You’re looking to improve your web security. Which WAFs should you consider?

1. Network-based WAF: Operates at the network perimeter, inspecting traffic between clients and servers to detect and block web application threats. 2. Host-based WAF: Deployed on individual web servers or within the application environment, providing granular protection tailored to specific applications and systems. 3. Cloud-based WAF: Delivered as a service from the cloud, offering scalable and easily deployable protection without the need for on-premises hardware or maintenance. 4. Appliance-based WAF: Implemented as a physical or virtual device within the local infrastructure, allowing organizations to have direct control over their web application security measures.

As with most security appliances, there are three types of WAFs. HW, SW, and SaaS each have their advantages and disadvantages. WAFaS - Named sometimes Cloud-based WAF - Low cost, Flexible and easy to deploy - Not for enterprise upto now Software-based WAF - Called as well Host-based WAFs - Its performance depend on hosted appliance but in general less than HW WAF Hardware-based WAF Good performance, high price , complex to implement, and need regular maintenance Sometimes called Network-based WAFs it is hardware devices installed on your network, between web server and the internet.

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) can be deployed in various ways to protect web applications from cyber threats. Cloud based WAFs, hosted by third-party providers, offer scalability and flexibility for cloud-hosted applications. On premises deployments provide control within an organization's data center. Reverse proxy WAFs intercept and inspect traffic between clients and web servers. Integrated WAFs are part of Application Delivery Controllers or Next Generation Firewalls, streamlining application delivery and security. Distributed WAFs use multiple instances strategically placed for comprehensive coverage. API Gateway WAFs specialize in protecting API endpoints.

1. On-Premises Deployment: WAF is installed and operated within the organization's local infrastructure, requiring maintenance, updates, and dedicated hardware. 2. Cloud Deployment: WAF is hosted and managed by a cloud service provider, offering benefits such as scalability, ease of implementation, and reduced operational overhead. 3. Hybrid Deployment: Utilizes both on-premises and cloud-based WAF solutions to accommodate diverse security needs across different parts of the IT infrastructure.

There are two WAF deployment modes, their names depend on the vendor and actually come from the position of the WAF regarding users and Web server In general, it is inline or reverse proxy mode Reverse proxy is called also out of path mode and here WAF placed behind your web server, caching and optimizing Inline mode WAF is placed in the path of the traffic between the Web server and the user, acting to inspect and filter traffics

WAF features depend on your requirements, threats you have, risks you may face, and your selected vendor as well In general there are of four core features WAF, DDoS protection, Bot management and API protection Top players in WAF are F5, Imperva, Barracoud, Cloudflare, Citrex, and Fortinet all of them profile these features Cisco also proposes in its security portfolio a solution called "Cisco Secure Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Bot Protection"

1. Web Application Protection: Shields web applications from common attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other vulnerabilities to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access. 2. API Security: Safeguards web APIs by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing traffic, protecting against threats like API abuse and data exfiltration. 3. Behavioral Analysis: Utilizes machine learning and behavioral analysis to identify anomalies in web traffic patterns, enabling proactive threat detection and mitigation. 4. Bot Mitigation 5. SSL/TLS Offloading 6. Regulatory Compliance Support 7. Custom Rulesets 8. Real-time Monitoring and Reporting

1. Licensing Fees: WAF solutions may have upfront licensing costs based on factors such as the number of protected applications, throughput, or feature sets. 2. Subscription Model: Some WAF offerings operate on a subscription basis, with recurring payments determined by the chosen service tier and duration. 3. Usage-based Pricing: Certain WAF providers offer usage-based pricing models, where costs are tied to metrics like bandwidth, requests processed, or the volume of protected data. 4. Additional Modules/Add-ons: Costs can increase if organizations opt for additional modules or add-on features to enhance their WAF functionality, such as advanced threat intelligence feeds or API protection capabilities. 5. Support and Maintenance

Regardless of the deployment type, effective WAF implementation involves configuring security policies, monitoring traffic, and regular updates to stay resilient against evolving threats. Considerations include the nature of web applications, traffic patterns, scalability needs, and alignment with the overall security strategy.

For more ; securing my web application / mobile app is more important than anything else So i will choose Inline WAF and i will choose F5 or Barracuda F5 is great option if I need Advanced load balancer but the cost will be extremely high So then next lovely option will be barracuda I like barracuda more than F5 as they have great support & amazing dashboard with easy managing & administering dashboard

Apart from cost, other factors to consider when evaluating WAFs include: 1. Integration with Current Infrastructure: Ensure compatibility with existing systems and the ability to integrate seamlessly with other security tools and platforms. 2. Performance Impact: Assess the potential impact on application performance and latency to ensure that the WAF will not hinder user experience. 3. Customization and Flexibility: Look for solutions that offer customizable rule sets and flexible configuration options to meet specific security requirements. 4. Threat Intelligence Capabilities 5. Compliance Requirements 6. Reporting and Analytics 7. Scalability