A SWG is a security technology designed to protect organisations, networks, users and devices from internet-related threats. SWGs perform two primary functions: they filter out unsafe content from web traffic, and they block risky or unauthorised user behaviour.

Learn more about the capabilities of Forcepoint's secure web gateway solution through our comprehensive guide.

A SWG may be a software solution, a cloud-based service or a physical appliance. Positioned at the edge of a network, SWGs inspect incoming and outgoing traffic, using company policy to determine whether web traffic should be allowed, blocked or quarantined. Features of an SWG may include:

• URL filtering
• Application control
• Antivirus software
• HTTPS inspection
• Anti-malware detection and blocking
• Access control

With SWG technology, organisations can:

• Control sensitive data on the web
• Stop web-based threats
• Uncover and monitor shadow IT
• Deliver consistent performance
• Why do web security solutions matter?

A web security solution is designed to protect websites, web apps and other web resources from a wide range of cyber threats. While a variety of solutions have been developed to improve web security, these technologies are most often combined in a SWG.

Web security solutions, like a SWG, have become an indispensable part of the security stack as threats become more sophisticated and IT environments more complex. The traditional network perimeter has virtually disappeared, thanks to major IT transformations like cloud computing, BYOD, hybrid workforces and reliance on SaaS applications. Legacy web security solutions that require all traffic to be routed through a central hub for security inspection can add severe latency to network connections, hindering productivity and limiting competitiveness.

A web security gateway prevents web-based threats from entering an organisation's network and blocks users from accessing web resources that may contain malware, viruses and other threats. A web secure gateway serves as a checkpoint, sitting between an organisation's internal network and the internet to inspect traffic flowing in from and out to the web. Web security gateway solutions employ a variety of technologies such as URL filtering, malware detection, application control and inspection of encrypted traffic while delivering greater visibility into web traffic and usage.

A web security appliance helps protect organisations and users from internet-related threats such as malware, viruses, spoofed websites, phishing attacks and more. Web security appliances can also help prevent data leaks, control application usage, improve visibility of web activity and enforce security policies across the organisation.

A SWG service is a cloud-based solution that monitors all traffic entering an IT environment from the web, as well as all outbound web requests from an organisation's users.

Forcepoint's secure web gateway stands apart through deep integration of data protection features, not just threat prevention. Unlike legacy vendors, Forcepoint combines granular web content filtering with built-in DLP enforcement, a robust policy library and native support for classification tagging. The platform includes mature Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) with file sanitisation using CDR, features often missing or underdeveloped in competitive SWG security solutions. These capabilities provide enterprise-grade control, visibility and policy orchestration for sensitive data without compromising speed or user experience.

Forcepoint’s secure web gateway solution combines its Advanced Classification Engine (ACE) with Advanced Malware Detection and Protection (AMDP) to detect and block both known and unknown threats, including ransomware and zero-day exploits. Through RBI technology, it isolates risky websites in a secure container, preventing malware from reaching endpoints. This makes Forcepoint ideal for organisations facing sophisticated cyberattacks in highly distributed environments.

Forcepoint delivers cloud-native flexibility through distributed enforcement and public cloud elasticity, allowing secure web traffic inspection without bottlenecks. While legacy security vendors rely on static architectures, Forcepoint scales dynamically to meet enterprise workloads, whether users are remote, hybrid or office-bound. Forcepoint's secure web gateway product integrates policy controls and threat defences directly into cloud workflows to help large organisations reduce latency while maintaining consistent global enforcement.

Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA), enforced by the PDPC, mandates “reasonable security arrangements” for personal data protection and mandates mandatory breach notifications within three days. Moreover, the Cybersecurity Act, bolstered by recent amendments, and IMDA’s new Advisory Guidelines for Cloud Services and Data Centres require critical information infrastructure owners to implement risk controls, business continuity and resilience measures. Forcepoint’s secure web gateway enables compliance through SSL/TLS inspection of encrypted web traffic, AI-based DLP, inline threat detection and centralised logging.

As a regional hub, Singapore hosts HQs that manage data flows across Southeast Asia and beyond, requiring consistent security policies. Forcepoint’s secure web gateway solution provides cloud-native encryption inspection and Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) to safeguard against web threats when accessing regional systems. Its centralised policy orchestration ensures unified control across global branches, while AI-driven DLP prevents sensitive data leakage.