A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is essential to any modern network infrastructure to protect users from online threats and enforce network-wide security regulations.
By filtering and monitoring online traffic, it is possible to restrict access to dangerous or inappropriate websites, detect and eradicate malware, and protect sensitive data from exposure.
SWG provides application control to regulate web app use, SSL inspection to detect encrypted hazards, and bandwidth management to maximize network efficiency.
Website traffic and security breach data can be analyzed and reported in great detail. SWGs are essential to network security, making the internet a safer and more productive for everyone.
A Secure Web Gateway protects employees against malicious sites and other web dangers.
Defend employees and the company network from the dangers of the web with a hybrid Secure Web Gateway (SWG) – Try the Free Demo.
Table of Contents
How Secure Web Gateways Work?
Key Features of Secure Web Gateways
Best Secure Web Gateway Vendors and Their Features 2024
Best Secure Web Gateway Vendors 2024
1.Perimeter 81
2.Zscaler
3.Cisco
4.SonicWall
5.Fortinet
6.Barracuda Networks
7.McAfee
8.Check Point
9.OpenDNS
10.Cloudflare
Conclusion
FAQ
Also Read
How Secure Web Gateways Work?
Secure Web Gateways (SWGs) intercept and examine internet traffic before encrypting it to pass the data through additional layers of security.
The SWG compares the requested URL to a list of harmful websites and blocks access to those that fulfill the criteria. Malware is recognized and blocked in several ways, including signature-based detection and behavioral analysis.
To reveal risks hiding in encrypted traffic, SSL inspection decrypts the traffic. SWGs regulate web applications using application control policies, ensuring that only business-related apps are used.
They also keep watch on information leaving the company to ensure it is not stolen.
Insights into user behavior and security incidents acquired through comprehensive reporting and analytics strengthen the safety of the network as a whole.
Key Features of Secure Web Gateways
Web filtering: Protects users against harmful and offensive content online.
Malware protection: Identifies malicious software and blocks its entry into the system.
SSL/TLS inspection: Using decryption to uncover threats in encrypted traffic.
Application control: Controls and regulates how people can use websites.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive data from leaving the organization.
Bandwidth management: Facilitates more efficient use of online traffic.
Reporting and analytics: Assist with monitoring and decision-making based on insights regarding web usage and security events.
Best Secure Web Gateway Vendors and Their Features 2024
| Best Secure Web Gateway Vendors | Features |
|---|---|
| 1. Perimeter 81 | User and Device Identity Management Endpoint Security Integration Automatic Wi-Fi Security Multi-Platform Support |
| 2. Zscaler | Secure Private Access (SPA) Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Identity and Access Management (IAM) Integration Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) |
| 3. Cisco | VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Internet of Things (IoT) Routing and Switching Unified Communications |
| 4. SonicWall | Real-Time Monitoring and Reporting Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Protection Cloud-based Security Management Virtual Private Network (VPN) Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) Unified Threat Management (UTM) |
| 5. Cloudflare | Argo Smart Routing Stream Video Delivery Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption Content Delivery Network (CDN) Stream Video Delivery Cloudflare Workers |
| 6. Barracuda Networks | Backup and Recovery Cloud-to-Cloud Backup Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus Cloud-Based Firewalls Application Security |
| 7. McAfee | Identity Theft Protection Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Security Management and Analytics Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Firewall Protection |
| 8. Check Point | Log and Event Management Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) VPN (Virtual Private Network) Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) Identity Awareness |
| 9. OpenDNS | Customizable Whitelisting and Blacklisting Roaming User Protection Reporting and Analytics Advanced Threat Intelligence Malware Protection |
| 10. Fortinet | VPN (Virtual Private Network) Application Control Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Network Segmentation Firewall Protection |
Best Secure Web Gateway Vendors 2024
- Perimeter 81
- Zscaler
- Cisco
- SonicWall
- Fortinet
- Barracuda Networks
- McAfee
- Check Point
- OpenDNS
- Cloudflare
1. Perimeter 81
.webp)
Year Founded: 2018
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel, with offices in New York City and Los Angeles
Their main function is to allow you to keep tabs on and protect your company’s most important resources from a central dashboard.
