CyberGuard dictionary / Network Security
Proxy Server
A proxy server is an intermediary selected by a client to make requests to another service on the client's behalf.
In simple terms
Instead of contacting a website directly, a device can send its request to a proxy that forwards it under configured rules.
Technical explanation
A forward proxy can enforce access policy, log destinations, cache responses, or mediate outbound connections. It must handle authentication, privacy, and protocol details correctly; using a proxy does not automatically make traffic anonymous or safe.
A forward proxy makes requests on behalf of clients and can apply access policy, logging, and filtering. Visibility varies with protocol and encryption, and the proxy becomes a dependency for users.
Examples in practice
An organization routes employee web requests through a proxy that blocks known malicious destinations and records policy decisions.
A company routes staff browsing through a proxy that blocks a known phishing domain. When the proxy fails, the business uses a documented bypass policy instead of disabling all controls indefinitely.
Why it matters
Proxy placement changes what endpoints see and where outbound security controls can be applied.
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Sources and further reading
Published 2026-10-15 · Last updated 2026-10-15 · CyberGuard editorial content. Source links provide context; they do not imply endorsement.