What is it?
A WAF acts as a shield between your web applications and the internet, inspecting traffic to identify and block common attack patterns. Proper configuration and ongoing tuning ensure that your WAF effectively neutralises threats without impacting the user experience.
What could happen?
If the WAF is left with default or outdated settings, attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities or bypass filters altogether. Conversely, an overzealous configuration might block legitimate traffic, frustrating users and reducing productivity. A neglected WAF is essentially security theatre—present but not truly effective.
What to do about it?
Foundational: Enable vendor-recommended rule sets and monitor WAF logs to identify obvious attack patterns.
Outcome: Quickly puts baseline defences in place and helps spot common threats.
Enhanced: Adjust rules based on real traffic patterns, fine-tuning signatures to reduce false positives and address evolving attack vectors.
Outcome: Improves accuracy, reducing disruptions to legitimate users while maintaining robust defences.
Comprehensive: Integrate the WAF with vulnerability scanners and SIEM tools. Implement virtual patching for newly discovered flaws, ensuring timely remediation even before formal code fixes are deployed.
Outcome: Creates a dynamic, adaptive defence that proactively responds to new threats.
