It allows it to identify and block incoming malware, viruses and spyware before they can damage your network. A good SWG should also offer granular controls for your business applications and data to help you avoid the pitfalls of unsecured networks. It includes a variety of functions, such as content filtering, traffic monitoring, and user identification. In addition, you should look for a secure web gateway designed to comply with regulatory requirements such as PCI data encryption and the GDPR.
Increasing Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most important reasons to adopt secure web gateway solutions. They allow organizations to control what data employees can access or block specific applications altogether. It helps companies comply with corporate security policies and protects data from malware. To accomplish this, SWGs monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to check for any violations of company policy. They also inspect the content of web traffic to identify new threats. SWGs can be deployed as software solutions, cloud-based services, or physical appliances that plug into a business’s network infrastructure. All SWGs inspect incoming and outgoing data to determine whether it should be allowed, blocked or quarantined. Some SWGs use a database of URL categories to filter traffic that may be dangerous or violate company policies. These lists are secured in the SWG solution’s database and applied when web traffic attempts to enter or leave an organization’s network. SWGs can also protect businesses from cyberattacks by blocking malicious or unauthorized websites that might try to penetrate an organization’s network. It helps protect employees from malicious websites and data theft while protecting businesses from ransomware attacks.
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