cybersecurity
WAF as a Service - Web Application Firewall
Protect web apps, Mobile Apps and APIs
What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and why is it important for your business security
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security solution that helps protect web applications from various online threats such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other attacks. It works by monitoring and filtering incoming traffic to web applications, blocking malicious requests and preventing unauthorized access.
Today a WAF is used to protect web apps, APIs and business-to-business transactions, in such cases we often refer to it as Web Application and API Protection (WAAP).
WAF (or WAAP) is important for business security because web applications are frequently targeted by attackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities and steal sensitive data. A WAF can help detect and prevent such attacks, thereby safeguarding customers’ personal information, financial data, and other critical assets. Additionally, WAFs can help companies comply with various industry standards and regulations related to data protection, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA. Overall, deploying a WAF can greatly enhance business security posture and protect brand reputation.
How does WAF as a Service work?
WAF as a Service is a cloud-based solution that provides web application firewall functionality without requiring to install or manage any hardware or software.
By using WAF as a Service, clients benefit from the advanced security capabilities of a web application firewall without having to worry about the complexities of managing and maintaining your own WAF infrastructure. This can save time, resources, and money while providing reliable, scalable, and effective protection for web applications and APIs.
Here is how it typically works:
1
Sign up for the WAF as a Service through a WAF provider and configure the DNS to point to the new WAF service instead of the web app
2
The WAF as a Service intercepts all incoming traffic to your app, using advanced filtering algorithms to analyze each request.
3
If the WAF as a Service detects any malicious requests, it blocks them from reaching the web app, preventing any potential attacks.
4
The WAF as a Service can also provide real-time alerts and notifications to help stay informed about potential attacks and suspicious activity.
5
The WAF as a Service can provide detailed reporting and analysis of website traffic, giving insights into potential vulnerabilities and threats that can be addressed proactively
Benefits of WAF as a Service for businesses
There are several benefits that a managed WAF as a Service can provide for businesses, including:
WAF as a Service can help protect web applications and APIs from various online threats such as cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and other attacks. This can help safeguard customers’ data and prevent costly data breaches.
With WAF as a Service, clients don’t need to invest in any hardware or software, and can quickly deploy it without any special expertise.
This can save time and money compared to managing and maintaining own WAF infrastructure.
WAF as a Service is designed to scale automatically to meet the needs of businesses, whether dealing with seasonal traffic spikes or rapid growth. Clients can easily adjust plans to match their needs, without worrying about overprovisioning or underutilizing WAF resources.
WAF as a Service typically operates on a subscription-based model, allowing clients to pay only for the resources you need. This can help reduce upfront costs and avoid costly capital expenditures.
WAF as a Service can help companies comply with various industry standards and regulations related to data protection, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA. This can help avoid costly fines and legal issues while demonstrating commitment to data privacy and security.
Types of Attacks WAF Protect Against
1. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks
XSS attacks attempt to inject malicious code into web pages to steal sensitive information or perform other malicious actions. WAF can detect and block such attacks by inspecting incoming traffic and filtering out any malicious payloads.
2. SQL Injection attacks
SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that allow attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to data theft or destruction. WAF can detect and block such attacks by analyzing incoming traffic and blocking any suspicious SQL commands.
3. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks
CSRF attacks attempt to trick users into performing actions on a website that they did not intend to perform. WAF can detect and block such attacks by inspecting the request headers and looking for any inconsistencies.
4. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
DDoS attacks attempt to overwhelm a website with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users. WAF can detect and block such attacks by analyzing incoming traffic and filtering out any suspicious traffic patterns.
5. File Inclusion attacks
File inclusion attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that allow attackers to include files from outside the web root directory, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft. WAF can detect and block such attacks by inspecting incoming traffic and blocking any attempts to include files from outside the web root directory.
managed security services - managed waf / waap
Our WAF Services
EXEO offers a managed WAF service. These web application firewall waf security services are managed and maintained by the Exeo Managed Security Services (MSS) team.
We support the following web application firewall as a service vendors.
Cloudflare WAF
Suitable for any client and any app, includes a CDN and requires the reconfiguration of name servers and hosting the DNS records.
Google Cloud Armor
Armor is designed to protect apps hosted on Google Cloud Platform and in Google Kubernetes Engine.
Azure WAF
Protecting apps hosted in Microsoft Azure and Azure Kubernetes Service
As a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), Exeo offers a range of services to manage the WAF for its clients. The services we provide for our clients are as follows:
Administration & Configuration
Helping clients deploy and configure their WAF to meet their specific security requirements. This includes setting up rules to block known threats and creating custom rules to protect against specific threats.
Threat Detection and Response
Exeo monitors incoming traffic to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time. It also investigates and responds to security incidents, providing clients with a detailed report of the incident and recommended remediation actions.
24/7 Monitoring and Support
24/7 monitoring and support to ensure that the WAF service is always functioning optimally. This includes real-time monitoring, incident response, and ongoing maintenance and updates.
