Web Application Firewall Guide
What is a Web Application Firewall?
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a specialized security solution that protects web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP/HTTPS traffic. WAFs defend against common web attacks including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities.
WAF Deployment Models
WAFs can be deployed in three primary models: network-based (hardware appliances), host-based (server software), and cloud-based (SaaS). Each deployment model offers different advantages regarding performance, scalability, and management complexity.
Protection Mechanisms
WAFs use signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and machine learning to identify malicious traffic. They inspect request parameters, headers, cookies, and payloads to detect attack patterns and anomalies that could compromise web applications.
Rule Configuration
Effective WAF protection requires careful rule configuration balancing security and usability. Organizations should start with restrictive rules in monitoring mode, tune policies based on legitimate traffic patterns, and gradually enforce blocking rules to prevent false positives.
Integration with DevOps
Modern WAFs integrate with CI/CD pipelines enabling DevSecOps practices. API-based management, infrastructure as code support, and automated policy updates ensure security scales with application development velocity.
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