A secure web gateway (SWG) is a security solution that inspects internet traffic and enforces acceptable use policies. It combines multiple advanced detection engines and technologies to protect users from threats and meet compliance requirements. An SWG’s data loss prevention functionality identifies patterns in outbound traffic. It blocks sensitive information, such as social security numbers, credit card data, medical information, intellectual property, etc., from leaving the organization.

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Data loss prevention

Often included as part of a gateway security platform, data loss prevention (DLP) software monitors outgoing data to ensure no confidential information is leaving the company network. Using preemptive techniques, DLP prevents malicious attacks that could leak sensitive data by stopping them before they happen. Most secure web gateways include DLP to ensure that only the necessary data is sent outside the organization and to prevent unauthorized data exfiltration. As cyberattacks continue escalating and employees work from more places than ever before – including on unsecured public Wi-Fi – it’s crucial to deploy a layered security approach. With over 90% of successful malware incidents relying on the web to breach defenses and execute attacks, SWGs are an essential element in the security stack. Secure web gateways, or SWGs, work by safeguarding internet access for users and enforcing acceptable use policies. Every outgoing connection to the Internet from a user’s endpoint device must pass through an SWG, which inspects each request and authenticates the user. Once the SWG deems a request legitimate, it will protect the organization from malware and prevent data breaches. SWGs typically offer multiple layers of protection, ranging from URL filtering to sandboxing, to protect against the latest malware threats. By examining requests in a virtual environment, SWGs can prevent zero-day threats by recognizing patterns that can indicate malicious code and blocking access to them.

Access control

With the world relying on the Internet more than ever, businesses need to protect their data and the data of their staff and customers. A secure gateway (SWG) is an essential tool for doing this. SWGs allow companies to scan network traffic for malicious content and code. They also block websites that have been flagged as containing malware. Gateway capabilities can also monitor the integrity of file systems and configurations by monitoring changes in hashes or text-based configuration files. This is an essential aspect of gateway security that should be included in continuous assurance processes. In addition, organizations should consider including a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) in procurement requirements for SWGs and associated services. SBOMs can support the rapid identification of a service’s vulnerabilities and provide transparency to the supply chain. Organizations must have a trusted confidence level in the products that perform security functions in their gateways. To achieve this, they should deploy independently tested gateways, such as through a Common Criteria Protection Profile (PP). This package outlines requirements for assessing the security effectiveness of hardware and software. In addition, it includes guidance on testing and benchmarking SWGs and identifies best practices in the design, build, and operation of a gateway.

Malware detection

A gateway solution functions differently than a firewall. Firewalls use rules to allow or deny each packet that enters or leaves the network. At the same time, secure web gateways inspect each application at the protocol level and look for malicious intent. Using advanced technologies like sandboxing and behavioral analysis, a gateway solution can detect malware that may bypass conventional antivirus engines or pass through existing security measures. For example, a gateway solution can scan encrypted traffic to identify patterns that may indicate malware, such as phishing attacks or ransomware. The gateway can then automatically send the data to an SIEM for further analysis and help prevent unauthorized usage of data or resources. In addition, granular policy controls can be implemented in a gateway to ensure that the right content is being displayed to users. A gateway solution can also help secure applications by implementing SASE and zero-trust networking. SASE allows users to authenticate with their corporate credentials in any location while enabling them to connect to applications and services securely. Zero trust enables organizations to apply the principle of “never trust, always verify” to any device or connection, regardless of which network it is on. This approach combines with access control to secure remote working while protecting the organization from external threats.

URL filtering

URL filtering helps organizations prevent employees from using company devices and network bandwidth for personal online activities that waste time, decrease productivity, and present a security threat. URL filtering also aids in the prevention of malware, spyware, and phishing by blocking malicious websites. Effective URL filtering offers granular, modular policies that allow administrators to define what web access should be permitted or denied by user groups. This allows for more flexibility, preventing the “overblocking” of sites employees need to perform their jobs effectively. The filtering process compares on-device web content with entries in a database or list. Various criteria are used to categorize a website, including its reputation score, the types of threats it can be used for, and other types of content on the page. A “caution” action is then applied if the device can’t decide whether the web object is dangerous, with duration and bandwidth quotas determining when this becomes a “block” action. A gateway security platform with a scalable URL filtering solution has imperceptible latency. It uses a cloud-native secure web gateway to inspect device traffic without straining the Internet speed or network performance. The solution should also offer an allowlisting function to eliminate CPU strain and a web-based management portal to manage configuration parameters, observe real-time web activity, and order historic web activity reports.