Web Application Firewall and Next Generation Firewall

50% of all websites had at least one significant exploitable vulnerability.

30,000 websites are compromised every day, on average.

More than 60% of web applications are susceptible to XSS attacks.

SQL injection vulnerabilities were discovered in 35% of educational institutions and 32% of government entities.

A web application firewall (WAF) security tool is made to guard web applications from malicious attacks. This is accomplished by keeping track of, filtering, and blocking incoming traffic to the web application according to a set of rules developed to recognize and thwart well-known attack patterns.

One of the main benefits of using a WAF is that it can help to protect against a wide range of threats, including SQL injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, and other types of injection attacks. It can also help to protect against different types of attacks, such as denial of service (DoS) attacks and brute force attacks. 

Network-based WAFs and host-based WAFs are the two main categories of WAFs. Network-based WAFs are set up at the network level, usually in front of the web server, and are made to defend against a variety of dangers. On the other hand, host-based WAFs are placed on the web server and are made to defend against a specific class of threat.

One of the key challenges with WAFs is that they can sometimes be too restrictive, blocking legitimate traffic along with malicious traffic. This is why it is important to carefully configure the WAF to allow only the traffic that is needed, while still providing a high level of protection. 

Another challenge is that WAFs can be bypassed by attackers who use techniques such as encoding or encryption to conceal their attacks. To discover and fix any potential vulnerabilities, it is crucial to routinely analyze and monitor the WAF logs as well as to keep the ruleset for the WAF up to date.

Next-Generation Firewall 

You may use also a next-generation firewall (NGFW). NGFW is a type of firewall that combines the best features of a traditional network firewall and a web application firewall 

A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Compared to traditional firewalls, it is intended to give a more thorough and proactive approach to network security, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to detect and stop threats before they can cause harm.

Some key features of next-generation firewalls include: 

Application awareness: The firewall is able to understand and control the specific applications that are being used on the network, rather than simply blocking or allowing traffic based on the port or protocol.

Deep packet inspection: The firewall uses deep packet inspection (DPI) to examine the contents of individual packets at the application layer, rather than just looking at the header information. This allows it to identify and block threats that might not be detectable at the lower layers of the network. 

Virtualization: Some next-generation firewalls use virtualization technologies to create multiple virtual firewalls within a single physical appliance, which can be used to segment the network and provide more granular control over traffic. 

Cloud-based management: Many next-generation firewalls are now being managed through cloud-based platforms, which allows for easier deployment, updates, and management of the firewall across multiple locations. 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Some next-generation firewalls use AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze traffic patterns and identify potential threats in real time, allowing them to adapt and respond more quickly to changing security needs.

WAF and NGFW comparison 

Here are some key differences between a web application firewall and a next-generation firewall: 

• Scope: A WAF is specifically designed to protect web applications, while an NGFW is designed to protect the entire network.
• Technology: WAFs typically use techniques such as application awareness and deep packet inspection to identify and block threats, while NGFWs may use a wider range of technologies such as virtualization, cloud-based management, and AI/machine learning.
• Deployment: WAFs are usually deployed in front of the web server and are designed to protect against a specific set of threats. NGFWs, on the other hand, can be deployed at various points in the network and are designed to protect against a wider range of threats.

Both a web application firewall and a next-generation firewall are important tools for protecting against cyber threats. While a WAF is specifically designed to protect web applications, an NGFW provides a more comprehensive and proactive approach to network security. Depending on an organization’s needs and resources, it may be appropriate to use both types of firewalls as part of a layered security approach. 

Web application firewalls are crucial security tools that can assist shield web applications from a variety of dangers. It can add an extra layer of security and help lower the risk of assaults, even though it is not a full security solution by itself.