Blue Coat SGOS

Basic Information

Broadcom Blue Coat SGOS (Secure Gateway Operating System) is the foundational operating system for Broadcom's Secure Web Gateway (SWG) appliances, primarily the ProxySG and Advanced Secure Gateway (ASG) lines. It functions as a proxy-based cybersecurity and network management solution.

• Model: SGOS is an operating system that runs on dedicated hardware appliances (ProxySG, Advanced Secure Gateway) and virtual appliances (SG-VA).
• Version: The current long-term release (LTR) is SGOS 7.4. SGOS 7.3 was previously the LTR.
• Release Date: SGOS 7.4 was generally available (GA) on July 8, 2023.
• Minimum Requirements: Requirements vary significantly based on the deployment model (physical appliance, virtual appliance, or cloud). For virtual appliances, this includes specific hypervisor versions (e.g., VMware ESXi 6.5 for Common Criteria certified configurations) and underlying hardware resources.
• Supported Operating Systems (Client/Management): For management consoles, supported browsers include Google Chrome 60.0.3112+, Mozilla Firefox 57+, Microsoft Edge 42.17134+, and Safari 10.1.2+. Internet Explorer is not supported for the new Admin Console. For virtual appliance deployments, SGOS on KVM supports Linux-based operating systems like CentOS 7.3, Red Hat Linux Enterprise (RHEL) 7.3, and Ubuntu 14.04 and 16.04, requiring kernel version 3.10 or later.
• Latest Stable Version: SGOS 7.4 is the current long-term release.
• End of Support Date: SGOS 6.7 reached End of Life (EOL) on December 31, 2023. SGOS 7.3 will reach End of Life (EOL) after December 31, 2026.
• End of Life Date: SGOS 6.7 reached End of Life (EOL) on December 31, 2023. The EOL announcement date for SGOS 7.3 is December 31, 2024, with customers having two years from this date to upgrade to SGOS 7.4 LTR.
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: The license auto-update feature allows the proxy to check for license updates every 30 days. It attempts daily updates starting one month before expiration and for 30 days after expiration if the license is not renewed.
• License Type: Licenses can be perpetual for physical appliances or subscription-based for virtual appliances and enterprise deployments. Enterprise licensing is often based on CPU core count and is an annual subscription.
• Deployment Model: SGOS supports deployment on physical appliances (ProxySG, Advanced Secure Gateway), as virtual appliances (SG-VA) on hypervisor infrastructure (e.g., VMware vSphere Hypervisor, KVM), or in cloud environments.

Technical Requirements

Technical requirements for SGOS are primarily dictated by the hardware or virtual environment it operates within, as it is an appliance operating system.

• RAM: For virtual appliances, minimum memory requirements can vary, with certified configurations requiring at least 4GB.
• Processor: Virtual appliance deployments may require Intel Xeon processors (e.g., E5-1600 with up to 6 cores for certified configurations). Enterprise licensing is based on CPU core count.
• Storage: Virtual appliances typically require a minimum of one hard drive with at least 100GB free space. Symantec recommends creating 100 GB virtual drives, with multi-disk configurations for data disks to ensure redundancy.
• Display: For the ProxySG Admin Console, a minimum display resolution of 1366 x 768 is required.
• Ports: Physical appliances include various Ethernet ports (e.g., 1000Base-T Copper, 10Gb Base-T Copper). Serial ports are used for initial configuration.
• Operating System: SGOS is the operating system. For virtual deployments, it runs on hypervisors such as VMware ESXi or KVM (supporting Linux distributions like CentOS, RHEL, Ubuntu with kernel 3.10+).

Analysis of Technical Requirements

SGOS is designed for robust network security operations, necessitating dedicated resources. The shift towards virtual and cloud deployments offers flexibility, allowing organizations to leverage existing infrastructure. The emphasis on multi-disk configurations for virtual appliances highlights the importance of data redundancy and reliability. The specific browser and display requirements for the Admin Console ensure a consistent and functional management experience.

Support & Compatibility

Broadcom provides ongoing support and compatibility for SGOS, with a clear lifecycle for different versions.

• Latest Version: SGOS 7.4 is the current Long-Term Release (LTR).
• OS Support: SGOS runs on Broadcom's ProxySG and Advanced Secure Gateway appliances. Virtual appliance versions are compatible with hypervisors like VMware ESXi and KVM (on specific Linux distributions). Management interfaces are accessible via modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
• End of Support Date: SGOS 6.7 reached End of Life (EOL) on December 31, 2023. SGOS 7.3 will be End of Life after December 31, 2026.
• Localization: Information on specific localization support is not readily available in the provided snippets, but documentation is generally in English.
• Available Drivers: As an appliance OS, SGOS includes necessary drivers for its supported hardware platforms. For virtual appliances, compatibility is managed through the hypervisor.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Broadcom maintains a defined product lifecycle for SGOS, with clear End of Life dates for older versions, encouraging upgrades to the latest LTR. The move to web-native management interfaces, replacing older Java-based consoles, simplifies management and improves compatibility with modern client operating systems and browsers. Limited support for EOL versions typically focuses on critical security vulnerabilities.

Security Status

SGOS is a core component of a Secure Web Gateway, designed with numerous security features.

