Here we will get to know everything about secure web gateway versus WAF. Also, we will get to know the functions of these tools.
Secure Web Gateway versus WAF
A secure web gateway or SWG is a combination of multiple security devices in a single device. It is the most precise and effective solution for web security. A WAF is a web application firewall. Also, it is an application layer device designed to protect the web application from malicious attacks.
Then, an SWG combines multiple security devices in a single device. It controls active content and monitors malicious user behavior. And it prevents access to restricted areas of the network. Also, it can block or allow traffic based on user, application, or content.
On the other hand, WAF is a web application firewall that controls only active content. So, it protects the application layer of the network. It detects and blocks malicious attacks at the application level. This is done by analyzing thousands of rules to detect possible attacks at all levels of the network.
Moreover, it has multiple layers of protection where each layer enforces a different security ruleset. A WAF has only one layer of protection that cannot enforce different security rule sets for each layer of the network.
Then, an SWG is an integrated device that checks each packet against a sequence of policy rules. All before allowing or denying traffic to or from specific applications or users to enforce granular access controls. This is applied across all applications, users, and content.
Further, it delivers multiple security policies based on user credentials, browser type, and server information. This is done by using a single point of connectivity to optimize borderline equipment performance. All while decreasing cost and complexity without impacting performance.
Then, a WAF protects each vulnerable aspect of an application by monitoring requests made by users or third-party. And it also inspects every byte in request and response messages looking for malicious code.
Secure Web Gateway and WAF Benefits
What, then, are the benefits of SWGs vs WAFs? An SWG is a one-stop-shop that provides the highest level of protection for the organization. This is because it inspects requests and responses at every layer of the network. This is done by using a single point of connectivity to optimize borderline equipment performance. All while decreasing cost and complexity without impacting performance.
Moreover, SWG delivers multiple security policies based on user credentials, browser type, and server information. This is done by using a single point of connectivity to optimize borderline equipment performance. All while decreasing cost and complexity without impacting performance.
These devices provide granular control over network access based on user identity and content type. This is what makes it most cost-effective for securing web applications at scale. Then, WAF is an application firewall that controls only active content. So, it protects the application layer of the network.
Conclusion
The comparison between SWG vs WAF shows that SWGs are preferable to WAFs. As they provide maximum security features to web applications as a whole.