A Netskope Virtual Appliance is a software-based appliance that can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud to provide various functions and features for the Netskope Security Cloud platform. One use for deploying a Netskope Virtual Appliance is as an endpoint for Netskope Private Access (NPA), which is a service that allows users to securely access private applications without exposing them to the internet or using VPNs.
Another use for deploying a Netskope Virtual Appliance is as a Secure Forwarder to steer traffic from on-premises devices or networks to the Netskope platform for inspection and policy enforcement. Using a Netskope Virtual Appliance as a local reverse-proxy to secure a SaaS application or as a log parser to discover in-use cloud applications are not valid uses, as these functions are performed by other components of the Netskope Security Cloud platform, such as the Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) or the Cloud XD engine. References: Netskope Security Cloud Operation & Administration (NSCO&A) - Classroom Course, Module 2: Architecture Overview; [Netskope Private Access]; [Netskope Secure Forwarder].