What is the secret of secure web gateway (SWG) that you should know? Why is this important? Explore the reasons below.
The Secret of Secure Web Gateway
To begin, an SWG is a gateway to the Internet. It is a demilitarized zone (DMZ) that is separated from the corporate network. This DMZ contains an outside-facing web and FTP server which are used by Internet users. The SWG also contains an inside-facing web and FTP server which are used by employees within the company.
Moreover, the SWG allows employees within the company to access and exchange information over the Web with external users. But it does not allow external users to access internal servers. The SWG also allows for the use of a firewall to control access to servers in the DMZ.
What does this mean for you? The secret of SWG is knowing that it is important to keep your company’s data safe from unauthorized users, especially those on the Internet.
What can happen if you do not use an SWG? If you do not use an SWG, you expose your data and your network to vulnerabilities. Even if you have a firewall on your network, hackers will likely attempt to get through your firewall and gain access to your network via the Internet.
Hackers know that most businesses have a firewall on their network, so they try different techniques until they find one that works. They do this simply because they can.
How can hackers get into your system? Hackers can get into your system by guessing your password or by brute-force attacks. Hackers can also gain access via Trojan horses or backdoors. This allows them full access to your systems at any time.
So, an SWG protects against these methods of attack by requiring that users enter a valid username and password before accessing any part of your network. Thus, making their efforts fail.
The Importance of Secure Web Gateway
Why, then, is SWG important today? Firstly, SWG allows employees access to the Internet for business purposes. Secondly, it protects your company’s data from malicious attacks by hackers. What is more, an SWG provides a flexible means of controlling access to corporate resources. It also allows you to implement security policies that are appropriate for your organization.
Moreover, you should also know that an SWG helps you determine who has access to the network. This can be done using the built-in security features such as:
- Authentication
- Authorization
- Accounting or logging of users’ activities
By using these features, you can identify the user and their access level, the resource accessed, and when it was accessed. If you need an SWG for your company, you can set one up yourself or purchase a commercial product that already has all these features covered. But remember that this is just one aspect of your overall network security plan.
Final Words
For maximum security, you should use a layered approach where different products work together to protect your network. A layered approach is necessary because no single product can cover all aspects of security in-depth and completely enough to keep your company safe from today’s hackers and other malicious individuals.