Application Gateway

A Layer 7 reverse proxy and load balancer that distributes web traffic, integrates WAF protection, and provides TLS/SSL offloading to secure and optimize public-facing applications.

An Application Gateway is a Layer 7 (application layer) security device that functions as a reverse proxy and load balancer, managing and distributing incoming web traffic across multiple backend servers. It plays a critical role in Network & Infrastructure Security by ensuring high availability, scalability, and optimal performance for public-facing applications while simultaneously acting as a front-line defense against cyber threats.

A defining feature of an Application Gateway is its integrated Web Application Firewall (WAF), which inspects traffic to detect and block common web vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other OWASP Top 10 threats. It also provides TLS/SSL offloading, decrypting encrypted traffic before it reaches backend servers to reduce processing overhead and simplify certificate management. By centralizing traffic routing rules and providing protection against denial-of-service attacks, the Application Gateway serves as an indispensable component in securing complex digital environments.