What is an SWG (Secure Web Gateway)?

Remove data breaches from the equation by filtering the content your employees are able to access while connected to the company network!

SWG (Secure Web Gateway) is a product used for cyber security that implements security measures and secures sensitive data. This product works between the Internet and the employees of the company. To learn more about the SWG, we can compare it to a water filter which gets rid of all the nasty particles from the water and makes it safe for drinking. SWG goes through the content on the Internet and filters everything that is considered unsafe in order to stop data breaches and cyber threats. Also, this product blocks any unauthorized or risky user behavior.

Every SWG product has these technologies:

  • Anti-Malware detection and blocking
  • URL filtering
  • Application control

SWGs may also have content filtering, DLP (data loss prevention), and other similar Internet traffic filters.

 

 

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Why are SWGs important?

Until 2020, most business processes took place within the company’s internal network. However, with the increase of remote workers and cloud computing, many organizations have decided to use the Internet on top of their secure private networks or entirely instead of internal networks. The Internet is filled with numerous cyber threats, including phishing attacks and malware, and with the use of SWGs, many organizations can protect themselves.

How does it work?

There are some SWGs that actually run on proxy servers. Proxy servers represent devices on the Internet that make requests on behalf of the client and receive responses. A proxy server can either be a virtual machine in the cloud or a physical server for an SWG.

There are also SWGs that are software-only. They can either run in the cloud or on the company’s grounds. The last type of SWGs can be deployed as on-site appliances. Those are physical hardware devices that need to be plugged directly into the IT infrastructure.

It doesn’t matter where or how SWGs are deployed; they all work pretty much the same. The client sends a request to a certain website or application, and the request needs to go through the SWG. The SWG will inspect the request before passing it along, but only if it complies with the security policies, just like a security guard wouldn’t let some suspicious person inside a building. This process looks the same in reverse. All incoming data needs to be inspected by the SWG, and only then can it be forwarded to the user.

SWGs have become very helpful for managing remote workers because they can run anywhere. Workers are required to access the Internet through an SWG, meaning companies will be able to prevent data breaches much easier, even if they don’t have control over the devices or networks of workers.

How does an SWG enforce a security policy?

First of all, a security policy is a rule made to prevent data breaches or other cyber attacks. All network traffic and data within a company must follow every security policy in order to keep everything secure. For example, companies can set up a rule that requires all network traffic to be encrypted. By enforcing this policy, every website that doesn’t start with HTTPS will be blocked. SWG is just one of the ways to implement a security policy because it can filter out all network traffic that doesn’t start with HTTPS.

SWGs have several purposes and can perform several actions on the web traffic that needs to be inspected and forwarded in order to enforce security policies:

Anti-Malware scanning

SWGs scan network traffic for malware. In other words, they examine the data passing through and compare it to the already-known malware. The data will be blocked if the code matches, preventing data breaches. Some SWGs can use sandboxing to test for malware. This means that they execute potentially hazardous code in a controlled environment to see what it would do if it got into the company’s network.

Keep in mind that much network traffic on the Internet is encrypted with HTTPS. In order to scan the traffic for malware, multiple SWGs can decrypt HTTPS traffic. After the inspection is done, the gateway will encrypt all the traffic once again and will forward it to the person or device who made the request. Also, a web server can make this request on behalf of the user. The name of this process is HTTPS inspection, and it is used by many companies in order to keep all their data secure.

Encryption is the process of changing data so that it becomes random to anyone who is looking at it. You won’t be able to get anything useful out of this encrypted data until it is decrypted by using the proper software. Decryption could be considered like the reverse process of encryption.

URL filtering

URL can be found at the top of the browser when a page loads. That is a long line of text that will lead you to the place you are looking for. URL filtering is used as a way of controlling which sites a user can open up.

URL filtering usually has a blocklist. A blocklist is a list that has all the known bad sites or sites that aren’t allowed by the admin. If a user tries to load one of the sites from the blocklist, the SWG will block the request, and the site won’t load on the device.

Application control

SWGs are also used to monitor which applications employees are using. Thanks to that information, they can control what users can access and what should be blocked. Some SWGs are a little more advanced, and they can have more control over the users. For example, administrators can control which applications a user can use based on their identity or location.

