Web Application Firewall
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security tool that monitors, filters, and blocks HTTP/HTTPS traffic to and from web applications. It protects against common web-based attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and DDoS attacks by analyzing application-layer data. WAFs can be deployed as hardware appliances, software solutions, or cloud-based services to enforce security policies and compliance standards.
Developers should learn and use WAFs when building or maintaining web applications that handle sensitive data, such as e-commerce sites, banking platforms, or healthcare portals, to mitigate security vulnerabilities and meet regulatory requirements like PCI DSS. It is essential for protecting against OWASP Top 10 threats and reducing the risk of data breaches, especially in production environments where traditional firewalls are insufficient for application-layer defense.