What is a Secure Web Gateway?

In terms of cybersecurity, the Internet remains a hazardous place. Today, more than ninety percent of successful malware events utilize the web and DNS to penetrate defenses and start cyber attacks. With one in every 13 web queries resulting in some type of virus, enterprises must implement a web security gateway.

It is necessary to have secure web gateways to combat cyber criminals who have become skilled at web impersonation, which refers to websites that look genuine but are, in reality, fake. The intention behind these bogus websites is to trick people who aren't paying attention into visiting harmful links and/or divulging their personal information. These fake websites seem to offer financial, business, and retail services. By preventing your staff from accessing hazardous websites, you eliminate a crucial flaw in the security of your network. As a consequence, the need for secure web gateways is on the rise: by 2025, the global market for SWGs is expected to surpass $12 billion.

A secure web gateway, also known as a web security gateway, is a software or hardware-based solution that resides at the network perimeter or on endpoint devices. It may also be a solution hosted on the cloud. All traffic must travel via the gateway, where it is monitored, regardless of the scenario. The gateway monitors traffic from the end-user to the web and from the web to the end-user. Thus, it defends against insider risks associated with the exfiltration of private information and web-based external threats. Enterprises use it to prevent employees from accessing harmful websites, internet-borne viruses, malware, and other cyber threats or from being infected by them. Additionally, it facilitates regulatory compliance. It enforces identical internet security and compliance regulations for all users, regardless of location or device type.

According to Gartner, at a minimum, secure web gateways must have URL filtering, malicious-code identification and filtering, and application controls for popular web-based services such as instant messaging (IM) and Skype. Native or built-in data leak protection is increasingly included in these devices. Secure web gateway solutions can also be integrated with other security technologies, including endpoint protection, network firewalls, and threat detection.

In this article, we will examine how a secure web gateway functions, the significance and benefits of secure web gateways, the essential characteristics of a secure web gateway, and the future of secure web gateways. Also covered will be the differences between secure web gateways and firewalls, as well as the differences between CASB and SWG.

How Does a Secure Web Gateway Work?

A secure web gateway does exactly what its name suggests: it requires all web traffic(HTTP(S)) coming into and going out of a network to first go through a gateway that performs scans for malicious code, dubious URLs, and other possible security risks. Both unauthorized data transfers to cloud services and restricted data transfers are prevented by secure web gateways.

A secure web gateway may also provide additional controls, such as the scanning of documents, the filtering of social media, and the integration of anti-malware for the identification of zero-day attacks. As a security gateway, it enforces granular usage regulations and prevents risks from accessing online applications by screening web and internet traffic at the application level.

A secure web gateway may be installed as an all-cloud, all-premises, or hybrid system. By deploying the gateway in-line, delivering web traffic to the secure web gateway using generic routing encapsulation (GRE) or policy-based routing, using proxy auto-configuration (PAC) files on the client, or by installing agents on the client, traffic may be transmitted to it.

Typically, gateway security solutions are delivered as software loaded onto existing physical, virtual, or containerized servers. Also accessible are appliances such as containers, virtual appliances, and hardware appliances. Cloud-based secure web gateways are becoming more available.

As a web proxy, a secure web gateway terminates and proxies web traffic, and inspects that traffic using a variety of security checks, such as URL filtering, advanced machine learning, sandboxing, anti-virus scanning, data loss prevention (DLP), cloud access security brokers (CASBs), and other integrated technologies. Web gateways implement policies and enforce threat prevention and information security regulations depending on the user, location, and content. This sort of gateway protection may thwart both known and unexpected attackers. It covers zero-day vulnerabilities and other sophisticated threats.

URL filtering is often the first stage. It prevents access to known dangerous URLs and serves as a barrier against zero-day attacks. It does this by identifying new URLs that resemble or are identical to those of known malicious web servers.

Additional layers, such as AML and AV, may eliminate attempted downloads of known and unknown dangers.

Some secure web gateways also include sandboxing. By simulating a company's environment, it performs real-time blocking and prevents specific attacks.

Web isolation is another feature adopted by certain providers. It executes malicious malware and web server code in a virtual instance that is segregated from the user. DLP may also be used to prevent illegal data leaks.

Why is a Secure Web Gateway Important?

As networks grow more decentralized and more people connect directly to the web from any place and device, it is crucial to secure your network, your users, and accessible data. A secure web gateway (SWG) stops users from gaining access to harmful website traffic on the internet and in the cloud, which might infect their devices and damage your organization's internal network. It also guarantees that users' Internet access complies with your organization's regulatory requirements.

