A proxy layer is infrastructure that sits between clients and external services, forwarding requests on their behalf. It can be a reverse proxy in front of a service, a forward proxy for outbound traffic, or a package and artifact proxy that relays software downloads. Because many systems trust it by default, it often becomes a network chokepoint for authentication, logging, filtering, and policy enforcement.
In cyber security, that trust makes proxy layers high-value targets. If an attacker can abuse, bypass, or compromise the proxy, they may intercept traffic, steal credentials, inject malicious responses, or reach services that were meant to be isolated. Defenders use proxies to centralize control, but they also need strong segmentation, strict egress rules, mutual authentication, and detailed monitoring. In AI and automation environments, a proxy layer is especially sensitive because tool-using systems may generate large numbers of requests that look legitimate unless tightly constrained.