If you have a website, it is essential to keep it secure - especially if that is your online business.

However, with the increase in complexity of cybersecurity threats and a rise in the number of attacks, special security measures might be needed to ensure the integrity and uptime of your site.

One of the measures which is easy to implement and beneficial is a cloud-based Web Application Firewall (WAF). Here, we will have a quick overview of what a WAF is and look at some of the best options out there.

What Is a Web Application Firewall?

A WAF is a barrier between your website and internet traffic, which monitors and filters the HTTP requests.

It blocks all the malicious requests, presents a challenge to suspicious requests, and allows visitors to safely access your website.

You may find distinct types of WAF that include network-based and host-based. However, here we will be focusing on cloud-based WAFs because they are easy to deploy, don't depend on your server resources, and often a managed service.

How Does a WAF Protect Your Website?

A WAF protects your website against known attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and unknown zero-day exploits.

To detect new and emerging threats, a cloud-based WAF utilizes machine learning to detect abnormal patterns and block suspicious requests.

It also gives you the ability to protect your site against DDoS attacks.

Not just limited to that, your website also gets a potential performance boost thanks to its integrated content delivery network (CDN).

It is worth noting that a WAF is not an all-in-one solution to protect your website. You still need server-side security tools and to ensure that your application is patched up regularly.

Things to Look for When Choosing a Cloud-Based WAF

Most WAF services offer more or less the same features. However, depending on your requirements, you might want to consider a few factors before deploying a WAF:

  • Block zero-day attacks
  • Ability to defend against layer 7 DDoS attacks
  • Integrated CDN
  • Hack cleanup service (if affected)
  • SSL support
  • Notification alerts
  • Customer service

It is also worth checking the total set of features available for upgrade and compare the pricing in case you need to scale up in the future.

Web Application Firewall Services to Secure Your Site

We have selected the most popular services that have a good track record in blocking threats and helping websites to stay safe from attacks.

1. Sucuri

sucuri waf

Sucuri specializes in providing security services to web portals. It offers WAF protection, monitoring service, CDN, and can also help you remove malware from a compromised website.

It even offers a free SiteCheck tool to detect potential security issues that you can fix even without opting for their service. This gives you a basic idea of what you were missing out on and how a WAF can help you.

The pricing plan starts at $199/year and increases as you choose more features.

Highlights:

  • Website monitoring
  • Virtual patching
  • Integrated CDN
  • Zero-day exploit protection
  • Hack cleanup
  • SSL support

2. Cloudflare

cloudflare waf

Cloudflare is an incredibly popular choice because it offers a basic level of protection for free.

If you are just starting a new website and do not have a budget for WAF, you can set up Cloudflare. You also get an integrated CDN with servers across the globe for free. However, you will need to opt for a premium subscription if you need WAF protection, unmetered DDoS protection, alerts, customer support, and several other features.

The subscription for Cloudflare WAF starts at $20/month and scales up.

Highlights:

  • Free CDN without premium subscription
  • DDoS alerts
  • Performance optimization features to improve load time
  • SSL support

Related: What Is a DDOS Attack and How Can It Crash a Website or Game?

3. AWS

aws services

If you are already using AWS services for your website, AWS WAF is a solution that you can easily deploy and maintain.

AWS services offer a learning curve if you are new to managing websites and do not have any AWS configurations. However, it can be a cost-effective option eventually.

Unlike some other options here, it is billed as per your usage, and you can also find a price calculator before trying.

Highlights:

  • Traffic alerts
  • Scalable and cost-effective for websites with huge traffic
  • Highly scalable
  • SSL support

4. Akamai

akamai waf

Akamai is an enterprise-focused offering with an integrated CDN and DDoS protection.

It may not be a workable option for small-medium online businesses, but it offers free trials. Not just limited to security services, it provides several technical services that you can choose to explore.

Akamai do not disclose a pricing plan — so you need to contact them as per your requirements.

Highlights:

  • Enterprise-focused
  • DDoS protection
  • CDN
  • SSL support
  • Zero-day exploit protection
  • Highly scalable

5. SiteLock

sitelock waf

SiteLock is popularly known as a malware scanner and a backup solution for websites. But it also offers a WAF. It is a cheaper alternative to some cloud-based WAFs.

It features essential protection measures against common application security risks. Unfortunately, it does not include DDoS protection with its WAF but offers it as an added service.

It also provides an automated malware removal service along with an integrated CDN.

The basic WAF protection costs $9.99/month and goes up with more features.

Highlights:

  • Protection against common application security risks
  • Automatic malware removal
  • SSL support
  • CDN

6. Azure

azure waf

Azure WAF is a similar offering to AWS where you pay as you go. It offers protection from DDoS attacks, common threats, site monitoring, and provides an integrated CDN.

It is easy to set up, but you will find detailed documentation if needed.

Highlights:

  • DDoS protection
  • Monitors your site
  • Integrated CDN
  • Highly scalable
  • SSL support

7. StackPath

stackpatch waf

StackPath is yet another enterprise-focused WAF that protects against both common and sophisticated cyberattacks.

You get DDoS protection and the ability to use an integrated CDN as well.

They do not mention a pricing plan — so you have to contact them to know about it as per your requirements.

Highlights:

  • DDoS protection
  • CDN
  • SSL support

8. Imperva

imperva waf

Imperva is an enterprise-focused cybersecurity company that also provides a WAF.

You get DDoS protection, reporting features, and security against common application threats. Also, it can be deployed in AWS and Azure if you rely on their services but want a different WAF protection.

If you were looking for a solution with the fastest CDN, Imperva may not be the one for you.

They do not mention a pricing plan, but you get a free trial offer if you want to test it out before deploying.

Highlights:

  • DDoS protection
  • Protection against common application security threats
  • Fit for cloud applications, containers, and virtual machines

Do You Need Web Application Firewall Services?

Considering the risks of cybersecurity threats, deploying a WAF reduces the chances of your website being compromised.

If you are just starting with a simple blog, you may not need to invest in a WAF on top of server hosting costs. But, if it is a mission-critical website or your online business, having a WAF protection service can give you peace of mind.