The quantity and complexity of Internet-borne dangers are expanding. Organizations must take into account the very real threat to their data, reputation, and bottom line and implement the appropriate security measures. Protecting against increasingly complex cyber attacks is made easier by using a secure web gateway. As it prevents your network and data from being hacked and enables you to remain compliant with the standards governing your industry and the data you handle. A secure web gateway is a crucial barrier to warding off a potential cyber attack that keeps a business hostage. Given the rising threat posed by ransomware, this barrier is more important than ever before.

Moreover, it is essential to secure websites and online applications from being attacked to enable business continuity, as well as to shield a company from the risk of experiencing data theft and financial loss.

What are the Benefits of a Secure Web Gateway?

Secure web gateways are attractive because they enable the screening and filtering of web traffic before it enters business systems. The primary advantages of secure web gateways are summarized below:

• Enhanced Network Security: A secure web gateway connects with other security solutions within an organization's network security ecosystem. It extends the security layer across enterprise settings, including on-premises and the cloud. The gateway verifies and sends valid traffic that complies with the organization's regulations. When web traffic does not comply with policy requirements, the solution applies policies that meet the business and security goals of the organization. Thus, a secure web gateway enhances the organization's current security efforts by extending its security posture across many verticals.

• Detection and Avoidance of Emerging Risks: In general, web traffic circumvents firewalls and other security measures. Because a secure web gateway functions via a proxy, it readily recognizes possible risks, susceptible data, and dangerous code hidden inside the web content. In a typical case, the gateway proxy examines all session data before taking corrective action to resolve ambiguities. This strategy eliminates the chance of an attack causing network damage through policy violations that might endanger ongoing operations. SWGs undertake continuous monitoring (24/7) of web traffic and dynamically add new threat signatures into their detection capabilities pool. The gateway offers current web intelligence that associations and correlates files, emails, and endpoints to develop threat profiles. This information provides a comprehensive approach to deciphering threats against a particular company.

• Enhanced Visibility and Tracking: Every second, fresh online material and web connections are posted to the whole internet, making it impossible to keep up with the newest websites. These are novel attack vectors that pose a risk to a company. It is tough to tackle such emerging threat actors due to their anonymity. In addition, the majority of Internet traffic circumvents firewalls and security procedures. However, an SWG system monitors every network activity inside a company. It also tracks events occurring in private and public clouds, and on-premises. Such monitoring and logging capabilities provide enhanced visibility and command over all online traffic. It allows firms to appreciate how they are being targeted by attackers and assists them in developing more effective security strategies in accordance with their business requirements.

• Inspection of Encrypted Communications: SSL traffic decryption needs a large amount of memory and computing power. It may hinder the functioning of the majority of security systems. According to a study by NSS Labs, Inc., the overall performance of next-generation firewalls with SSL decryption has declined significantly (81 percent performance loss). As a result, these firewalls and other security solutions may let SSL traffic flow through uninspected. With the increase in SSL online traffic, about fifty percent of web material is now encrypted. Overall, a substantial percentage of online traffic is not evaluated for cyber attacks, threats, compliance, or policy breaches. According to research, in around half of the cyber attacks, fraudsters have routinely used encryption to conceal malware. For more control over encrypted online traffic, sophisticated gateways provide an SSL inspection function.

• Compliance with Regulatory Mandates: A secure web gateway gives granular control over the network, applications, and data of a business. This enables you to implement data-specific regulations in accordance with regulatory standards. Thus, the gateway classifies online traffic based on fields and properties such as HTTP(S), application name, etc. This category enables the implementation of data policies in accordance with rules such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union, among others. The granularity given by the gateway improves the organization's risk management and compliance operations.

• It provides a multi-layered security architecture that prevents malware attacks and identifies affected devices.

• Protect against data leaks

• Control access to websites that are not authorized by the organization and block access to such websites.

• Blocks access to harmful and high-risk websites and apps.

• Protects remote employees by enforcing business security regulations and allowing them to remain connected wherever they may be.

Figure 1. Benefits of a Secure Web Gateway

The Difference Between A Secure Web Gateway and Firewall

Firewalls and secure web gateways (SWGs) have overlapping and complementary roles in network security. Both analyze incoming data and attempt to detect potential dangers before they reach the system. Despite having a similar purpose, there are significant variances between them.

