Using a Cloud-Based WAF as a Service for Better Web Security
Before the advent of the cloud-based WAF, Web Application Firewalls (WAF) usually came in the form of hardware. These WAF appliances were great for big businesses and enterprises. They provided flexibility, fast accessibility to the device and did not depend on external connections for functionality. However, they also had a few disadvantages.
Hardware WAFs were very difficult to install and deploy since they are heavy and take up a lot of space. They can be hard to maintain, and lastly they’re on the costly side. Only large enterprises can actually afford hardware WAFs. Meanwhile, small and medium companies were left to fend for themselves.
The Birth of the Cloud-Based WAF
Thankfully, this has changed rapidly over time. Since the birth of the cloud, many innovative WAF vendors have turned these same enterprise level security features into a cloud-based WAF as a service specifically aimed at SMBs. The shift from hardware to cloud based WAF as a service have proven to be beneficial for three reasons.
1. Fully Managed Security
WAF as a service doesn’t require any hardware to operate. All one needs to do is configure their DNS information to start securing a website. This provides great accessibility for small and medium sized businesses. It also reduces any resources needed to setup and customize a traditional enterprise solution.
2. No Technical Knowledge Needed
A cloud-based WAF as a service also handles and manages all of your HTTP and HTTPS traffic. WAF vendors have detection technologies in place that can automatically detect and filter malicious attacks. This means you can focus on what’s most important for your business—gaining customers. The need for specialized security staff or technical experts is unnecessary when using a WAF as a service.
3. Easy to Understand Analytics
We make providing web security to SMBs our top priority. That being said, many WAF as a service vendors want to cater to the SMB market by providing easy to understand web traffic analytics. There is absolutely zero need to have a specialist scrub your web traffic data to look for any inconsistencies and how many attacks were actually blocked. These days, almost all security vendors provide great metrics and analytics that can help any business owner see the impact of their WAF.
Cloud-based WAF as a service solution has made it possible for more people to secure their websites with zero hassle and at a much lower cost. Implement a WAF today so you can focus on growing your business while we take care of the rest.