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What is a Secure Web Gateway All About?

by Andrew Hanson

What is a Secure Web Gateway (SWG)? An SWG encrypts and decrypts network traffic for security purposes. After inspection, the gateway re-encrypts the traffic before forwarding it to the web server or user. Encryption alters data, making it appear random. Decryption is the opposite process.

It is more flexible and less costly.

While it may cost more upfront, the benefits of a Cloud-based SaaS gateway outweigh the initial costs. They offer more flexibility and less charge; they also avoid the high upkeep costs of on-premise solutions. For example, an on-premise license requires upfront payment, implementation, and maintenance, including hiring IT staff. In addition, ongoing prices include performance tuning, integration issues, upgrades, and patches draining valuable IT resources from Fortinet.com.

When considering cloud-based SaaS gateways, companies should focus on defining the financial benefits they hope to realize from the service. These benefits range from modest to substantial. For instance, cloud computing can handle an increasing load without trouble but can also be scaled down if necessary. This feature is precious if a company experiences peak periods in its business. Cloud computing also allows a company to adjust its infrastructure size according to its needs, which is ideal for a rapidly growing industry.

It integrates with zero-day anti-malware solutions.

In the last year alone, companies have seen cyberattacks increase by 151%, and each attack costs an average of $3.6 billion. As a result, companies want to protect themselves from these attacks by taking proactive measures, such as deploying Secure Web Gateways to limit internet usage to business-critical functions. Moreover, these solutions help prevent the spread of malware by preventing end-users from visiting malicious websites.

Secure Web Gateways integrate with zero-day antivirus solutions to further secure the organization’s internet connections. They also support remote access via VPN.

It scans network traffic for signs of data exfiltration.

A secure web gateway is an essential part of any security strategy. It prevents data exfiltration by inspecting inline network traffic to block malicious websites and malware. In addition, a secure web gateway ensures that only approved sites are accessible to users by blocking infected websites. This means that an organization can rest easy knowing its data is safe.

A secure web gateway is a software or hardware device that sits between the Internet and internal users. All network traffic must pass through the gateway for evaluation. Once inside, the security solution checks the traffic for signs of malicious code, attempted URL connections, and web application use. It also checks URLs against a list of approved sites and blocks access to those sites. Typically, gateways maintain allowlist and blocklist databases that allow only trusted websites to access the network.

It enforces internet access policies.

A Secure Web Gateway allows organizations to control the amount of time their employees and others can spend online. These policies restrict access to specific websites, applications, and social media. According to Gartner, 74% of organizations will experience some form of malicious activity in 2021, estimated that between 600 and 800 sites will be infected with malware each week. The costs can quickly mount if an attack goes undetected for long periods. An effective Secure Web Gateway can help businesses prevent these risks by blocking access to potentially malicious websites and applications.

In addition to implementing Internet access policies, Secure Web Gateways are designed to provide a layered security solution that includes a next-generation firewall, malware protection, DNS security, and multi-factor authentication. In addition, Versa Secure Web Gateways include market-leading IPS engines, anomaly-based detection, and multi-factor authentication. These solutions offer comprehensive protection for enterprise networks that span multiple operating systems, IoT devices, and BYOD (bring your instrument) policies.

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