Secure web gateways are cloud-based web and application security services or appliances. They function at the application level to monitor, inspect, and stop suspicious traffic from entering or exiting a network; this includes data leakage prevention, URL filtering, and malware code protection and control. They may ban or allow connections or keywords based on the web usage policy of an organization. Due to their expertise, they can identify and defend against far more complex and targeted web-based threats.

Firewalls provide a distinct purpose. Firewalls are excellent at packet-level security but are not as smart at the application layer. In order to limit or prevent unwanted access, a firewall governs the data that enters or exits a network by establishing rules. In general, it is a rudimentary kind of security that, although having established a more broad feature set, does not give the same degree of threat protection as a secure web gateway nor the same variety of reporting options.

Most firewalls do not terminate or analyze complete objects, and many rely on stream-based antivirus scanning to protect against malware. Therefore, application-level evasive attacks may readily circumvent certain firewall safeguards.

The Difference Between Secure Web Gateways and CASBs

Cloud access security brokers, often known as CASBs, may be installed as a local device or as a cloud service. It acts as an intermediary between a cloud service provider and its consumers. It enforces corporate security standards and strives to reduce risk and maintain regulatory compliance for cloud-based data access requests.

Cloud access security brokers might be mistaken for secure web gateways. When deciding between CASB and SWG, security professionals must consider the safeguards provided by each solution as well as their degree of risk in order to choose the best option for them. A CASB solution that integrates with a native API may offer more granular security than a basic in-line SWG solution. SWG solutions, on the other hand, provide wider protection, giving a safe Internet usage solution without some of the specific SaaS safeguards that CASB provides.

In general, CASBs are capable of recognizing a wider variety of applications than secure web gateways. They may also give greater information and control over program use.

CASB provides numerous distinct functionalities. Authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and credential mapping are some of the fundamental functionalities of a CASB system, which allows an organization to identify permitted and illegal use of cloud services. CASB systems may also integrate standard SWG features like virus detection and data loss prevention (DLP).

CASB solutions are often built to communicate with cloud service providers' application programming interfaces (APIs). When provided, these APIs may make CASB systems exceedingly effective. Not all cloud providers, however, provide API support.

To build a full security architecture, CASB must be coupled with other independent security solutions, which is a significant restriction. Reliance on an assortment of stand-alone solutions makes security management more difficult, expensive, and inefficient.

In fact, both CASBs and web gateways are necessary. A secure web gateway requires a CASB for full visibility and management, and a CASB requires a secure web gateway for complete web and application traffic and log information. By collaborating, they provide full gateway and application security for the Internet.

Convergence is seen in several facets of security technology. Some companies have combined CASBs with secure web gateways. This tendency is gaining momentum. By combining CASB with secure web gateway features, it is considerably simpler to deliver SaaS applications with access security capabilities.

What are the Key Secure Web Gateway Features?

A secure web gateway often uses a number of security technologies, including detection and filtering tools, to give the highest level of protection against all Internet-based risks. According to Gartner, secure web gateways must, at a minimum, include URL filtering, malicious-code detection and filtering, and application controls for popular Web-based applications, such as instant messaging (IM) and Skype. Increasingly, native or integrated data leak protection is now offered.

A web security gateway may consist of the following features:

• URL Filtering: URL Filtering is a web security solution that restricts access to websites based on their URL, preventing workers from viewing harmful or unsuitable information and enforcing bandwidth constraints on streaming services. Based on URL categorization, users, user groups, or computers, Internet traffic is either denied or permitted. Administrators can determine which employees are viewing which websites and when using URL filtering.

• Application Control: Application control enables managers to define detailed web security rules based on users in order to detect, prohibit, or limit web application use. This guarantees that the data utilized by and transferred across apps inside an enterprise is private and safe.

• Data Loss Prevention: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) guarantees that sensitive and vital data is not transmitted outside of an organization's network. Data loss prevention safeguards your organization against the unintended loss of important and sensitive information by monitoring data transfer and complying with industry compliance requirements and standards.

• Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is meant to prevent, detect, and eliminate software flaws including viruses, adware, and Trojans.Real-time virus signatures to prevent attacks and manage online security services to monitor your network for effective incident response and attack resolution.

• HTTPS Inspection: On secure web gateways, HTTPS inspection checks and secures SSL-encrypted traffic passing through the gateway. Gateways using HTTPS inspection decrypt the traffic using the sender's public key, examine and protect the content, and then re-encrypt it before sending it back to the sender. With a simple administrator policy definition, encrypted material traveling through a gateway that does not need an inspection, such as access to banking or healthcare websites, may be avoided.

