Choosing Between NGFW and WAF for a Comprehensive Defense Strategy

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the optical communication market, the choice between Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a critical decision for professionals. Web Application Firewall specializes in defending web applications against specific online threats, while Next-Generation Firewall provides a comprehensive defense strategy, extending beyond web applications to secure entire networks. Professionals in the optical communication industry must carefully weigh deployment scenarios, performance considerations, and adaptability to emerging threats to make informed decisions that align with their network's specific needs.

Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)

NGFW enhances the security of computer networks by preventing unauthorized access and monitoring network traffic. They extend the functionalities of traditional firewalls by integrating antivirus, anti-malware, intrusion prevention, URL filtering, and application security features.

NGFW protects networks from unauthorized access by creating a secure zone isolated from a less secure zone. They manage communication between these zones by implementing configuration and access control policies. Operating as a comprehensive security solution, Next-Generation Firewall surpasses the capabilities of traditional firewalls, executing standard firewall tasks with increased capabilities and additional features. In contrast to traditional firewalls, which primarily function as initial security checkpoints based on data legitimacy, Next-Generation Firewall operates more akin to second-tier security agencies. They conduct thorough examinations of data, proactively identifying and countering potential threats hidden within seemingly ordinary network traffic.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

WAF safeguards applications and APIs, typically positioned in front of web-facing applications to detect and thwart various malicious attacks, with a primary focus on web application traffic (HTTP/S) within internet-facing zones of the network.

WAF is versatile in deployment, available as a cloud-based service or deployable as a hardware or virtual appliance in a hybrid topology. This hybrid configuration spans physical and software-defined data centers, as well as private or public cloud environments.

To determine whether traffic should proceed to an application or be blocked, Web Application Firewall uses multiple techniques, including behavioral algorithms like machine learning, and security models that cover both positive and negative security approaches.

Significantly, Web Application Firewall is transitioning from standalone tools into fully integrated Web Application and API Protection (WAAP) solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including API protection, bot management, application Layer 7 DDoS protection, web application security, and more.

When to Apply NGFW and WAF

The NGFW solutions offer comprehensive protection against both network and application-wide attacks, characterized by the following features:

• Multi-layer monitoring (OSI 3-4 and 7): NGFW can monitor multiple layers, granting them enhanced context and insight into the nature of an attack. This includes identifying the targeted application for each packet and implementing additional controls accordingly, positioning Next-Generation Firewall as effective primary firewalls.

• Incorporation of advanced tools and features: NGFW leverages sophisticated internal or external services to thwart attacks proactively. Notably, they can integrate threat intelligence data and dynamically adjust rules based on the latest updates, showcasing their adaptability and resilience.

• SSL traffic inspection: NGFW acts as SSL termination proxies, enabling them to inspect encrypted traffic—both incoming and outgoing—before reaching its destination. Further details on this capability can be found in a related article.

On the other hand, the utilization of WAF is recommended for the following reasons:

• Protection against application-layer-specific attacks: Web Application Firewall excels in safeguarding against threats targeting the application layer. By scrutinizing application-layer traffic, they effectively counteract common application-layer attacks such as SQL injection, XSS, DDoS, and others identified in the OWASP Top 10 list.

• Facilitating compliance adherence: Web Application Firewall plays a pivotal role in meeting compliance requirements. For instance, PCI DSS explicitly acknowledges the capability of WAF to fulfill option 2 of requirement 6, particularly when implemented alongside secure coding practices.

Now that the distinctions between NGFW and WAF are clear, it becomes crucial to explore how both can be employed synergistically to establish a comprehensive and robust defense solution.

How Do NGFW and WAF Work Together?

Considering that WAF is specifically designed for safeguarding web application traffic, it emerges as the optimal choice for securing web servers. However, Web Application Firewall alone does not constitute the ultimate solution for comprehensive security. Therefore, it is advisable to enhance their effectiveness by integrating them with Next-Generation Firewall.

An optimal and comprehensive defense strategy involves configuring a Web Application Firewall to guard against the OWASP Top 10 attacks while employing an NGFW in the capacity of a conventional network firewall. The NGFW is adept at detecting and preventing certain attacks before they reach the WAF. Leveraging advanced features such as IDS/IPS and threat modeling, Next-Generation Firewall can filter out a significant percentage of attacks, leaving the remaining threats for the WAF to address.

The Differences between NGFW and WAF

Firstly, their primary focuses differ substantially. NGFW primarily concentrates on safeguarding an organization's internal clients accessing various websites on the Internet. However, WAF is designed to shield the organization's web applications from potentially harmful traffic originating from the Internet.

Next-Generation Firewall aims to protect internal users from cyber threats like malware by monitoring and analyzing the traffic generated when users connect to the internet. Positioned in front of internal users, NGFW prevents unauthorized access to secure local-area networks, thereby reducing the risk of attacks. Its primary objective is to differentiate between secure and less secure zones, regulating communications between them.

In contrast, WAF is dedicated to preventing external harmful traffic often initiated by cybercriminals seeking to compromise applications with malicious intent, such as data theft, application defacement, Denial of Service, or unauthorized network access to internal databases. Positioned between external users and web applications, the Web Application Firewall analyzes all HTTP communication, identifying and blocking malicious requests. Consequently, a Web Application Firewall protects critical business web applications and servers from application-layer attacks.

Unlike NGFW, a WAF can undergo testing within CI/CD pipelines during or after application development. By displaying the application and its payload, a WAF ensures that everything aligns properly and functions as intended. This testing capability enhances the security posture of web applications, providing a proactive defense against potential threats.

The table below compares the features of NGFW and WAF in detail.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Next-Generation Firewall provides a broad defense strategy for entire networks, Web Application Firewall specialize in protecting web applications against specific threats. The optimal approach is to integrate both solutions, configuring a WAF to tackle OWASP Top 10 attacks and leveraging the advanced capabilities of NGFW, such as IDS/IPS and threat modeling, to filter out a significant percentage of attacks. This synergistic strategy ensures a comprehensive and resilient defense against a diverse range of threats in the rapidly evolving landscape of the optical communication market.