What is the purpose of SSL decryption in Sophos XG Firewall?

The purpose of SSL decryption in Sophos XG Firewall is primarily to decrypt SSL-encrypted traffic for inspection in order to detect hidden threats. Modern threats often utilize encrypted channels to avoid detection by traditional security measures. By performing SSL decryption, the firewall can access the content of the encrypted data streams, allowing it to analyze the traffic for malware, ransomware, and other security risks that may be concealed within the encrypted packets.

This process plays a critical role in ensuring that organizations retain visibility over their network traffic, even when that traffic is secured through encryption. It's essential for maintaining a strong security posture in today's environment, where more and more communication takes place over secure protocols. This capability helps in detecting potentially harmful traffic that could otherwise go unnoticed, thus enhancing the overall security of the network.

The other options, while related to network performance or user experience, do not capture the primary goal of SSL decryption, which is focused on threat detection and security assessment.