An application gateway is a type of network device or service that provides a range of security and performance-enhancing features for web applications. It is typically deployed in front of a set of web servers, acting as a reverse proxy to handle incoming requests and distribute traffic. An application gateway’s primary function is to improve the security, scalability, and availability of web applications by providing a range of features and services, like load balancing, SSL/TLS termination, web application firewall (WAF), content caching, content routing, and authentication and authorization. These features help to improve the performance and security of web applications while also providing better visibility and control for administrators.
If application gateways are not configured or managed properly, they may experience some security issues: