What is the primary function of a web application firewall (WAF)?

A web application firewall (WAF) primarily serves to protect web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between the web application and the internet. It is designed to detect and block malicious traffic, such as attacks that target web applications, including cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other common vulnerabilities outlined in the OWASP Top Ten.

By examining the HTTP requests and responses, a WAF can identify and mitigate threats before they reach the backend systems, effectively safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining application integrity. This proactive approach ensures that web applications can operate securely in an increasingly hostile online environment.

Other functionalities presented, such as encrypting user data or monitoring network devices, do not directly pertain to the specific purpose of a WAF. While encryption is crucial for protecting data in transit and at rest, it is typically handled by other security measures. Similarly, system backups, while essential for data recovery in case of loss, are separate from the primary role of a WAF, which focuses solely on web traffic analysis and protection.