People believe that all firewall applications are the same across the spectrum. That is not the case, especially when discussing Web Application Firewalls (WAF). One of the biggest bits of information that companies may not be aware of is that the WAF needs updating, as there are new updates applied to an application. While WAF replacement may seem a little extreme to some, it may be a solution if the current application is significantly different from the original iteration. That is why a professional should keep an eye on what is going on to make this important decision.
The Difference from Other Firewalls
Most people assume that a WAF is the same as the firewall on their home computer. It is not. The WAF is divided between a whitelist or blacklist. Either it controls the conversations the application has or what people can interact with it. The WAF has to be constantly checked to make sure settings can handle the different attacks or traffic types. That is why a WAF replacement should be considered at different stages to handle new situations without straining what is in place. There may also be a need to change if the company changes from a server to the cloud or vice versa.
Many Decisions
Any company that survives via one or multiple web applications need to always be aware of their WAF. If they do not have one, they need it. They need to know if they need a WAF replacement. A firewall is the main ingredient in the defense of a company. That is why there is a need to be experts employed when the decision is made. This is a specialized field of knowledge, so experts should be asked how they would handle a situation. The decision can be tough.
