Cloudflare WAF
Cloudflare WAF (Web Application Firewall) is a security service that protects web applications from common threats like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and DDoS attacks by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between the internet and the application. It operates as a reverse proxy, inspecting incoming requests and blocking malicious traffic based on predefined rules and machine learning algorithms. The service is integrated into Cloudflare's global network, providing low-latency protection and scalability for websites and APIs.
Developers should use Cloudflare WAF when deploying web applications that require robust security against OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities, especially for high-traffic sites or those handling sensitive data like e-commerce or financial services. It's ideal for teams lacking dedicated security expertise, as it offers easy setup through Cloudflare's dashboard and automatic rule updates to counter emerging threats. The WAF also helps meet compliance requirements (e.g., PCI DSS) by providing logging and reporting features.