A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is a security solution that protects users from online threats by enforcing policies and inspecting traffic between users and the internet. Acting as a checkpoint for all web traffic, SWGs are designed to prevent exposure to malicious websites, data exfiltration, and compliance violations.

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SWGs typically provide the following core functions:

• URL filtering, blocking access to known malicious or inappropriate websites.
• Malware detection and sandboxing to identify and analyze suspicious downloads or traffic in real time.
• Application control, managing how users interact with web apps and services (e.g., blocking uploads to personal file-sharing accounts).
• Data loss prevention (DLP) to prevent sensitive data from leaving the organization via HTTP/HTTPS.
• Policy enforcement, ensuring users adhere to acceptable use policies and security protocols.

Modern SWGs are increasingly cloud-delivered, making them more scalable and better suited for remote or hybrid workforces. Unlike legacy solutions that require routing traffic through on-prem appliances, cloud-based SWGs can inspect and secure traffic directly at the edge, closer to the user.

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Many SWGs now integrate with threat intelligence platforms to stay up to date with emerging threats, and offer real-time analytics and user behavior monitoring. Advanced capabilities such as SSL decryption, identity-based policies, and integration with other tools (e.g., CASBs or SIEMs) further enhance their effectiveness.

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SWGs are a critical component of modern network security architectures like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). They provide the first line of defense against internet-based attacks and serve as a control point for governing SaaS and web activity—protecting users no matter where they are or what device they’re using.