SWG has other capabilities like:

  • Content filtering: This feature is used to detect specific kinds of content in order to block that content if necessary. For example, content filtering can block all explicit photos or videos from getting inside the corporate network. IT administrators can customize the content filtering policy as they wish in order to keep the entire organization as secure as possible.
  • DLP (Data Loss Prevention): For starters, this feature is only offered by some SWGs, but it is, in fact, highly effective in preventing security breaches. This feature could be considered content filtering, but only in reverse. Instead of preventing any malicious data from coming into the company’s network, it prevents content from leaving the secure private network. DLP will detect when the sensitive date is going out from a secure environment and will block the date from leaking or just redact it. For example, if a 16-digit number appears in an email, DLP will stop it because that is the same amount of numbers a credit card has. The company will do its best to protect its employees’ credit card information, but above all, prevent the leak of a company account.

How will SWG fit into a SASE model?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines various security functions, including SWGs, with networking functions and delivers them from one global network.

SWG is a single-solution product, like many other security products, that can be managed separately from other network security functions and networking. If a SASE framework is put in place, companies will be able to maintain and implement their network security and networks from one cloud-based provider.

How can SWG keep your web traffic secure?

Regardless of the security provider you choose, your SWG will offer advanced security in order to protect both sensitive corporate data and employees. The SWG will use the best type of filtering to block all malicious content and will give administrators a complete report of web traffic. By implementing this security, users will be protected from hazardous code by not being able to access already-known bad websites.

Employers shouldn’t risk getting their data leaked and should do everything possible to prevent that from happening. Of course, administrators can only control some of what the employees will do during their working hours. Still, specific security measures can prevent them from accessing harmful sites that could harm the company and other employees. By simply putting SWG in place, the security team will be able to create a blocklist with all the sites already known as harmful, meaning users won’t be able to load sites that aren’t required to do all the work for the company.

How can TechProComp help you?

Protecting your company and all sensitive data should be your top priority. You wouldn’t want to get infected by malware or other viruses that can be found on harmful websites. By choosing TechProComp, you will be getting an SWG that will help you control your web traffic and restrict employees from accessing known bad sites while connected to the company network.

SWG is just one of the tools that will help you protect your company and all your employees. If the company data is leaked, it can harm your business more than you can imagine. It’s better to be safe and put all the security measures in place before it’s too late. If you have any additional questions about SWGs or how they work, feel free to contact our support team, which will give you all the answers you are looking for.

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Cyber Security Services

Cloud Firewall

Cloud firewalls are designed for modern needs and can be found in an online environment. Unlike the regular firewall that’s installed on your computer or server, these firewalls are hosted in the cloud.

Cloud Firewall

Cloud firewalls are designed for modern needs and can be found in an online environment. Unlike the regular firewall that’s installed on your computer or server, these firewalls are hosted in the cloud.

Endpoints Detection and Response

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), also known as endpoint detection and threat response (EDTR), is a security solution that constantly monitors devices to detect and respond to cyber threats like malware and ransomware.

Endpoints Detection and Response

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), also known as endpoint detection and threat response (EDTR), is a security solution that constantly monitors devices to detect and respond to cyber threats like malware and ransomware.

LAN Zero Trust

Zero Trust is a type of security model which requires mandatory verification for everyone who wants access to data on a secure network. The same rules apply in both cases, whether they are outside or inside of the network.

LAN Zero Trust

Zero Trust is a type of security model which requires mandatory verification for everyone who wants access to data on a secure network. The same rules apply in both cases, whether they are outside or inside of the network.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

MDR (Managed detection and response) is a type of cybersecurity service that uses the most advanced technology with human expertise to successfully hunt, monitor, and respond to possible threats.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

MDR (Managed detection and response) is a type of cybersecurity service that uses the most advanced technology with human expertise to successfully hunt, monitor, and respond to possible threats.

Next-generation Firewall

We’ve all heard about firewalls. They’ve been around for quite some time, but the threats become more advanced every day, and security needs to become much more advanced to stop the most sophisticated threats.

Next-generation Firewall

We’ve all heard about firewalls. They’ve been around for quite some time, but the threats become more advanced every day, and security needs to become much more advanced to stop the most sophisticated threats.

Ransomware Protection

Ransomware attacks have become more sophisticated in the previous two years, and organizations cannot completely prevent these hackers from harming their systems. One of the examples is getting infected by malware that is looking for weak system backups and encrypts your data once it gets to it.

Ransomware Protection

Ransomware attacks have become more sophisticated in the previous two years, and organizations cannot completely prevent these hackers from harming their systems. One of the examples is getting infected by malware that is looking for weak system backups and encrypts your data once it gets to it.

