Here we will know some of the secure web gateway secrets you never knew. Also, we will know why these are crucial today. So, read on.
Secure Web Gateway Secrets You Never Knew
To begin, let us define what a secure web gateway (SWG) is. SWG is a network security device that uses a software-based and hardware-based firewall to protect the network from intruders. SWG is responsible for enforcing security policies. Such as authentication and encryption, for secure network access.
Then, an SWG usually works in conjunction with a RADIUS server or authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server. The SWG and the AAA server work together to provide a comprehensive authentication mechanism.
A user logs in to the network by providing his credentials on the web pages served by the AAA server. The AAA server then sends this information to the SWG that authenticates the user. This process of receiving information from a remote host and sending it to another remote host is called proxying.
So, SWGs perform this function for traffic on TCP ports 80 and 443. These ports are commonly used for HTTP (web) and HTTPS (SSL) services. SWGs also support FTP access through port 990 and POP3/IMAP access through port 110.
Types of Secure Web Gateway
Nowadays, there are two types of SWGs available in the market: hardware-based and software-based. A hardware-based SWG is a dedicated network appliance that performs all of its functions in hardware.
In comparison, a software-based SWG runs on an application server. Such as an Apache or Microsoft IIS platform as an external module or add-on. An internal module is more secure than an external one. Because it can be installed inside a company’s firewall network.
Additionally, it can be configured to accept traffic only from trusted hosts or networks, thereby reducing the risk of intrusion by hackers. On the other hand, an external module is more flexible because it doesn’t require any additional infrastructure. It can be installed on any existing hardware platform within minutes.
Hardware-based SWGs are generally more expensive than software-based ones. However, they provide better performance than software-based ones do.
The main advantage of using hardware-based secure web gateways is that they have high performance. Thus, it makes them suitable for high bandwidth applications such as video streaming, file sharing, and more.
Why Use SWG
Why, then, should your company consider using SWG? Firstly, this tool is suitable for companies and organizations of all sizes. It doesn’t matter whether your network is large or small. SWG provides the same services to both large and small networks.
Secondly, SWG helps keep your network safe from all types of threats. Such as viruses, spyware, worms, and Trojans. It also keeps your network safe from unwanted intruders.
Thirdly, SWG helps you shield your data from unauthorized access.
Finally, SWG helps you monitor internet usage on your network. This feature is useful to organizations in industries such as healthcare and education where employees require internet access for work-related tasks only. Using this feature you can monitor internet usage by time and application.
So, what are you waiting for? Start looking for the right SWG for your company.