What is the purpose of the "prevention" mode in WAF policy?

The purpose of the "prevention" mode in a Web Application Firewall (WAF) policy is to actively block unauthorized access and attacks. This mode is designed to provide a robust defense mechanism by not only detecting but also taking immediate action against threats. When the WAF is configured in prevention mode, it examines incoming web traffic and assesses it against predefined security rules. If the traffic matches any patterns associated with known attacks or suspicious behavior, the WAF automatically blocks that traffic before it reaches the web application.

This proactive approach helps safeguard applications from a variety of web-based threats, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious users. By implementing prevention measures at the WAF level, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches, ensure the availability of their applications, and comply with regulatory requirements for security.