What are secure web gateway technologies? Do you need to deploy these within your company? If so, why?
Secure Web Gateway Technologies
Secure web gateway or SWG technologies refer to a network security product that can review, modify, and control the flow of web traffic to a protected machine. It is a kind of middleware that is designed to work between an untrusted network and a protected one.
Moreover, SWG technologies perform analysis on the data packets that are coming into the protected network. This process is also known as packet filtering. The following are the steps in which packet filtering takes place:
1. The packets are received by SWG technologies and then verified for protocol compliance.
2. The packets are then compared to the rules list or filter list of the security device. If they match, they will be allowed to pass through. If they do not, they will be dropped.
3. The security policies and needs of an organization are also considered before allow or dropping packets from entering into a protected network.
So what does this mean? In simple terms, it means that SWG technologies can filter out unwanted content from entering an organization’s protected network. Such as viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and other forms of malware. Since these can cause harm to the computers within the network like those owned by employees or sensitive customer data.
Furthermore, SWG technologies can be used for more than just filtering malicious content from entering an organization. It can also be used for blocking access to websites that contain pornographic images or videos. As well as gambling sites, music sharing sites, and other content that might not be appropriate for your company’s image.
Finally, SWG technologies can also filter packets based on certain rules. Like limiting bandwidth usage or prioritizing bandwidth allocation based on business needs and requirements through bandwidth throttling.
Secure Web Gateway Technologies: The Benefits
What, then, are the benefits of using these technologies? And why should you use them? Firstly, these tools are usable with a range of different web-based systems. Such as web browsers, web servers, and other forms of the application software used for accessing the internet.
Secondly, these technologies are also used for blocking or filtering out malicious packets that may be infected with viruses, Trojan horses, worms, or other forms of malware.
Fourthly, they can also be used to enable user authentication based on usernames and passwords. Or through biometrics like fingerprint scanners or facial recognition systems.
Fifthly, it can also be used to provide users with access to an organization’s internal network through a virtual private network (VPN). So that users can work from any location in the world as if they were physically present within the organization’s office space(s).
Finally, these technologies are also useful for protecting an organization from denial of service attacks. Through the process of traffic flow control and protocol analysis.
Conclusion
As you can see, SWG technologies are very useful for businesses and organizations. They can easily protect your business from cyber-attacks and any other form of malware on the internet. And they can also be used to help protect your business’s valuable data from being compromised.