Secure DNS

The job of DNS security is to protect the DNS infrastructure from any cyber-attack so it can keep working fast and reliably. A DNS security strategy that is effective uses multiple overlapping defenses, applies security protocols like DNSSEC, and requires strict DNS logging.

Secure DNS

The job of DNS security is to protect the DNS infrastructure from any cyber-attack so it can keep working fast and reliably. A DNS security strategy that is effective uses multiple overlapping defenses, applies security protocols like DNSSEC, and requires strict DNS logging.

Secure Remote Access

More people have started working from home lately, so secure remote access has become a must for a lot of organizations. Accessing a desktop from a remote location allows authorized users to take complete control of a computer to fix issues, see or change files, or even change some settings.

Secure Remote Access

More people have started working from home lately, so secure remote access has become a must for a lot of organizations. Accessing a desktop from a remote location allows authorized users to take complete control of a computer to fix issues, see or change files, or even change some settings.

Secure Web Gateway

SWG (Secure Web Gateway) is a product used for cyber security that implements security measures and secures sensitive data. Also, this product blocks any unauthorized or risky user behavior.

Secure Web Gateway

SWG (Secure Web Gateway) is a product used for cyber security that implements security measures and secures sensitive data. Also, this product blocks any unauthorized or risky user behavior.

Content Filtering

Content filtering is a process of exclusion of access and screening web pages or emails that are unwanted. These solutions look for specific content patterns, and if those requirements are met, the software will block the content or flag it.

Content Filtering

Content filtering is a process of exclusion of access and screening web pages or emails that are unwanted. These solutions look for specific content patterns, and if those requirements are met, the software will block the content or flag it.

Wifi Security

A secure WiFi connection can only be established once a wireless client and the wireless network they are connecting verify each other’s identities. Those wireless clients can be smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.

Wifi Security

A secure WiFi connection can only be established once a wireless client and the wireless network they are connecting verify each other’s identities. Those wireless clients can be smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.

TESTIMONIAL

Our Happy Customers

TechProComp is a solid managed service provider. They have delivered unparalleled service in every regard. Their team have a great grasp of technical knowledge, and have consistently demonstrated reliability, tackling both minor and critical issues with effective resolutions. Beyond their technical prowess, they truly shine in customer service, offering quick and thought out responses. Their commitment to their clients is apparent in their proactive IT management approach, ensuring smooth business operations, and helping reduce costs. I recommend TechProComp to anyone seeking dependable and personable IT support.

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TechProComp has been instrumental in filling in as an outsourced network administrator, helping the client make their network more secure by finding and fixing important vulnerabilities. The team is responsive, communicative, and willing to work after hours to fix issues.

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TechProComp IT Solutions’ efficiency and speed have been instrumental in helping the client grow their team and keep their systems operating. The team is flexible, communicative, and thorough. Additionally, they’re knowledgeable about current technologies, and their customer service is impressive.

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The company systems are operating smoothly and efficiently, thanks to TechProComp’s work. They manage the engagement well and coordinate with the firm’s employees effectively. They communicate on time with the client to avoid disruptions in their work, and they’re responsive when problems occur.

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TechProComp IT Solutions resolves issues quickly and does not hesitate to reach out whenever problems occur. Regular meetings and discussions ensure a seamless workflow. Customers can expect a friendly and prompt team.

Retina Care Company

The quality of the work was outstanding, especially compared to the pricing and service we received from other firms.

Thomson Patent Law

Slobo and his team have been wonderful to work with. When the ice storm hit this February him and his team kept us up to date and kept the project rolling even through the power outages. When working with TechProComp I felt valued and taken care of the entire time. Having a running tracker of the project was really nice to have. Anytime a decision needed to be made, Slobo would present recommendations and give me a pressure free experience while also providing great advice. It is very obvious when working with them that they know what they are doing. They supported our move to a cloud based infrastructure, helping us use more modern technology that saves us money. On top of being a pleasure to work with, their prices were very fair and their estimate gave us an accurate price to keep in mind. We look forward to working with them more in the future!

ProTex Plumbing and Mechanical

TechProComp is very professional. Slobo, and his team are really knowledgeable about a wide range of issues. Slobo has really helped us out when other services have become overwhelmed due to the pandemic. Thanks so much!

Thompson Patent Law

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