AWS WAF: A Comprehensive Guide to Web Application Protection

AWS WAF is a crucial web application firewall service offered by AWS, safeguarding web applications from various online threats at layer 7. It analyzes and filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic based on rules defined within Web ACLs, offering actions like allow, block, count, and CAPTCHA. Key components include Web ACLs, rules (specifying inspection criteria), and rule groups (pre-configured or custom rule sets). Setting up AWS WAF involves configuring an AWS account, creating a Web ACL, and associating it with protected resources like CloudFront or Application Load Balancers. Best practices include strategic rule ordering, starting in count mode before blocking, and utilizing application integration SDKs for comprehensive security. Optimizing costs involves scope-down statements to limit rule group evaluation. Comprehensive logging, visualization, and security automations further enhance protection. Real-world examples demonstrate WAF implementations for e-commerce websites and API protection, showcasing layered defense strategies.