What is the significance of SSL inspection in network security?

SSL inspection is a critical process in network security that allows organizations to examine encrypted traffic for potential threats. As many cyber threats are hidden within encrypted communication, SSL inspection enables security devices like firewalls and intrusion detection systems to inspect this data for malicious content without compromising the integrity of the encrypted connection.

The significance of option B lies in its dual role: it not only ensures that encrypted traffic is subject to security checks but also aims to minimize the performance impact typically associated with decryption and inspection processes. This is particularly important in a landscape where cyber attackers increasingly leverage encryption to obfuscate their activities, making it essential to have robust methods for inspecting this data in real-time while maintaining user experience and system efficiency.

The other options present misunderstandings about the role of SSL inspection. While encryption of outgoing traffic is a fundamental aspect of secure communications, it does not describe the inspection process. Increasing the speed of internet connections is not a function of SSL inspection; in fact, the process can introduce latency due to the time taken for decryption and inspection. Lastly, allowing unfiltered access to all websites contradicts the purpose of SSL inspection, which is to ensure security and compliance by examining all traffic, including that which is encrypted. Thus, option B accurately represents the essential