This blog post will feature easy steps to a great secure web gateway strategy. So, if this sounds interesting to you, then read on.
Easy Steps to a Great Secure Web Gateway Strategy: Early Steps
The first step to a good secure web gateway (SWG) strategy is to understand the difference between SSL inspection and deep packet inspection (DPI). SSL inspection is looking at the application layer of web traffic. And then checking for compliance with encryption standards.
DPI is analyzing each packet of data at the network layer to detect issues such as attacks, policy violations, and other anomalies. Then, the second step is to understand that DPI will be needed in your strategy to find threats before they reach your network perimeter.
Further, the third step is to understand that DPI is not just a signature-based technology. Rather, it can be used in an adaptive mode where the network looks for patterns of misuse. It can also be used in an anomaly-based mode where the network looks for suspicious traffic.
Next, the fourth step is to realize that there are different types of DPI solutions available and these solutions tend to be targeted at specific needs. For example:
- Network Firewall (NFW). Firewall vendor has created a DPI solution that uses Application Identification (AI) rules to inspect traffic coming into their firewall. NFW solutions tend to focus on features like blocking malware, phishing attacks, and botnet activity.
- Network IPS (NIPS). IPS vendor has created a DPI solution that uses AI rules to inspect traffic leaving their firewall. NIPS solutions tend to focus on feature sets like blocking malware, phishing attacks, botnet activity, and advanced threat protection.
- IDS/IPS Security vendor has created a DPI solution that uses AI rules to inspect traffic leaving their firewall. IDS/IPS solutions tend to focus on feature sets like blocking malware, phishing attacks, botnet activity, and advanced threat protection.
Easy Steps to a Great Secure Web Gateway Strategy: Final Steps
The fifth step is to choose how you want your DPI solution presented. This means you need to decide if you want to use a firewall, IPS, or IDS/IPS device. Then you need to decide if you want an appliance or a virtual solution.
Next, the sixth step is to choose the DPI capabilities you want to use. For example, do you want to inspect for malware, phishing attacks, botnet activity, and advanced threats? Then the seventh step is to choose how you want your data presented. Meaning, do you want reports and alerts via email or SMS text messaging?
Lastly, the eighth step is to configure and deploy the solution. And once deployed, enable automation of tuning to adapt to changes in traffic patterns over time. You now have a good start on creating a secure web gateway strategy using DPI inspection.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is easy to start a secure web gateway strategy that uses DPI. The main thing you need to understand is what DPI is and how it works. Then you need to understand the different options that are on the market today. And then once you have that knowledge, you can begin planning, implementing, and deploying your strategy.