What is an LLM Gateway?
An LLM gateway is an architectural layer between applications and model providers. Organizations commonly use it to centralize routing, identity-aware access, usage controls, logging, policy enforcement, and data-handling checks. It is a design pattern and market category, not a NIST-defined security control or substitute for application security.
Llm gateway security controls should be assessed in the context of the system, data flows, identities, integrations, and decision consequences. A precise boundary helps owners evaluate the exposure without overstating what one control can achieve.
What is an LLM Gateway used for?
A gateway can improve consistency and visibility where teams use multiple models or providers. Its value depends on controls it can enforce and telemetry it preserves. It cannot decide whether an agent should access a business system, validate a high-impact action, or make untrusted retrieved content safe. Evaluate it with IAM, secrets management, DLP, application validation, and response requirements.
