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Application gateway

Application gateway

Application gateway definition

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.

Application gateway security issues

If application gateways are not configured or managed properly, they may experience some security issues:

• Inadequate authentication and access control. If authentication and access control mechanisms are not properly implemented, attackers can gain access to the application gateway and the backend servers.
• Vulnerabilities in the application gateway software. Like any software, application gateways can have vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.
• Denial-of-service attacks. If the application gateway is not properly protected against denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, attackers can overload the gateway and disrupt the availability of the web application.