• Web Browser Isolation: A advanced secure web gateway will provide a remote browser isolation (RBI) solution that stops harmful code or data from entering the enterprise network. RBI does this by executing all web-based active code in a virtual, disposable container outside of the network. The user is presented with a clean, fully interactive stream of rendering data through their standard endpoint browser, giving them complete Internet access and enabling high productivity. Remote browser isolation is so good at safeguarding networks from web-based threats and exploits that some industry experts, such as Gartner, have proposed that RBI may independently fulfill SWG capabilities.

• Prevention of Phishing: To avoid credential theft and malware insertion, websites started from emails that may be suspicious should be sent to remote browser isolation and accessed in "read-only" mode.

• Content Disarmament and Reconstruction: To avoid attacks using files containing malicious links or scripts, email attachments, and online downloads must be analyzed in isolation and any dangerous components must be eliminated before being downloaded to the user's device.

Best practices for Web security gateways include the capacity to:

• Provide an integrated cloud-based solution that defends email and the web, the main two threat vectors.

• Quickly deploy.

• Protect anytime and everywhere, regardless of where clients are.

• Protect a reasonable price.

• To enable IT administrators to consistently apply security policies across the enterprise, and to simplify administration by automatically applying policy configurations, directory synchronization, user accounts, roles and permissions, branding, and audit reporting to email and web security, they administer from a single cloud-based console.

What are the Secure Web Gateway Products?

The market is seeing expansion on account of the rising use of the internet and the increasing need for preserving and securing end-user data from malware attacks and data breaches in companies. Apart from this, the increasing number of cyber attacks and the rising need for end-to-end high-security technologies are positively affecting the demand for SWG solutions around the world. Furthermore, the major industry players are significantly spending on research and development efforts to create novel SWG solutions, which is predicted to drive market expansion in the future.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the worldwide market for Secure Web Gateways is projected to reach a size of USD 15170 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 18.4 percent. It is predicted to have a size of USD 5511.8 million in 2022.

Key products available in the secure web gateway market are as follows:

1. Zenarmor

2. Netskope Next-Gen Secure Web Gateway

3. McAfee Web Gateway

4. Zscaler Secure Web Gateway

5. Cisco Umbrella

6. Palo Alto Networks Cloud SWG

7. iboss

8. Forcepoint Web Security

9. Symantec Secure Gateway

10. Fortinet Secure Web Gateway

11. Barracuda Web Security Gateway

Secure Web Gateways in the Future

There is a high level of trust among network security teams in web gateways, making them a high priority for IT security budgets. The popularity and need for high security when using the Internet and web applications from remote locations is not projected to lessen very soon, despite the existence of these gateways. The web gateway industry is expected to expand by 20% by 2025, with revenues expected to more than double to $12 billion.

In addition, increasing numbers of businesses are moving to the cloud, which has led to an increase in the need for cloud-hosted secure web gateway services. In recent years, businesses have mostly overcome their concerns over cloud security. In addition to on-premises solutions, many also see the value of cloud-delivered security. Some use both. Others have chosen to completely migrate to the cloud. In reality, some cloud-based web security gateways are functionally equivalent to on-premises systems.

Cloud-based services may provide important benefits. In some instances, they provide decreased latency and improved performance. This is especially true if they are positioned near end-user locations, such as remote offices, and in a manner that promotes application mobility. Consequently, it is probable that new gateway security rollouts will occur in the cloud. Existing on-premise secure web gateways will be maintained by businesses until their end of life, but this segment of the industry will not see growth.

Secure web gateways include the capacity to decode SSL communication since almost 50% of all attacks and malicious traffic are encrypted. To make this technology work successfully in multi-tenant setups while staying scalable and providing acceptable performance, various technological obstacles must be overcome.

Another trend is web isolation, which protects the user from dangerous and unfamiliar websites by operating the web browser in an isolated environment. For high-profile users, such as the CEO, who are often the focus of targeted attacks, web isolation may be extended to all sites. For example, potential phishing emails are viewed in a read-only environment to prevent users from inadvertently disclosing personally-identifying information.

The complexity of contemporary companies is a major obstacle to secure web gateway implementations. Common themes include cloud, containerization, and convergence, as well as hybrid deployments that span traditional, software-defined on-premises, and single-or multiple cloud environments.

With the advent of social networks, there is an increasing interest in providing secure web gateways to handle attack vectors from social media platforms like Facebook. Several suppliers are introducing support for filtering file uploads, and instant messaging, and the majority of the remaining vendors are working on it. Those in the financial services, government, education, and retail industries are particularly interested in this skill.