What type of proxy is typically placed at the edge of a corporate network to regulate outbound traffic?

A forward proxy is typically placed at the edge of a corporate network to regulate outbound traffic. This type of proxy acts as an intermediary for client requests seeking resources from other servers, meaning it can control and monitor the internet traffic that flows out of the organization.

By using a forward proxy, organizations can enforce security policies, restrict access to certain websites, and log user activities, making it an essential tool for managing and safeguarding outbound traffic. This capability to filter requests based on policy not only helps in preventing data leaks but also enhances security against potential external threats.

Other proxy types have different use cases that do not align with the primary role of regulating outbound traffic. For example, a reverse proxy serves to manage and control incoming traffic to the servers, while a transparent proxy usually operates without needing client configuration and is less utilized for outbound traffic regulation. Similarly, a web proxy specifically handles HTTP requests but can be considered a more focused category under the umbrella of forward proxies, which covers various protocols and outbound traffic management.