Using Secure Sockets Layer bridging and content filtering mechanisms to provide defense in-depth when publishing SSL encrypted web hosts.

In this paper we discuss the benefits of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) bridging, also known as SSL initiation, a practice that allows Internet security professionals to successfully proxy encrypted traffic, thus enabling intrusion detection and/or prevention, virus detection, and content filtering of encrypted communications. Until recently it was very difficult to perform these functions cost effectively. Now that SSL bridging technologies are becoming a readily available resource, we will compare these new technologies to previous web deployment best practices. The fictitious 'Widgets Company' is used to demonstrate how the addition of SSL bridging technologies can enhance current security tools to better protect their network.