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Guide to: Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

By November 25, 2021Cyber Security

Guide to: Secure Web Gateways (SWG)With businesses and organizations becoming increasingly dependent on digital systems in order to compete effectively, cyber-attacks and crime have increased at a commensurate rate. Threat actors have become increasingly sophisticated over time and now have an incredible amount of resources at their disposal, which has ultimately meant that it has become almost impossible for an organization to be completely breach-proof. Secure Web Gateways exist to protect users from web-based threats and are used by enterprises to protect their employees from accessing and being infected by web-based viruses and other malware. Additionally, they are also used to apply and enforce acceptable use policies and are an essential tool in an age where employees are accessing the network from all over the world. 

Check out below for a quick guide on Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

What is a Secure Web Gateway (SWG)?

Secure Web Gateways offer protection against online security threats by enforcing company security policies and filtering malicious internet traffic in real-time. A typical secure web gateway solution will typically include features like:

  1. Real-Time Traffic Inspection: Inspects web traffic in real-time, analyzing content against policy and ensuring anything that is inappropriate is blocked 
  2. Protection for Off-Grid Workers: Protection anywhere, anytime and any device – Authenticates seamlessly and have the same security policies on their devices as they would in office 
  3. Time- and Content-Based Access: Access to controls that will restrict access based on time or data confidentiality – Individual users can be allocated time quotas or schedules that ensure maximum productivity or only permitted access to websites that are relevant to their job roles 
  4. Data Leak Prevention: Stops corporate data from being leaked to or stolen by a third party

Why is a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) Important? 

We live in an age where employees no longer access data and applications solely from the office. Oftentimes people are working in branch offices, at home, or from any other location, they are not even always accessing corporate applications – We are now seeing a huge shift towards the cloud. With this in mind, traditional network security controls are no longer adequate as they are unable to adequately secure cloud and mobile applications. Secure Web Gateways are essential in monitoring network and data while also staying compliant with regulations that affect your business. 

SASE: A Comprehensive Cloud Security Solution

Traditionally, one of the challenges that come with deploying a SWG is that it is typically set up as a standalone tool without coordinating workflows or integration with other environments. This ultimately leads to increased complexity over time as an organization’s security stack becomes increasingly bloated. 

SASE is an architecture that combines networking and network security services into a single, cloud-delivered solution. This allows companies to integrate many existing cloud-security tools (SWG, CASB, FWaaS, DNS Security, DLP…etc) into a single, holistic solution that provides much greater visibility and efficiency than before. SASE offers comprehensive protection through a unified platform for complete visibility and precise control over web access while enforcing security policies across the network.

How can I Implement SASE?

As Canada’s premier next-gen MSSP, we have extensive experience guiding enterprises of all shapes and sizes as they start their journey towards Zero Trust. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help your organization in its cybersecurity journey.