What is a primary function of web filtering in FortiGate?

The primary function of web filtering in FortiGate is to categorize and control website access. This involves analyzing web traffic and determining whether users can access specific websites or online resources based on predefined policies. By utilizing web filtering, organizations can enhance their security posture by blocking access to harmful or inappropriate content, thus protecting users from malware, phishing attacks, and content that violates corporate guidelines.

Web filtering allows administrators to define rules based on categories such as social media, gambling, or adult content, enabling a tailored approach to internet usage within an organization. This functionality not only helps in managing bandwidth and maintaining productivity but also plays a critical role in compliance with regulatory requirements regarding acceptable use policies.

While aspects such as data encryption, application performance monitoring, and user permissions management are important in network security, they do not fall under the core function of web filtering specifically.