A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is a security solution in front of your internet-facing applications and servers, protecting against malicious traffic and attacks. It can also help to enforce web security policies and protect your company’s data.
Statistics reveal that most breaches originate from the web, so your organization must choose an SWG to protect you against external threats.
Another study showed that organizations with an advanced web gateway experienced fewer security incidents – including phishing attacks and malware infections – than those without. Therefore, a properly configured secure web gateway is integral to any business’s defense strategy.
How to choose the right SWG for your business
When choosing a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) for your business, there are a few things you need to consider:
1. What are your business’s needs?
Each business is different and will have different security requirements. Make sure you choose an SWG with the features and functionality you need.
2. How many users will be using the SWG?
The number of users using the SWG will affect the type of SWG you need. You’ll need a scalable SWG that can handle a high traffic volume if you have many users.
3. How much are you willing to spend?
Secure web gateways aren’t cheap, and they don’t have all the features you’re looking for. Make sure you set a budget before you start shopping around.
4. What are your security policies?
Do you want to block certain websites or restrict access to social media sites during work hours? Be sure to choose an SWG to give you the necessary visibility and control.
5. What type of internet traffic do you want to block?
Some secure web gateways offer advanced threat protection, such as blocking encrypted web traffic (SSL/TLS). Others go for a lighter touch and only block unencrypted web traffic. The right approach for your organization will depend on your requirements, budget, and user base.
6. What is your geographic location?
Some secure web gateways are geo-aware, restricting site access based on the user’s location. This will undoubtedly be useful for businesses operating in regions where it may not be safe to navigate certain websites or access certain types of content.
The importance of choosing an enterprise-grade solution
An enterprise-grade SWG is designed for businesses with high-security requirements. It offers features and functionality not available in consumer-grade solutions, such as scalability, advanced threat protection, and geo-awareness. It’s also built to handle a high traffic volume, making it ideal for businesses with large user bases.
So why should you choose an enterprise-grade SWG? Here are just a few reasons:
1. More visibility over user activity
An enterprise-grade SWG can help you manage resource access by giving you visibility over what your employees do online. You can see which websites they visit, for how long, and when, allowing you to see if they are spending too much time on social media or other non-work-related websites. You can even block access to specific sites so your employees will be less distracted when working.
2. Better security policies
An SWG allows you to set granular content filtering policies for each user group to create a safer working environment. For example, you can block access to high-risk websites, set up web usage policies that apply only during work hours, and more.
3. Control app access
An enterprise-grade SWG gives you greater visibility over apps users access through their web browsers, allowing you to track which ones they use most often and significantly impact bandwidth consumption. You can then choose to block certain apps that are not related to work or hurt performance.
4. Malicious content protection
An enterprise-grade secure web gateway provides advanced threat protection, including support for HTTPS inspection, SSL decryption, and DLP policies. This means you’ll get the most complete security on your web traffic.
5. Geo-aware security
A geo-aware secure web gateway can restrict website access based on the user’s geographical location. This helps in protecting your business from sensitive data leaks and other malicious activity that you do not want occurring outside of work hours or in specific countries. This means visiting certain websites will be blocked, even if the user has a valid business need to access them.
6. A single platform for protecting your entire network
The gateways are built to provide security across all network layers, making it easier to protect your business against various attacks. Your network is kept safe from the core outwards, starting in the data center and working to the endpoint.
7. Threat analysis and reporting
Using an enterprise-grade secure web gateway means you’ll have the chance to analyze threats in real-time, allowing you to block them and take immediate action. You’ll also be able to create reports that keep you up-to-date on everything happening across your network, allowing you to see possible threats before they even become an issue.
This means the SWG can block threats before they reach the internal network.
8. A more comprehensive web security solution
Enterprise-grade SWGs are built to offer a more comprehensive web security solution, protecting against all types of malicious activity. This includes advanced malware and exploits protection, DLP policies, application control, geo-awareness, HTTPS inspection, SSL decryption, and more.
9. Ease of use
These gateways are built to be easy to use. They allow endpoint security managers and other interested parties to configure policies without the help of qualified security staff. This will make it easier to ensure your network and users are always protected against the latest threats while saving time and money.
Enterprise-grade SWGs will help protect your business against the latest threats and keep your entire network safe from start to finish.
Why do you need a partner to help set up and manage your SWG?
When it comes to installing and managing a Secure Web Gateway (SWG), many businesses need a partner’s help. This is because an SWG is a complex security solution that requires expert knowledge and experience to set up and manage correctly. By working with a partner, you can benefit from:
1. Expert advice and guidance
When it comes to choosing the right SWG for your business, setting it up correctly, and managing it on an ongoing basis, you need the help of an expert. A partner can provide you with advice and guidance on these matters, ensuring you make the best decision for your company’s security.
2. The latest technology
A partner can help you access the latest technology from leading vendors, including malware protection and threat intelligence. You can benefit from a fully up-to-date SWG with the latest security developments.
3. The proper training
Working with a partner also provides SWG training sessions, helping your staff learn how to configure the solution effectively and understand how it works. If you purchase an SWG without professional help, you might find that your staff cannot set it up correctly, leaving the network vulnerable.
4. Reduction in security threats
This means that by working with a partner, you can protect your business against the latest types of attacks. It also allows you to have the security features in your SWG adjusted or fine-tuned in line with emerging threats, ensuring that it always offers the best possible protection for your network.
6. Why managing an enterprise-grade SWG is different
Enterprise-grade Secure Web Gateways (SWGs) are more complex than standard web gateways, and in most cases, they will need to be managed by a qualified security professional. This is because:
7. An SWG is highly configurable
An enterprise-grade SWG is built to offer extensive protection for your network and applications, allowing you to configure your security policies to meet the specific requirements of your business. This means you need someone with expert knowledge and experience to manage it so that they can take advantage of all these configuration options.
8. Increased uptime is expected
SWGs are built for businesses that require an extremely high level of availability. They’re designed to be easy to use and configure but require expert support whenever configuration changes or updates occur.
9. A highly secure web gateway demands a high-quality service
If you decide to purchase an enterprise-grade SWG, you choose security that is available 24/7/365 and offers around-the-clock care and support. This is because only the highest-quality services provide enterprise-level security, which will remain available when needed.
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About the Author
Waqas is a cybersecurity journalist and writer who has a knack for writing technology and online privacy-focused articles. He strives to help achieve a secure online environment and is skilled in writing topics related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, Cloud security, and a lot more. As seen in: Computer.org, Nordic APIs, Infosecinstitute.com, Tripwire.com, and VentureBeat.
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