This article has the key secure web gateway secrets revealed. So, if you are interested in this topic, don’t leave just yet. Keep on scrolling below.
Secure Web Gateway Secrets Revealed
To begin, let us define what a secure web gateway (SWG) is. It refers to a component inside a network firewall that is tasked with inspecting web traffic and blocking malicious content. This is often part of a more comprehensive security solution that also includes a border firewall, an intrusion prevention system, and a next-generation firewall.
Because of its strategic placement at the edge of the network, the SWG is the first access control point for incoming and outgoing traffic. Because of this critical role, understanding what makes it tick can help you more effectively protect your computer network from malicious attacks.
The following tips can help you better understand this key security application:
1. Understand the role of SWGs in your network defenses. It is not just an ordinary firewall to be thrown up because you want to prevent malicious attacks on your computer systems. It is a critical component of a comprehensive security solution. One that is put in place to protect your most critical assets from attacks by external hackers and internal misuse.
2. SWGs are part of an overall security solution and not standalone products. Security solutions are not stand-alone products. But they are integrated components of security measures put in place to protect against specific threats. Having said that though, it is worth noting that SWGs do not operate without other security measures in place. Because they are vulnerable to attacks themselves by their position at the edge of the network.
3. SWGs come in two forms – hardware or software solutions. The hardware-based ones are installed on physical servers that are placed on site. While software-based solutions run on dedicated hardware or virtual machines inside a data center or onsite location.
SWG Benefits
What, then, are the benefits of using SWGs? Aside from blocking malicious content, here are some of the key benefits it can offer:
1. Protection against data loss. Because of its ability to block malicious content from being transmitted to the internal network, the SWG can prevent data loss caused by malware attacks. Better still, it can also stop data leaks caused by accidental exposure through email or FTP.
2. Protection against malware infections. The SWG can prevent malware infections by blocking malicious content from entering the network. This is especially useful for endpoints that are not protected by enterprise solutions such as endpoint protection software solutions.
3. Protection against malvertising. Malicious advertisements can get into a computer system uninvited via web traffic and cause havoc in the system. This is because they can exploit zero-day vulnerabilities and infect computers without any prior notice or warning.
4. Protection against web-based attacks. Web-based attacks are designed to exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers and web servers themselves. By identifying malicious traffic before it gets inside your network, you can protect your systems from these attacks and reduce the risk of data loss.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to enjoy these benefits? Then, start using SWG today.