How Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) Work: A Comprehensive Guide

In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, protecting web applications has become an indispensable requirement for organizations of all sizes. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and security of web-based services. Operating at the application layer (Layer 7) of the OSI model, WAFs are uniquely positioned to monitor, filter, and protect HTTP and HTTPS traffic between a web application and the internet.

This blog aims to delve into the core mechanics of WAFs, their key capabilities, and how organizations — especially those operating in cloud environments — can leverage them to enhance their overall security posture.

What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a specialized security solution designed to safeguard web applications by intercepting, inspecting, and filtering traffic. Unlike traditional firewalls that operate at lower levels of the OSI model, a WAF focuses specifically on application-level threats.

By analyzing incoming and outgoing traffic, WAFs detect and mitigate threats like:

• SQL Injection: Malicious SQL statements designed to manipulate databases.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Code…