Whether you’re in the cloud, on-premises, or some other location, enabling secure zero-trust access is as easy as clicking a button. Access all of your data in one convenient view, including active sessions, licenses, gateways, and more.
By highlighting the underlying data points with a hover over dashboard graphs, you can easily focus on noteworthy trends and outliers.
With a transparent picture of current and historical user activity broken down by network, region, and gateway, estimating network requirements becomes much easier.
Features
- You can use Perimeter 81 to make separate, encrypted, and hidden networks for your business.
- At Zero Trust, people, gadgets, and apps are checked before they can use platform resources.
- From a single screen, Perimeter 81’s combined cloud administration lets admins decide who can connect to the network, make rules, and watch what users are doing.
- People who use MFA must enter both their password and a one-time code that is sent to their phone by email.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better ? |
|---|---|
| Secure Remote Access | Training and implementation |
| Cloud-Based Architecture | Internet dependence |
| User-friendly interface | Limited offline access |
| Cross-platform compatibility |
Perimeter 81 – Demo/Trial
2. Zscaler
Year Founded: 2007
Location: San Jose, California, United States
What they do: You can offer users zero-trust security in SaaS and on the web with comprehensive SWG capabilities and a full variety of security services powered by AI.
With AI-powered SWG, you can have always-on web security in a high-performance SaaS solution, without the hassle of deploying hardware or worrying about user experience issues.
Because our limitless TLS/SSL inspection can find and stop threats that are disguised in encrypted traffic, web-based apps are safe. Over eighty-five percent of security risks originate from this channel of communication.
Unlimited TLS/SSL inspection enables the detection and prevention of threats hidden in encrypted traffic—the origin of over 85% of attacks.
We continuously improve the identification and prevention of polymorphic threats, new malicious domains, phishing assaults, and more with AI/ML-powered analysis. This ensures that you are kept aware of the most recent attacks and techniques.
Features
- The SWG from Zscaler makes sure that everyone can safely connect to the internet at any time and from anywhere.
- Apps and data saved in the cloud are safe from hackers thanks to Zscaler’s cloud-based firewall.
- It checks out files and URLs that seem sketchy in a safe area to find and stop zero-day threats and new malware.
- The DLP technology from Zscaler stops private data from leaving the company’s network when it tries to do so.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Cloud-based | Compliance considerations |
| Global network | Deployment complexity |
| Security effectiveness | Service Outages |
| Zero Trust Architecture |
Zscaler – Trial / Demo
3. Cisco
Year Founded: December 10, 1984
Location: San Jose, California
What they do: The Cisco Umbrella Secure online Gateway (SWG) feature provides cloud-native, full proxy capabilities to improve performance and reduce risk by effectively logging, analyzing, and regulating online traffic.
Complete visibility, URL and application-level restrictions, and advanced threat protection are all provided by the SWG from Cisco Umbrella, a comprehensive proxy that monitors and examines all web traffic for your firm.
With its intuitive UI, it offers comprehensive online traffic surveillance, anti-malware and advanced malware protection, sandboxing, decryption, content restriction, and fine-grained controls over app activity.
Features
- If you use IOS and IOS XE on your Cisco router or switch, you can connect a lot of things.
- With a firewall and a VPN, the Cisco ASA (Adaptive Security Appliance) keeps your network safe.
- Cisco Webex lets people work together from afar.
- You can share web pages, videos, and files.
- Cisco UCS is a way for a data center to connect computers, storage, networks, and virtualization.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Industry Leader | Software Bugs and Updates |
| Strong Security Features | Licensing |
| Comprehensive Solutions | Hardware Compatibility |
| Scalability | Market Saturation |
Cisco – Trial / Demo
4. SonicWall
Year Founded: 1997
Location: Milpitas, California
What they do:
SonicWall, a cybersecurity provider, provides network security solutions to businesses of all sizes. They provide a variety of services, including firewalls, encrypted remote access, email protection, and wireless security.
Protecting networks and endpoints from malware, ransomware, phishing, and other advanced cyber threats is the primary goal of SonicWall’s product line.
Businesses can safeguard their digital assets and data from cybercriminals with the help of SonicWall firewalls. Comprehensive network traffic scanning, including for encrypted information, is one of our advanced services.
