When it comes to securing your organization’s network and web applications, two common types of security measures are web application firewalls (WAFs) and network firewalls. Both of these technologies serve distinct purposes, and understanding their differences is essential to protect your organization’s digital assets.
What is a Firewall?
A network firewall is a security system designed to protect your organization’s network from unauthorized access. Network firewalls filter traffic based on predefined rules to determine whether to allow or deny traffic. Network firewalls work at the network level, meaning they can examine packets that flow between different devices on a network.
What is a WAF?
A WAF (Web Application Firewall), on the other hand, is a security system designed to protect web applications. Unlike network firewalls, which work at the network level, WAFs can operate at the application layer, meaning they examine HTTP traffic and can detect and prevent attacks that target web applications.
Differences Between WAFs and Network Firewalls
One of the primary differences between WAFs and network firewalls is their focus. Network firewalls focus on protecting the network, while WAFs focus on protecting web applications. Another difference is their location within your organization’s infrastructure. Network firewalls sit at the network perimeter, while WAFs are located within the application itself.
Another difference between the two is their level of protection. Network firewalls protect against attacks that target the network, while WAFs protect against attacks that target web applications. WAFs are specifically designed to detect and prevent attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting, which are common in web applications.
Benefits of Using a WAF
One of the primary benefits of using a WAF is that it can protect your web applications from attacks that target vulnerabilities within the application itself. WAFs can also provide detailed information about attacks, allowing you to identify and fix vulnerabilities within your web applications. Additionally, WAFs can provide protection against attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in third-party applications that interact with your web application.
Benefits of Using a Network Firewall
One of the primary benefits of using a network firewall is that it can protect your organization’s network from unauthorized access. Network firewalls can also provide protection against attacks that target network-level vulnerabilities. Another benefit of using a network firewall is that it can be used to filter traffic to specific devices, allowing you to restrict access to sensitive systems.
Which Should You Use: WAF or Firewall?
The decision of whether to use a WAF or a network firewall depends on your organization’s security needs. If you operate a web application, you should use a WAF to protect against attacks that target web applications. If your organization has a network that needs to be protected, you should use a network firewall to protect against attacks that target network-level vulnerabilities.
However, it’s important to note that using both a WAF and a network firewall can provide a comprehensive security solution. A WAF can provide additional protection for your web applications, while a network firewall can protect your organization’s network from unauthorized access.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both WAFs and network firewalls are essential components of a comprehensive security strategy. While network firewalls protect your network from unauthorized access, WAFs protect your web applications from attacks that target vulnerabilities within the application itself. Whether you should use a WAF, a network firewall, or both depends on your organization’s security needs. Regardless of which you choose, it’s important to ensure that your organization is protected against cyber threats.