Web Security Service (WSS) group or user based rule is not working for HTTPS sites

Products

• Web Security Service - WSS

Issue/Introduction

While creating a rule based on an Active Directory group or username to block or allow a certain HTTPS site, it is noted that the rule is not applying correctly. The HTTP (non-secure) version of the site works fine and a global rule to deny or allow the same site does work correctly as well.

Cause

Verdict is not applied due to SSL Interception not working for this particular site. Web Security Service needs to inspect the contents of the HTTPS traffic in order to correctly apply policy decision based on user or group.
 

Resolution

Within the Web Security Service portal: 

• Make sure SSL Interception is enabled and the WSS Root certificate has been distributed to endpoints.
  About Scanning Encrypted Traffic
• Check the configuration within the WSS portal (Policy > TLS/SSL Interception > TLS/SSL Interception Policy)
  • In Destinations, make sure the site is not exempted by URL, category, and IP/subnet
  • In Sources, make sure your location, user, subnet/IP or access method is not defined as an exemption
• Additionally, check for any object defined under Policy > Threat Protection > Trusted Sources / Destinations
  • For any URL, IP or network object defined here, SSL interception will be effectively disabled, e.g. If you have subnet 172.16.0.0/16 defined under Trusted Sources all traffic coming from clients on this subnet will be exempted from inspection, therefore, breaking user or group based policies.