Understanding standalone and integrated modes for web protection solutions

Applies to:
  • Forcepoint Web Security, v8.5.x
  • Forcepoint URL Filtering, v8.5.x
Forcepoint URL Filtering may either be installed as a standalone solution, or be integrated with a third-party proxy, cache, or firewall product (for example, Cisco ASA or Microsoft Forefront TMG).
  • In a standalone deployment, Network Agent monitors Internet activity from all users and forwards both HTTP(S) requests and requests made via other protocols to Filtering Service to determine whether to permit or block the request. See:
    • Hardware recommendations for standalone Forcepoint URL Filtering deployments
    • Deployment guidelines for Network Agent
  • In an integrated deployment, the third-party product (integration product) forwards HTTP(S) requests, and sometimes also FTP requests, to Filtering Service to determine whether to permit or block the request.

    For information about integrating Forcepoint URL Filtering with a third-party product, see:

    • Integrating Forcepoint URL Filtering with Cisco
    • Integrating Forcepoint URL Filtering with Citrix
    • Integrating Forcepoint URL Filtering using ICAP Service
    • Integrating Forcepoint URL Filtering with TMG
    • Installing for Universal Integrations

Forcepoint Web Security includes Content Gateway, a high-performance web proxy that provides real-time threat analysis and website classification. In Forcepoint Web Security deployments, Content Gateway forwards HTTP(S) and FTP requests to Filtering Service to determine whether to permit or block the request. See Content Gateway Deployment.