How to Differentiate Web Application Firewall vs Firewall

Reading time: 4 minutes.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, understanding the various types of security measures is crucial for protecting digital assets. Two critical components in this realm are the traditional firewall and the web application firewall (WAF). While they share the common goal of safeguarding network security, they operate in fundamentally different ways and serve unique purposes. This article aims to demystify the differences between web application firewall vs firewall and highlight the roles each plays in a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

What is a Firewall?

A traditional firewall serves as a security gatekeeper between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, typically the internet. Its primary function is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization’s predefined security policies. At its core, a firewall examines data packets and makes decisions about allowing or blocking them based on source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and the protocols used, such as TCP or UDP.

Firewalls can be hardware-based, software-based, or a combination of both. They are often part of a broader network security system that might include intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).

Types of Firewalls

1. Packet-Filtering Firewalls: The most basic type, which filters traffic based on the header information in packets.
2. Stateful Inspection Firewalls: More advanced than packet filters, these track the state of active connections and make decisions based on the context of traffic.
3. Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs): These combine the features of traditional firewalls with additional functionalities like encrypted traffic inspection, intrusion prevention systems, and identity-based filtering.

What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

A Web Application Firewall is a specific type of firewall designed to protect web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between a web application and the Internet. It applies a set of rules to an HTTP conversation to cover common attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection. WAFs are particularly adept at understanding and protecting web application logic, which traditional firewalls can’t do.

Unlike traditional firewalls that protect the flow of data to and from the network, WAFs protect from application layer attacks by inspecting the content of each HTTP request and response, looking for, and blocking, malicious traffic.

Types of WAFs

1. Network-based WAFs: Usually hardware-based and reduce latency because they are installed locally.
2. Host-based WAFs: Integrated into the software of an application and offer more customization options.
3. Cloud-based WAFs: Offer a cost-effective and easy-to-implement solution with minimal upfront investment.

Differences Between Web Application Firewall vs Firewall

1. Layer of Protection:

• Traditional firewalls operate at the network level (OSI layers 3 and 4) and are concerned with IPs, ports, and protocols.
• WAFs operate at the application layer (OSI layer 7) and focus on the content of the web traffic (HTTP/HTTPS).

2. Protection Focus:

• Traditional firewalls are designed to safeguard the perimeter of the network.
• WAFs are specifically designed to protect web applications from targeted attacks like XSS, SQL injection, and cookie poisoning.

3. Traffic Inspection:

• Traditional firewalls inspect packet headers.
• WAFs inspect the payload of the packets (the actual data), which is critical in identifying application-level attacks.

4. Deployment:

• Traditional firewalls are typically deployed at the network’s edge.
• WAFs are deployed in front of a specific web application or a set of web applications.

5. Rules and Policies:

• Traditional firewalls use basic rules related to IP addresses, ports, and protocols.
• WAFs use complex rulesets to identify application-specific attacks and can implement custom rules tailored to the application’s logic.

Similarities Between Web Application Firewall vs Firewall

Despite their differences, WAFs and traditional firewalls share some similarities:

1. Security Objective: Both aim to protect IT assets from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
2. Policy Enforcement: Both enforce security policies to control traffic.
3. Monitoring and Logging: Both provide monitoring and logging capabilities for traffic analysis and security auditing.
4. Compliance: Both can help organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements by providing necessary security controls.

Complementary Nature of WAFs and Traditional Firewalls

In an effective cybersecurity strategy, WAFs and traditional firewalls complement each other:

1. Layered Security: While traditional firewalls form the first line of defense at the network perimeter, WAFs provide a specialized protective layer for web applications.
2. Comprehensive Coverage: Using both allows organizations to protect both their network and their applications, covering a wider range of potential security threats.
3. Diverse Threat Mitigation: Traditional firewalls are effective against generic threats

, while WAFs are specifically tailored to combat sophisticated application-level attacks.

Choosing Between Web Application Firewall vs Firewall

In reality, it’s not about choosing one over the other but understanding how each fits into an overall security posture:

1. Assess Needs: Assess the specific needs of your network and applications. If you have web applications, a WAF is essential.
2. Understand Your Environment: Consider the types of data you handle and the potential threats you face.
3. Budget and Resources: Evaluate your budget and resources for implementing and managing these tools.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences and similarities between web application firewall vs firewall is fundamental in developing a robust cybersecurity strategy. Each plays a critical role in safeguarding digital assets against an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape. By deploying both traditional firewalls and WAFs, organizations can ensure comprehensive protection for both their network infrastructure and their web applications, addressing a broad spectrum of cybersecurity challenges. As cyber threats continue to evolve, so too must our approaches to cybersecurity, with WAFs and traditional firewalls being key components in this ongoing battle.