Evolving Web Security: WAAP (Web Application and API Protection)

Today, the majority of businesses operate in web-based environments, and the scale of web-based operations has expanded significantly. With this expansion comes an increase in attacks on web environments. In response, web security technologies are evolving rapidly.

Adapted to the complex and ever-changing web environment, WAAP(Web Application and API Protection) has become an essential component of web security. Let’s explore the concepts related to WAAP, its role, and the solutions available for enterprises to establish a secure web security environment.

 

Next-Generation Web Security Solution: WAAP (Web Application and API Protection)

WAAP is a concept first introduced in 2018 by Gartner, a leading global IT market research and advisory firm. It represents an advanced security solution that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional WAFs(Web Application Firewall) to comprehensively address web threats, meeting the expanded security requirements of web applications. WAAP performs the following key functions:

1. Web Application Protection:
WAAP inherently includes the web application security features of a WAF. It monitors and analyzes HTTP/HTTPS traffic to block malicious traffic and requests (such as SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting, etc.) attacking web applications, and protects vulnerabilities to maintain a secure web environment.

2. API (Application Programming Interface) Protection:
WAAP safeguards APIs from malicious requests and DoS(Denial-of-Service) attacks caused by excessive traffic. Additionally, it performs API security functions such as JSON and XML schema validation/protection, and mTLS(mutual TLS) authentication support where both API clients and servers authenticate each other using certificates, ensuring bidirectional authentication.

3.Bot Control:
WAAP detects and protects against malicious bots that perform attacks such as application function disruption, spam or phishing email dissemination, interference with data analysis by legitimate bots, and data exfiltration. It identifies and manages automated web traffic, distinguishing between legitimate users and malicious bots to provide protection.

4. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Protection:
DDoS attacks overwhelm web servers with a large amount of traffic, causing disruption to the normal functioning of the server. WAAP initially detects and mitigates such attacks by mitigating traffic evenly across multiple servers to filter out bulk traffic. After the initial filtering, it employs application layer DoS defense techniques to block the majority of the attacks.

 

Expansion of API (Application Programming Interface) Utilization and Increasing Security Threats

API (Application Programming Interface) serves as software enabling different web applications to communicate and interact with each other, constituting the foundational technology for most widely used websites and applications today.

Supporting communication between all digital devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, banking systems, and e-commerce websites, APIs facilitate various functions, including accepting payments on e-commerce sites securely, sharing patient data securely in medical systems, and accessing real-time transportation data in public transit systems. It’s no exaggeration to say that APIs are utilized in almost every web application and service today.

The use of APIs has significantly increased due to the recent surge in application development in cloud-native environments. As a result, API vulnerability attacks have also risen. These attacks pose a severe security threat to applications that exchange data through APIs. The goal of these attacks is to gain unauthorized access to the data and functionality provided by APIs or to compromise systems. Therefore, it has become critically important to ensure API security in today’s landscape.

 

WAF(Web Application Firewall), the foundation of WAAP

The foundation of WAAP (Web Application and API Protection) is the traditional WAF(Web Application Firewall). WAF is a specialized firewall that deals with attacks aimed at web applications by concentrating on application security. Unlike regular network firewalls that detect and prevent external intrusions into internal networks, WAFs are placed between web applications and the internet. They monitor web traffic and take measures such as identifying and blocking potential malicious traffic to secure the web application.

 

Adapting to the Evolving Web Security Landscape

Cisco’s recent release of the 2024 Cybersecurity Readiness Index report, which targeted 8,000 business and cybersecurity leaders in 30 countries, reveals that 75% of surveyed companies worldwide are concerned about potential business disruptions due to cybersecurity incidents in the next 12 to 24 months. Among the respondents, 91% have increased their cybersecurity budgets in the past two years, which represents a significant increase compared to the 33% reported in 2023 who had plans to increase their budgets.

However, the report also reveals that approximately 71% of surveyed companies have only achieved a basic level of security readiness. Only 3% of global businesses have demonstrated the preparedness necessary to effectively respond to emerging cybersecurity risks.

The web security landscape is constantly changing, from traditional Web Application Firewall (WAF) to modern Web Application and API Protection (WAAP) and beyond into new concepts. In this increasingly complex environment, it is no longer optional but imperative for companies to adopt security solutions to protect their valuable intellectual property from cyber threats and build trust with their customers. By adopting security solutions, businesses can detect and defend against countless evolving attacks, establish a stable security environment, and significantly reduce the anxiety, effort, and risks associated with security incidents.

If you’re seeking a solution that can effectively respond to threats among countless security platforms, consider exploring Cloudbric WAF+, a managed security service offered by Penta Security. With a proven track record of securing the environments of over 7,000 customers across various sectors including government, public, corporate, education, and finance, Cloudbric WAF+ provides robust protection against threats

 

📌 Cloudbric WAF+

Cloudbric WAF+ is the first cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) platform in Korea provided by security specialists of Penta Security. With no need for installation of any agent or module, it can be easily and quickly deployed with just a DNS information change. Cloudbric WAF+ offers essential services for enterprise web security, including web application firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, malicious IP blocking, SSL/TLS certificate issuance, and mitigation of malicious bots. All these services are provided on a single platform. Furthermore, leveraging intelligent logic-based detection engines and deep learning AI engines, Cloudbric WAF+ detects and blocks new web attack patterns through data analysis and learning the characteristics of web traffic, thereby minimizing false positives.

 

The adoption of web security solutions by enterprises is a key strategy for achieving sustainable digital growth. Security plays a crucial role in gaining customer trust, extending beyond mere risk management. Embrace proactive web security solutions to establish a safer digital environment and a trustworthy business environment.