Techniques for providing enhanced network security

Abstract

Exemplary network infrastructures and methods employing a Security Gateway utilize client authentication for use of a secure connection between an application client and an application server of a protected network. Once a secure connection has been set up, a Security Gateway can start a timer for establishing a period within which a password and username are to be received from the application client before traffic is allowed to exit the Security Gateway. If a username and password are provided while the timer is running, the Security Gateway can contact a single sign on (SSO) server to check whether the username and password are correct. If the username and password are valid, the Security Gateway can start relaying traffic externally to the application server. If an invalid username and password are provided or the timer times out before receipt of a username and password, the secure connection can be terminated.