• Security Features: SGOS provides strong user authentication, web filtering, deep content inspection for data loss or threats, security checks to the Blue Coat Global Intelligence Network, inspection and validation of SSL/TLS traffic, content caching, bandwidth management, and granular policy controls. It supports TLS 1.3, HTTP/2, and DNS over HTTPS. Features include advanced protection against denial-of-service attacks and web application firewall capabilities for reverse proxy deployments.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Broadcom regularly releases updates and security advisories to address vulnerabilities. Limited support for EOL versions includes resolving critical and high-severity security vulnerabilities.
• Blacklist Status: SGOS leverages content filtering services like Blue Coat WebFilter (BCWF) and Intelligence Services for threat protection and URL categorization.
• Certifications: Blue Coat ProxySG has achieved Common Criteria certification (e.g., for SGOS 6.7.3 on specific hardware and VMware ESXi 6.5).
• Encryption Support: SGOS includes an SSL Proxy for visibility into encrypted traffic and supports hardware-assisted encryption and decryption. It supports TLS 1.3 and uses secure ICAP for malware scanning.
• Authentication Methods: SGOS supports various authentication methods including local user databases, Active Directory integration (IWA, LDAP), RADIUS, SAML, and Windows Single Sign-On (SSO). It recommends public key-pair authentication over password authentication for SSH.
• General Recommendations: Best practices include using strong passwords, configuring separate authentication realms for administrators and end-users, encrypting and signing access logs, and securing policy downloads.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

SGOS offers a robust security posture, acting as a critical Secure Web Gateway component. Its comprehensive feature set, including deep SSL inspection, advanced threat intelligence integration, and a variety of authentication mechanisms, provides strong protection against web-borne threats. Common Criteria certification further validates its security capabilities. Regular updates and adherence to security best practices are crucial for maintaining its effectiveness.

Performance & Benchmarks

SGOS is designed for high performance in secure web gateway operations.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmark scores are not detailed in the provided information.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: SGOS 64-bit operating system and hardware architecture provide multi-core, multi-processor, and high-memory capabilities to increase connection counts and improve performance. The SSL proxy includes hardware-assisted encryption and decryption.
• Power Consumption: Newer ProxySG models (S200, S400, S500) are designed with energy efficiency in mind, with power supplies rated Power80 Silver, Gold, and Platinum respectively.
• Carbon Footprint: Specific carbon footprint data for SGOS itself is not available, but the energy efficiency of the underlying appliances contributes to a reduced environmental impact.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Broadcom (Symantec Proxy) holds a significant mindshare in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category. Users sometimes compare it with alternatives like Cisco WSA, FortiProxy, Palo Alto firewalls, and Skyhigh Secure Web Gateway.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

SGOS, especially on modern ProxySG appliances, is engineered for high performance and scalability, crucial for handling demanding web traffic in enterprise environments. The 64-bit architecture and hardware-assisted SSL processing contribute to efficient operation. While direct benchmark figures are not available, the focus on optimized hardware and software integration suggests a strong performance profile. The energy efficiency of the appliances also indicates a consideration for operational costs and environmental impact.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Broadcom Blue Coat products, including those running SGOS, highlight both strengths and weaknesses.

• Strengths: Users praise its effectiveness in blocking unknown threats and file types, its lightweight nature, and its reliability with little management overhead. It is considered a robust solution for content inspection and granular policy control. Some users appreciate the strong technical support and ease of use.
• Weaknesses: Common complaints include the complexity of maintenance and upkeep, and perceived non-existent support from Symantec/Broadcom by some users. The cost can be a deterrent, and some users feel they only utilize a fraction of its features. The reliance on Java for older management consoles was also a point of frustration, though this is being addressed with newer web-native interfaces.
• Recommended Use Cases: SGOS is recommended for comprehensive web security, WAN optimization, deep content inspection, data loss prevention, malware protection, and ensuring user compliance with corporate policies. It is particularly suited for organizations requiring granular control over web applications and encrypted traffic.

Summary

Broadcom Blue Coat SGOS is a mature and powerful operating system forming the backbone of Broadcom's Secure Web Gateway solutions. It offers extensive features for web security, content filtering, and traffic management, deployed across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. The latest Long-Term Release, SGOS 7.4, continues to evolve with modern web-native management interfaces and support for advanced protocols like TLS 1.3 and HTTP/2.

Strengths include its comprehensive security capabilities, deep inspection of encrypted traffic, granular policy controls, and robust performance on optimized hardware. Its Common Criteria certification underscores its security rigor.

Weaknesses sometimes cited by users involve the complexity of management and the cost, with some feeling underutilizing its vast feature set. Historical reliance on Java for management interfaces was a point of concern, though this is being phased out.

Recommendations for organizations include upgrading to the latest LTR (SGOS 7.4) to benefit from ongoing enhancements, security updates, and improved management interfaces. Leveraging its advanced features for SSL inspection, application control, and threat intelligence is crucial for maximizing its value. Organizations should also consider the flexible deployment models (physical, virtual, cloud) to best fit their infrastructure and scalability needs. Adherence to Broadcom's security best practices and regular updates is essential for maintaining a strong security posture.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.