Network traffic decryption
SSL offloading solutions relieve the burden on application servers by taking over the tasks of encrypting and decrypting SSL/TLS traffic. At the same time, they provide advanced traffic inspection and protection against threats that may be hidden in encrypted network traffic. As a result, organisations can effectively monitor, filter and neutralise cyber attacks, while increasing the efficiency of their IT infrastructure and ensuring regulatory compliance at the same time.
Main features and functions of SSL offloaders
1. offloading the application servers
SSL offloading moves the processes involved in encrypting and decrypting traffic to dedicated devices or solutions, which increases the performance of application servers.
SSL/TLS traffic interception: The SSL Offloading solution receives encrypted requests from users, decrypts them, analyses them and then forwards the traffic to the servers in unencrypted form.
Example: the e-commerce application server processes more orders because it does not have to deal with the time-consuming process of encrypting and decrypting HTTPS traffic.
Example: the e-commerce application server processes more orders because it does not have to deal with the time-consuming process of encrypting and decrypting HTTPS traffic.
Re-encryption of traffic: outbound traffic to users is again encrypted by the SSL Offloading solution, which guarantees the confidentiality of data.
Example: bank transaction data are securely transferred from the app to the customer after going through the inspection process.
Example: bank transaction data are securely transferred from the app to the customer after going through the inspection process.
2. encrypted traffic inspection (SSL/TLS Inspection)
Many cyber threats, such as malware or malicious queries, are hidden in encrypted traffic. SSL offloading solutions allow inspection of this traffic to detect and neutralise threats.
Decrypting traffic for analysis: SSL Offloading decrypts traffic to detect potential threats such as malware hidden in attachments, exploits that exploit vulnerabilities in web applications, attempts to upload malicious code.
Example: The attacker attempts to inject a malicious SQL query in HTTPS traffic, but SSL Offloading identifies the threat and blocks the request.
Example: The attacker attempts to inject a malicious SQL query in HTTPS traffic, but SSL Offloading identifies the threat and blocks the request.
Integration with security tools: The decrypted traffic is forwarded to security systems such as NGFW, WAF or EDR systems for further analysis.
Example: The WAF system detects attempted Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks in decrypted traffic and neutralises the threat.
Example: The WAF system detects attempted Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks in decrypted traffic and neutralises the threat.
3. Protection against man-in-the-middle attacks (MiTM)
SSL Offloading provides verification of SSL/TLS certificates and their compliance with best practices, which helps prevent MITM attacks.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Checking the integrity of certificates: The traffic despatch solution verifies that the SSL/TLS certificates used by applications and services are valid, not expired and from trusted issuers.
Example: The attacker attempts to impersonate a trusted site using a fake certificate, but SSL Offloading rejects such a connection.
Example: The attacker attempts to impersonate a trusted site using a fake certificate, but SSL Offloading rejects such a connection.
Preventing manipulation of movement: SSL Offloading prevents attackers from intercepting and manipulating traffic between the user and the server.
Example: The MiTM attack is neutralised because the traffic between the user and the server passes through a system to decrypt the traffic, which guarantees its integrity.
Example: The MiTM attack is neutralised because the traffic between the user and the server passes through a system to decrypt the traffic, which guarantees its integrity.
4. securing applications against advanced threats
SSL Offloading solutions support the protection of web applications against modern attack techniques, including attacks on encryption protocols.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Preventing attacks on SSL/TLS: The solution protects against known attacks on encryption protocols such as POODLE (Padding Oracle), BEAST (Browser Exploit Against SSL/TLS), Heartbleed (exploitation of vulnerabilities in OpenSSL).
Example: The attempt to exploit the Heartbleed vulnerability in encrypted traffic is blocked by SSL Offloading.
Example: The attempt to exploit the Heartbleed vulnerability in encrypted traffic is blocked by SSL Offloading.
Enforcing strong encryption protocols: SSL offloading forces the use of the latest and most secure encryption protocols, such as TLS 1.3, eliminating older, vulnerable versions.
Example: client using the outdated SSL 3.0 protocol cannot establish a connection, which protects the application from potential threats.
Example: client using the outdated SSL 3.0 protocol cannot establish a connection, which protects the application from potential threats.
5. Protection against data leakage
SSL offloading solutions support Data Loss Prevention (DLP) mechanisms by analysing traffic for unauthorised data transfers.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Traffic content analysis: The SSL Offloading solution decrypts the traffic and checks that the transmitted data does not contain confidential information such as personal, financial or trade secrets.
Example: employee attempts to send a customer database in an encrypted email. The traffic is decrypted and blocked by SSL Offloading.
Example: employee attempts to send a customer database in an encrypted email. The traffic is decrypted and blocked by SSL Offloading.
Protection against leakage by web applications: analysis of HTTP/HTTPS requests makes it possible to detect attempts to transfer confidential data via forms or APIs.
Example: an unauthorised application attempts to retrieve customer data, but the request is blocked.
Example: an unauthorised application attempts to retrieve customer data, but the request is blocked.
6. promote regulatory compliance
SSL Offloading helps organisations meet regulatory requirements for data protection and security.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Encryption management: solution enforces the use of strong encryption, which is required by regulations such as RODO, HIPAA or PCI DSS.
Example: data transferred between servers and clients is always encrypted using regulated TLS protocols.
Example: data transferred between servers and clients is always encrypted using regulated TLS protocols.
Reporting and audits: SSL offloading enables the generation of logs and reports of encrypted traffic activity to facilitate security audits.
Example: a financial services company can demonstrate PSD2 compliance by presenting logs of decrypted and monitored connections.
Example: a financial services company can demonstrate PSD2 compliance by presenting logs of decrypted and monitored connections.
7. business continuity and performance support
SSL Offloading increases the availability and speed of applications, allowing organisations to provide uninterrupted service to customers.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Reducing delays: SSL offloaders process traffic faster than standard application servers, reducing latency.
Example: online bank customers can quickly log in to their account as the servers are relieved.
Example: online bank customers can quickly log in to their account as the servers are relieved.
Redundancy and high availability: SLL termination solutions are often integrated with failover and load balancing mechanisms to ensure business continuity.
Example: The failure of one system to decrypt traffic does not affect the availability of the application, as traffic is redirected to another device.
Example: The failure of one system to decrypt traffic does not affect the availability of the application, as traffic is redirected to another device.
8. protection against bots and automated attacks
SSL Offloading allows the detection and blocking of automated traffic coming from bots.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Analysis of movement patterns: The solution monitors traffic for unusual behaviour indicative of automated attacks, such as brute force, account enumeration.
Example: A bot attempting to guess users' login details is detected and blocked.
Example: A bot attempting to guess users' login details is detected and blocked.
Integration with Threat Intelligence mechanisms: SSL offloaders use databases of known IP addresses and domains associated with botnets.
Example: an attempt to access the application from a suspicious IP address is rejected.
Example: an attempt to access the application from a suspicious IP address is rejected.
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