A system and method are disclosed for providing controlled access via an external
network to a resource residing on an internal network. An external request addressed
to a first computer system associated with the internal network is received at
the first computer system via the external network. The external request comprises
a request from a requesting party for response data from a second computer system
associated with the internal network. At least part of the content of the external
request is analyzed at the first computer system to determine whether the request
is authorized. If it is determined that the request is authorized, the request
is processed.