Features
- To stop threats, SonicWall firewalls keep an eye on all network activity, even data that is encrypted.
- SonicWall gives mobile users and people from other countries safe SSL VPN and other ways to connect to business resources from far away.
- The email security tools from SonicWall stop spam and phishing.
- SonicWall keeps wireless networks safe by encrypting them with WPA3 and stopping wireless attacks.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| User-friendly Interface | Market Competition |
| Deep Packet Inspection | Technical Support |
| Threat Intelligence | Integration Challenges |
SonicWall – Trial / Demo
5. Fortinet
Year Founded: 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States
What they do:
Whether it’s in the cloud, on-premises, or physically deployed, FortiProxy provides visibility and complete protection for every network segment, device, and appliance.
Gain immediate insight into the web traffic and security posture of your users, as well as crucial data and real-time system information.
Important components of the Security Fabric, such as FortiSandbox (which analyzes zero-day malware files using artificial intelligence) and FortiAnalyzer (which conducts centralized log analysis), are readily integrated.
Protects users from the latest threats, including viruses, malware, and polymorphic assaults. Completely reveals DNS traffic while blocking high-risk domains including parked and malicious newly registered domains (NRDs).
Features
- NGFWs, such as FortiGate, stop malware and application-layer threats by taking a closer look at network data.
- FortiClient keeps PCs, laptops, and cell phones safe from real-time threats like malware, ransomware, phishing, and more.
- Safe SD-WAN solutions from Fortinet connect networks that are far away quickly and safely by mixing networking and security.
- FortiSandbox separates files and URLs that might be dangerous so that complex risks, even zero-day attacks, can be found and stopped.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Security Solutions | Complexity |
| Unified Security Fabric | Support Experience |
| FortiGuard Threat Intelligence | Maintenance and Updates |
Fortinet – Trial / Demo
6. Barracuda Networks
Year Founded: 2003
Location: Campbell, California, United States
What they do:
In order to identify and stop phishing and spam emails, Barracuda’s email security solutions employ robust filtering algorithms.
To implement policies on the usage of certain content and websites even when users are not connected to the company network, we have added an unlimited number of remote user licenses.
Through the use of a user-friendly dashboard and integrated reporting options, you may obtain comprehensive insight into user activity and network risks.
Complete visibility into user actions and network security risks is at your fingertips with an easy-to-use dashboard and integrated reporting.
Features
- Application-layer attacks can’t happen with Barracuda NGFWs because they look at network data in great detail.
- Barracuda’s WAF protects web apps from SQL attacks, XSS, and other OWASP Top 10 flaws.
- Barracuda clouds back up files from Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace to other clouds.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Security Solutions | Performance Impact |
| User-friendly Interface | Licensing Complexity |
| Threat Protection | Technical Support |
| Scalability |
Barracuda Networks – Trial /Demo
7. McAfee
Year Founded: 1987
Location: San Jose, California
McAfee Web Protection, a secure web gateway, protects every device, user, and location from advanced Internet threats.
Protecting the system, tracking user behavior, and blocking clicks on bad links and pop-ups are crucial. Cues are visual.
Secure links are shown with green ticks; questionable ones are flagged. McAfee’s firewall and anti-malware technology detects and eliminates viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware.
Features
- Macs and other electronics can get rid of malware like viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware with McAfee’s anti-malware technology.
- McAfee firewalls keep an eye on network data and limit what can be sent to stop attacks and illegal access.
- People can’t go to dangerous or unsuitable websites with McAfee Web Protection because it screens URLs and sorts content into different categories.
- Protects against viruses, malware, ransomware, and other threats very well.
- Things are safer when there is a firewall that controls and watches both incoming and outgoing data.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Security | Resource Intensive |
| Global Threat Intelligence | Pop-ups and Notifications |
| User-friendly Interface | Potential False Positives |
McAfee – Trial / Demo
8. Check Point
Year Founded:1993, Ramat Gan, Israel
Location: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Their work: identifying compromised devices and preventing malware infestations with a multi-layered security architecture.
Protects remote workers by enforcing enterprise security regulations, which enable them to stay connected no matter where they are. Stay away from exploiting browser, application, or system vulnerabilities (such PDF readers).
