Posting Point
A secure web gateway is a tool that protects users from cyberattacks and malware. It also reduces user exposure to zero-day vulnerabilities and provides granular control over which websites users can visit. Read on to learn more about the benefits of a secure web gateway. In addition, you’ll find out how to deploy one in your network and how to get the most out of it. But first, let’s get some background information.
Protects Users from Cyberattacks
A secure web gateway provides granular control over an organization’s data, applications, and network. For example, it categorizes web traffic based on various attributes, such as the application name, and allows administrators to enforce policies over data and comply with regulations. These features make secure web gateways vital to a comprehensive security strategy. In addition, for organizations that don’t have dedicated resources to protect their network, secure web gateways can be used to protect employees.
A secure web gateway can be a software component or a hardware appliance that filters all transmissions and determines whether they’re malicious. It monitors URLs and blocks URLs that don’t match an allowlist of known domains or IP addresses. Some of these devices also emulate network environments to identify sophisticated malware. This is an effective way to block malware. In addition, secure web gateways prevent malware from being downloaded from a network, allowing only authorized applications to access sensitive information.
Blocks Malware
A Secure web gateway is a security filter to prevent malicious web traffic from entering a company’s network. A web gateway protects users from harmful websites and helps enforce corporate policy compliance. It can also help protect sensitive and intellectual property information. With proper implementation, a web gateway can save an organization from various cyber threats and improve user productivity.
The technology behind a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) protects against phishing attacks and other threats by blocking malicious websites and files. This is accomplished by inspecting the data passing through it to check for known malware code. Some gateways also use sandboxes to test for malware and block access to these websites. Furthermore, an SWG can control and moderate app access based on the user’s location or identity.
Provides Granular Control
A secure web gateway allows an organization to have more granular control over which websites its employees can access. The gateway categorizes web traffic by various attributes, such as application name, and enforces granular policies. This enables the organization to protect data and meet regulatory requirements. The secure web gateway can be set up to operate anywhere and be a good fit for businesses with distributed employees.
A secure web gateway prevents data leaks and attacks on the enterprise network. It monitors employees’ websites and blocks any malicious content from entering the internal network. Many solutions also have URL filtering capabilities and malware detection. They can also block malicious software from calling home to your network, leading to data leakage. This can prevent malicious malware from compromising sensitive data or compromising systems.
Reduces Exposure to Zero-Day Vulnerabilities
Zero-day exploits are attacks that are undetected by the target. Unlike phishing, which targets a single valuable person, zero-day exploits are meant to affect as many people as possible. Zero-day vulnerabilities are dangerous because they compromise operating systems, web browsers, and applications. They can also infect hardware, IoT devices, and open-source components. As a result, these attacks can be dangerous even for harmless web browsing activities.
The first step in reducing your exposure to zero-day vulnerabilities is to ensure that your systems are updated regularly. Hackers typically exploit the vulnerabilities and can compromise your network and sensitive data. Because zero-day vulnerabilities are not widely known, hackers can use them to create a complex problem before a patch is released. Consequently, these attacks are often difficult to detect and mitigate. Patches are designed to fix known security gaps but take time to develop and remove. This gap can allow attackers to exploit a zero-day vulnerability and, in some cases, even create a ransomware infection.
