If you’re in an organization where your company has a website, there are some things you should know about the benefits of a proxy server. These include secure access to the web, reduced chances of a data breach, and improving web content delivery.
Secure sensitive company data from being stolen
There’s no denying that sensitive company data needs to be secured. This may require a combination of technical and human safeguards. A secure data recovery plan can help mitigate the damage if a breach is unavoidable.
The secret to protecting sensitive data from being compromised is to limit access to it. For example, if an employee leaves a database online without password restrictions, a hacker could use that credential to access lateral movements on the network. Similarly, an attacker could replicate hardware tokens used for secure access in corporate environments. Ensure all sensitive information is encrypted for maximum security.
Sensitive data is best protected by creating a Data Classification Policy that details which information is confidential, public and private. This will allow you to implement appropriate controls.
Hide internal clients from an external network
The use of a proxy server can be a good thing, particularly if you have a lot of traffic to route through it. A good proxy can help keep a nefarious hacker from accessing your networked assets, or worse yet, accessing your data. Proxy servers come in all shapes and sizes, so choosing the one that best suits your needs is paramount. In particular, choose a provider that isn’t as over-stretched as your mainframes and firewalls. Lastly, consider having the service on your own IP address. This will give your IP a breather from the rest of the neighborhood.
There’s a reason why this type of solution is a staple of the corporate network: it’s cheap. The cost of a dedicated proxy server can be as low as $300 per year, which is well worth the investment in my opinion.
Unblock content in geo-restricted sites
The use of a proxy server can help you unblock content in geo-restricted sites. It works by changing your IP address to another location. This way, the website will see that you are in another country, not your actual one.
Some countries have strict censorship laws. These restrictions prevent citizens from accessing certain websites, especially online gambling and pornography. In some cases, they also impose geo-restrictions on streaming services and YouTube videos.
Content providers often have to purchase licenses from various countries to access specific types of content. These licenses can be quite expensive. However, the rights to certain kinds of content can vary greatly, depending on the local laws. For example, many well-known US websites are blocked in EU countries.
Streaming services like Netflix have different pricing structures, depending on the country in which the user lives. If the user is in the UK, the company may have the right to stream a particular TV show. But, if the user is in Thailand, they cannot.
Improve web content delivery
Having a CDN or reverse proxy may be the ticket if you are looking to improve your website’s loading time and visitor experience. A good one will also guard you against DDoS attacks and make your website available to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The best way to implement a CDN is to hire the services of a dedicated provider that is well versed in the art of scaling your website for maximum performance. Luckily, there are plenty of companies that have taken the initiative on your behalf. In fact, they will happily help you out for a hefty fee.
The best and brightest in the business will be more than happy to share your server space with you. The benefits are numerous. You get a full time techie at your disposal, a secure network that is more than willing to help you out, and a scalable infrastructure that is more than capable of tackling the biggest hitters in the form of a rogue network.
Reduce the chances of a data breach
Proxy servers provide an additional layer of security to your organization. This additional layer of protection protects your sensitive data and prevents data breaches.
Data breaches are an important concern for any business. They are costly and often result in significant losses. A proxy server can reduce the risk of a data breach, while providing the necessary safeguards against malware and identity theft.
Proxies protect personal information by encrypting the traffic that passes between a client’s computer and a web server. Proxies also hide the IP address of the client. If you have a company that relies on its employees to conduct research or development, a proxy can protect you from any malicious infiltration.
Proxies are often used in conjunction with a secure web gateway, which provides security inspection of HTTP and a variety of other web standards. In addition, proxy servers help reduce the risk of DDoS attacks.