To stop sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands, use a cloud data loss prevention system, along with established data categories and fine-grained policies.
Features
- Fortinet NGFWs from Check Point search all network data, even application levels, to find and stop strong threats.
- Check Point’s unified threat management lets you set security rules for your network, the cloud, and devices and keep an eye on them all from one place.
- Heck Point’s devices keep PCs, laptops, and cell phones safe from real-time malware, phishing, and other threats.
- Advanced threat monitoring methods are used to find and deal with complex threats.
- Keeps information from getting into the wrong hands.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Advanced Threat Prevention | Licensing Mode |
| Prevent from Sophisticated threats | High Cost |
| Centralized Management | Limited Native Cloud Support |
Check Point – Trial / Demo
9. OpenDNS
.webp)
Year Founded: July 2006
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
The way they work: The OpenDNS settings apply to all of the devices in your home network that can access the internet. This includes TVs, smartphones, tablets, digital video recorders, and computers.
Portable computers running Windows or macOS can be safeguarded with the use of agents (*limited to 1–5 users, 3 devices per user). Create a “locked-down” environment by restricting web access to approved domains only.
In-built protections can ward from dangerous phishing and virus websites. Put in place suitable parental controls on all of your home’s devices right away.
Features
- Because it checks the DNS, OpenDNS blocks websites that are harmful or not suitable for the type of site.
- By getting better knowledge about threats, OpenDNS stops phishing websites that steal banking and login information.
- OpenDNS blocks dangers that are connected to botnets by finding devices that are infected and stopping them from talking to command-and-control servers.
- OpenDNS lets managers decide who can and can’t access certain websites, like adult content, social networks, and gambling sites.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Protection | Dependency on DNS |
| DNS Filtering | False Positives |
| Threat Intelligence | Limited Visibility into Encrypted Traffic |
OpenDNS – Trial / Demo
10. Cloudflare
Year Founded: July 2009;
Location: San Francisco, California, U.S
What they do: Reduce cyber risk by limiting access to known hazardous, risky, or undesirable locations with Cloudflare’s unrivaled visibility across Internet traffic.
Get full insight into your Internet traffic from any device, anywhere in the world, and improve technical efficacy by stacking in-line Zero Trust services.
Uses proactive inspection and filtering policies across all applicable security domains to detect and prevent attacks.
Using DNS filtering to secure office users first, followed by more comprehensive inspections across all locations, will improve user protection.
Features
- The huge CDN that Cloudflare has stores and serves static material from computers all over the world.
- This cuts down on latency and makes it faster for websites to load.
- Cloudflare makes sure that websites and apps stay online even when they are attacked by a DDoS.
- It stops malicious traffic and checks for SQL attack, XSS, and other OWASP Top 10 flaws. This keeps web apps safe.
- To protect the data sent between users and computers, Cloudflare uses free and simple SSL/TLS certificates for HTTPS websites.
| What is Good? | What Could Be Better? |
|---|---|
| Content Delivery Network (CDN) | Data Privacy Concerns |
| DDoS Protection | Limited Control |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Cache Invalidation |
| SSL/TLS Encryption | Reliance on Cloudflare’s Infrastructure |
Cloudflare – Trial / Demo
Conclusion
To sum up, any business that cares about its digital assets, its users’ privacy, and the safety of its online transactions must carefully consider which secure web gateway vendor will best meet its needs.
We’ve considered a wide range of criteria, including detection of threats, Content filtering, authentication of users, scalability, performance, ease of deployment, and support for existing customers.
After extensive research, we found that multiple providers offer superior performance and rich functionality in secure web gateways.
It’s important to note that the best option may change depending on the business’s specifics, the industry’s nature, and the available resources.
FAQ
To protect people and networks from online risks, a Secure Web Gateway can filter and monitor web traffic, block harmful sites, identify malware, enforce policies, and stop data breaches.
Improved web security, protection from malware and data breaches, control over web app usage, optimized network performance, and detailed reporting for better monitoring and decision-making are just some of the benefits of using a Secure Web Gateway, which also helps to create a more productive online environment for users and businesses as well.
Regarding SSL/TLS inspection and finding risks within encrypted connections, SWGs can easily decode communications.
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