What is the purpose of using a web application firewall (WAF) in cloud security?

The primary purpose of using a web application firewall (WAF) in cloud security is to protect web applications from common attacks. A WAF acts as a filter between the web application and the Internet, monitoring and filtering incoming HTTP/HTTPS traffic. It is specifically designed to defend against various web-based threats, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other exploits that target vulnerabilities in web applications.

By inspecting the data packets of requests coming to the web application, a WAF can identify and block potentially harmful traffic before it reaches the application layer, thereby enhancing the security posture of the web application and protecting sensitive data.

This focused defense mechanism ensures that web applications remain operational and secure, giving organizations a crucial layer of protection against emerging threats in the cloud environment.