What is the purpose of SSL Forward Proxy?

The purpose of SSL Forward Proxy is to enable the decryption of outbound SSL traffic for inspection while maintaining privacy. This functionality is crucial for organizations seeking to implement effective security measures while adhering to user privacy regulations. When SSL traffic is transmitted over the network, it is encrypted to protect sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and other confidential data. However, this encryption can also prevent security devices like firewalls from inspecting the traffic for potential threats.

By using an SSL Forward Proxy, the encryption can be temporarily removed, allowing the firewall to inspect the unencrypted data for malicious content or policy violations. Once inspected, the data can be re-encrypted before it reaches its final destination, ensuring that the original security and privacy of the communication are preserved for the end users. This is an essential strategy for proactive threat management, helping to mitigate risks associated with encrypted traffic without compromising individual privacy rights.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of the SSL Forward Proxy. While unrestricted access to external URLs, bypassing security features, or encrypting incoming traffic may be mentioned within different contexts of network security, they do not directly relate to the core purpose of SSL Forward Proxy, which is focused on the inspection of outbound traffic through decryption.