Web Application Firewall
Also known as:
- WAF
What problem does it target?
WAF solutions address the risk of web application attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other OWASP Top 10 threats. They protect web applications from exploitation and data breaches.
What does this solution do?
WAF platforms:
- Inspect and filter HTTP/HTTPS traffic to web applications
- Block or mitigate common web attacks
- Provide virtual patching for vulnerabilities
- Offer logging, alerting, and reporting features
Who is this for?
- Organizations with public-facing web applications
- Security and DevOps teams
- Enterprises subject to compliance requirements (PCI DSS, etc.)
Who might not benefit from this?
- Internal-only applications with no web exposure
- Small sites with minimal risk
Pitfalls and remedies
| Pitfall | Remedy |
|---|---|
| False positives blocking legitimate traffic | Regularly tune rules and monitor logs |
| Performance impact | Use cloud-based or optimized WAF solutions |
| Gaps in coverage for APIs or non-standard apps | Choose WAF with API and custom rule support |
Sample products
- AWS WAF
- Cloudflare WAF
- F5 Advanced WAF
- Imperva WAF
- Akamai Kona Site Defender