With cyber-attacks constantly on the rise, businesses of all sizes have become the main concern. These cyberattacks are getting more sophisticated, resulting in cybersecurity experts developing more robust lines of defense. Given the increased threats of these attacks, it has now become inevitably essential for organizations to deploy stronger cybersecurity mechanisms. Several components might form a robust security strategy; one of the best-known practices includes deploying a web application firewall or WAF. Implementing a WAF solution keeps the malicious traffic away from the website, making it one of the first steps towards protecting the data.
Defining WAF
A WAF or web application firewall’s basic purpose is to protect websites and web applications from all forms of malicious cyberattacks. A WAF basically serves as a filter that analyses and inspects all the requests coming into the web applications and blocking all the malicious web traffic. A web application firewall ensures that cyber-attackers and hackers remain away from accessing any critical data.
WAF Types
WAF can be classified into the following 3 major categories-
1. Hardware-Based WAF
A hardware-based WAF can be easily deployed using a hardware application that gets installed locally using a local area network, remaining close to the web and application servers. Usually, an operating system is present within the application, supporting all forms of software configurations and updates.
The significant advantage of using a hardware-based WAF is the high speed and performance that it delivers. Owing to the close physical proximity to the server, it can easily track and filter data packets coming in and out of the website/web applications at low latency levels.
Hardware-based WAFs can be a costly option, as owning and their maintenance is not so cost-effective. This type of WAF is usually linked with higher costs when compared to other forms of WAFs.
2. Software-Based WAFs
A software-based WAF is usually present inside virtual machines rather than a hardware application. All the necessary WAF components remain the same as that of a hardware WAF. The only difference between software and hardware-based WAF is that in the case of software-based WAF, users need to get their own hypervisor for running the virtual machines.
The major advantage of a software-based WAF is the flexibility that it has to offer. It can be used within an on-premise system, or the virtual machine can be deployed in a Cloud, resulting in a connection between Cloud-based web and application servers.
One prominent disadvantage of using a software-based WAF is that it needs to run on a virtual machine, resulting in high latencies during the WAF monitoring and filtering process.
3. Cloud-Based WAFs
A Cloud-based WAF is considered the new-generation firewall directly managed by the service provider through SaaS. Unlike a software-based WAF, the WAF components are present in the Cloud, requiring the user not to install anything on his system.
The key advantage of using Cloud-based WAFs is the simplicity that it offers. The user doesn’t need to install software; rather, he needs to subscribe to a provider’s plan. The WAF provider is responsible for performing all the optimization and update-related activities, thereby eliminating the user’s dependency to manage the WAF.
As the service provider entirely manages the WAF, there is often no room for user customization. Lack of customization is often seen as the major disadvantage or shortcoming of Cloud-based WAFs.
How SMBs Benefit from WAF
Enterprises often perceive cybersecurity measures as an unwanted expenditure. By deploying a WAF solution from a trusted provider definitely aids in enhanced data security against common cyber-attacks and vulnerability. When implementing a WAF, demands for no compromise or lapse in the entire security strategy. A WAF solution protects against most critical cybersecurity attacks that might go unnoticed and undetected.
Using a WAF solution benefits businesses in the following ways-
- Better Protection Against Online Attacks- A robust WAF solution serves as the first line of defense against all cybersecurity threats to web applications. WAF solution helps in offering advanced protection against common cyber-attacks that might hamper the website’s performance.
- Constant Background Monitoring- With a WAF solution, there is no need for any human interference. A WAF runs automatically in the background to monitor a website’s security and prevent any online attack.
- Cost-Effective Security Measures- A WAF is a cost-effective solution that can benefit small businesses. With a WAF solution in place, small businesses don’t need to invest too much to minimize the extent of cybersecurity threats.
- Easily Integrable- A WAF solution can be easily integrated with servers present in the network and doesn’t demand much of technical expertise for using and installing it.
Concluding Notes
A WAF or web application firewall can be a very cost-effective option. Without spending too much effort and time, businesses can easily overcome their robust data security challenges. By prioritizing and defining cybersecurity policies can be of great help to small businesses. They can minimize data & monetary losses, enhance trust among their clients and most importantly, increase their chances of remaining successful for longer duration projects.
