If poor network security is creating security vulnerabilities for your organization’s network infrastructure, you could be at risk of a cyberattack that could cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair your network as a result of the attack.
Because of this, reliable network security solutions are important for all organizations to avoid cyberattacks and to avoid the consequences that result from them.
However, there are many network security solutions so it can be difficult to find the one that is the right fit for your organization.
Organizations can’t afford to be the victim of a cyberattack cyberattack so it’s critically important to identify which network security solution is the best choice to meet your needs.
Reading this article will help you understand the differences between SWG and FWaaS so you can determine which is the better choice for your organization.
Coeo understands how important reliable network security is to an organization and has delivered thousands of network security solutions to organizations to improve their security and help them avoid cyberattacks.
By the end of this article, you will understand what SWG is, what FWaaS is, the differences between them, and which one is the better choice for your organization.
What is Secure Web Gateway (SWG)?
Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is a type of SSE solution that provides security to users on the network who are accessing the internet.
SWGs secure users by filtering content, enforcing policies, and inspecting web traffic for malicious software and other threats.
What is FWaaS?
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), also known as a cloud firewall, is a cloud-based firewall that provides network security functions to ensure data is safe.
This solution enables your organization to deploy, manage, and scale firewall security without the need for on-premise hardware and infrastructure. Not only does this make the service less costly, but it also increases its flexibility.
FWaaS enables you to secure your network no matter where you are or what device is accessing the network. This makes it a better technology for a remote work environment because it can secure employees working from anywhere.
FWaaS also delivers more capabilities than traditional firewall services providing more in-depth security.
For example, in addition to offering the network traffic inspection that traditional firewalls include, FWaaS also provides next-gen firewall capabilities such as intrusion prevention and detection and URL filtering.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SWG, FWaaS, or other network security solutions, or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
The differences between SWG and FWaaS
While both SWG and FWaaS are reliable security solutions that can help improve an organization’s network security and prevent cyberattacks, there are differences between the two that can make one solution a better fit for your organization than the other.
It is important to understand these differences so you can better determine which solution is the better choice for your organization. Key differences between these solutions include:
Security focus
The main difference between Secure Web Gateways and Firewall as a Service solution is what they secure.
SWGs secure web traffic and applications as well as user interactions with the internet while FWaaS focuses on securing the network infrastructure as a whole including the web traffic, applications, and users on the internet like SWG does.
In a nutshell, SWG secures web access while FWaaS secures the entire network infrastructure as a whole by providing firewall capabilities, traffic filtering, and threat prevention.
Solution capabilities
SWG solution capabilities include web filtering, malware protection, and data loss prevention. All of SWG's capabilities focus on securing web access.
Alternatively, an FWaaS solution includes all of the capabilities of SWG as well as traditional and advanced firewall capabilities such as data packet filtering, application control, and virtual private network (VPN) connectivity.
Is SWG or FWaaS a better solution for your organization
Now you understand what a Secure Web Gateway solution is, what a Firewall as a Service solution is, and the differences between the two.
However, it’s important to also understand which one is the better solution for your organization so you can determine which one is best able to secure your network.
If your organization is looking to secure your entire network infrastructure to ensure data is safe from malicious actors and cyberattacks, an FWaaS solution is the better choice for your organization.
However, if your organization already has a reliable network security solution that ensures your network infrastructure is safe but wants to add additional web security, an SWG solution may be the right fit for your organization.
SWG typically only secures web access so if your network infrastructure is already secured with other technology and is only looking to secure web traffic, applications, and users on the internet, SWG may be the better fit.
While both solutions provide different features and have different security focuses and capabilities, they can both be used simultaneously for better security.
If your organization is looking to improve network security inside your infrastructure as well as web security, both solutions may be a good fit for your organization to ensure your network is highly secured.
Determining whether SWG or FWaaS is a better fit for your organization
Now you understand what SWG is, what FWaaS is, the differences between the two solutions, and which one is the better choice for your organization. This information will help you determine which solution your organization should invest in.
If your organization does not have proper network security features, it can lead to network vulnerabilities that can result in cyberattacks. Cyberattacks can cost organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair their network after a cyberattack.
For this reason, reliable network security solutions are vital to the success of any organization that relies on a network connection to perform daily work tasks.
Understanding the differences between SWG and FWaaS will help you determine which solution will improve your network security.
Coeo understands how important reliable network security is to an organization and has delivered thousands of network security solutions to organizations to help them improve their network security and avoid malicious actors and cyberattacks.
We want you to understand the differences between SWG and FWaaS so you can make the best decision for your organization to improve network security.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SWG, FWaaS, or other network security solutions, or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
Now that you understand the differences between SWG and FWaaS, check out this article to learn more about the different SSE security services available:
