Mikrotik routers at the firewall level work at layer 3 and layer 4, in the case of fortios and palo alto they are devices that work at layer 7. There is no news if Mikrotik will release any device at layer 7 in the future
The ability of MikroTik's RouterOS to incorporate advanced features such as SSL Inspection depends on several factors, including market demand, the company's development philosophy, and technical and privacy considerations.
Until April 2023, RouterOS does not include native SSL inspection functionality similar to that offered by solutions such as Fortinet's FortiOS or Palo Alto Networks' PAN-OS.
What is SSL Inspection?
SSL inspection, also known as TLS inspection or SSL interception, is a technique used in network security devices that allows you to decrypt and analyze encrypted HTTPS traffic. This is done to identify and block security threats that would otherwise be hidden within encrypted traffic.
Factors to Consider
- Market demand: MikroTik traditionally focuses on offering economical and efficient routing and switching solutions. Demand for advanced security features, such as SSL inspection, among MikroTik users could influence their decision to develop this capability.
- Development Philosophy: MikroTik tends to focus on stability, efficiency, and ease of use within its price range. Adding complex features like SSL inspection would require not only significant changes to the software, but also ensuring that these functions can run efficiently on existing hardware.
- Technical and Privacy Considerations: Implementing SSL inspection involves technical and ethical challenges, including certificate management and potential user privacy concerns. These are significant barriers that any manufacturer must consider when developing such capabilities.
- Regulations and Compliance: Depending on the region and industry, there may be regulations that limit or guide how and when SSL inspection can be performed, which could also affect MikroTik's decision to implement this feature.
Alternatives and Current Solutions
While RouterOS does not offer SSL inspection, organizations that require this capability may need to complement their MikroTik devices with additional security solutions that do offer SSL inspection, or consider third-party products that already integrate this feature for certain segments of their network.
Conclusion
Although it is uncertain whether RouterOS will incorporate SSL inspection in the future, evolving market and technology needs could influence MikroTik to adapt or expand its security capabilities. For the latest updates and development plans of MikroTik, it is advisable to follow their official announcements and participate in their user forums and technology conferences.
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