Real-world Insights — Why Customers are Moving from On-Premises WAFs to Cloud-Based WAFs

In today’s world, web applications are a critical component of business operations. However, they are also a prime target for cyber-attacks. To protect against these threats, many organizations have implemented web application firewalls (WAFs). While on-premises WAF solutions were once the go-to option, cloud-based WAFs have become increasingly popular.

In the following, we will explore why organizations are making the move from on-premises WAFs to cloud-based WAFs. Included are five quotes from customers who have made the switch. Below those, we’ve summarized all of the comments we received and broken them out by the benefits they now enjoy after making the switch to a cloud-based WAF.

We had experienced several incidents in the past that highlighted the need for stronger protection, including a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of sensitive customer data.“

With only having a next-gen firewall, we were blind to the amount of attacks and traffic going to our web servers.”

Our organization decided to adopt a cloud WAF solution in response to a growing number of security risks and compliance requirements.”

Having a number of serious DDoS events, bot attacks and malicious packets at application level, it was decided that the company needs a WAF solution.”

The rationale was to have a specialized platform that will protect our external resources while keeping a low InfoSec team headcount.”

The Many Benefits Customers Now Enjoy After Moving to a Cloud-Based WAF

Reduced Infrastructure Costs:

With a cloud-based WAF, the organization does not need to purchase and maintain their own hardware and software, which can be expensive. Instead, the organization can pay for the WAF as a service and use it on a pay-as-you-go basis. This can reduce infrastructure costs and make the organization more agile.

Increased Scalability:

Cloud-based WAFs can scale up or down based on the organization’s needs. This can be important for organizations with fluctuating traffic, seasonal demands or rapid growth. With an on-premises solution, the organization would need to purchase and install additional hardware to scale up.

Improved Accessibility:

With a cloud-based WAF, the organization can access the service from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be important for organizations with multiple locations or remote employees. An on-premises solution would require the organization to set up and maintain a secure connection to each location.

Greater Security:

Cloud-based WAFs are designed to be highly secure and provide advanced protection against web application attacks. Additionally, cloud-based WAFs are regularly updated with new threat intelligence and security patches. On-premises solutions may not be updated as frequently or have the same level of protection.

Easier Management:

Cloud-based WAFs are typically easier to manage than on-premises solutions. The organization does not need to manage their own hardware and software, and the WAF service provider is responsible for ensuring the service is available and up-to-date.

Faster Deployment:

Cloud-based WAFs can be deployed more quickly than on-premises solutions. The organization does not need to purchase and install hardware, which can be time-consuming. With a cloud-based WAF, the organization can start using the service immediately after signing up.

Improved Disaster Recovery:

With a cloud-based WAF, the organization’s web application traffic is protected, even in the event of a disaster, such as a natural disaster or cyber-attack. The organization’s data is stored in the cloud, which can be quickly and easily restored in the event of a disaster. With an on-premises solution, the organization would need to have a separate disaster recovery plan in place.

Regulatory Compliance:

Cloud-based WAFs can help organizations comply with industry regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR. Cloud-based WAFs typically have built-in compliance controls that help organizations meet regulatory requirements.

Monitor web traffic in real-time:

By moving to a cloud-based WAF, your organization gains the ability to see and monitor web traffic in real-time. This allows you to quickly detect and respond to security incidents and protect against a wide range of attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other common web application attacks. Additionally, cloud-based WAFs are designed to be highly secure and are regularly updated with new threat intelligence and security patches.

Keep Your Cloud Apps Safe With the Right Security Solution

Cloud migrations are due to a number of things, including mainframe modernization, shifts from CapEx to OpEx, cost savings with a pay-as-you-go model, and more. The reasons can now include enhanced levels of security. While security has been an ongoing argument against migrating to the cloud, there are many great security solutions that combat the argument. If you’d like to speak with a Radware cybersecurity professional, you can contact them HERE. They would love to hear from you.