Do you know the difference between a secure web gateway and a firewall? If not, then you came to the right post. So, don’t stop reading.
The Difference Between a Secure Web Gateway and a Firewall
There are a lot of differences between a secure web gateway (SWG) and a firewall. Firstly, an SWG is a load balancer while a firewall is a stateful packet inspection system. A load balancer is a network device that distributes the workload over several servers so that you can achieve better performance and scalability.
A firewall, on the other hand, is a dedicated security device used to protect your network from external threats. It inspects every packet that enters or leaves a server to determine whether or not it should be allowed in. Then, an SWG does not inspect packets but simply acts as a proxy server. It sits between the clients and the servers, routing requests and responses to them respectively.
Moreover, another difference between an SWG and a firewall is that an SWG acts as a reverse proxy server. And it provides layer 7 content switching (switching based on the application protocol). On the other hand, firewalls provide only layer 3 switchings (switching based on IP addresses).
Many devices perform both functions, so which one should you get? It depends on your needs. If you want to be able to block malicious traffic before it reaches your servers, then you will need to purchase an SWG.
However, if you are looking for more control over what traffic passes through your network, then you will need to purchase a firewall. Whatever you choose, make sure that your network has some sort of protection mechanism in place.
Using SWG and a Firewall Together
Companies that want to ensure the best protection and security for their business will opt to use both a secure web gateway and a firewall together. Having both of these devices working together can give you the best security possible.
If you are unsure, though, then you can always consult with your IT department or another expert. They can help you decide which one is best for your business.
If you want to start with the two, you can get a cheap VPN here or you can go with something more expensive here. The choice is yours. But what are the best practices when you have these two tools with you?
Firstly, you must ensure that your web gateway and firewall are configured correctly. You have to ensure that you have the latest patches installed as well as the best configuration for your system.
Secondly, you will have to ensure that all of your servers are secured. If you use a load balancer, then you must ensure that all of your servers have the same configuration. This can be in place so that all traffic is routed through your secure web gateway.
Thirdly, you will have to configure your firewall so that it will allow only traffic that is required by your business or network. Finally, you must also make sure that both of your devices are communicating with each other properly. This means testing them regularly and making sure they are still running efficiently.