In the digital age, web applications are central to retail operations. As retailers increasingly depend on cloud SaaS platforms for various web applications, robust SaaS security measures are crucial. One effective measure is the adoption of Web Application Firewalls, also known as WAFs.
What is a WAF?
A WAF protects web applications by filtering and monitoring incoming HTTP traffic. It typically shields applications from attacks like Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), remote file inclusion, and SQL injection. However, a WAF should be part of a broader, multi-layered security strategy, not a standalone solution.
How a WAF Improves Cloud and SaaS Security ? A WAF uses layered defenses to filter out malicious traffic, thereby enhancing cloud security for web applications.
Protection Against Common Web Attacks
Web application firewalls are built to guard against common threats like those mentioned above. Successful attacks can lead to data breaches, application downtime, or even complete system takeover. By inspecting incoming traffic for malicious patterns, a WAF helps prevent these attacks from reaching your application.
Compliance with Data Security Regulations
A WAF helps retailers complying with data security standards like PCI DSS, which mandates a firewall to protect cardholder data. Implementing a WAF not only boosts security but also ensures regulatory compliance.
Zero Day Vulnerability Prevention
Cybercriminals often exploit unknown (zero-day) vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access. WAFs protect against these threats, adding an extra layer of security against ever-evolving cyber risks.
Blocking Bot Traffic
Bot traffic is a common problem for retail websites, leading DoS attacks, distorted analytics, and higher infrastructure costs. A WAF can differentiate between legitimate human traffic and bots, blocking harmful or unwanted bots.
Data Leak Prevention
A WAF helps prevent data leaks by masking sensitive information like credit card or social security numbers. In the event of a breach, this ensures that disclosed data is unusable to attackers.
API Security
APIs are crucial in today’s retail ecosystem for facilitating integrations and offering seamless customer experiences. However, APIs also provide new attack vectors for cybercriminals. A WAF can protect APIs from threats and attacks, ensuring their integrity and security.
The Orisha Commerce WAF
Orisha Commerce offers a WAF as a premium subscription extension for your Cloud customers. The Orisha Commerce WAF uses advanced technology from Cloudflare, a market leader in Web Application and API Protection (WAAP).
The deployment of the Orisha Commerce WAF is gradual and controlled to ensure optimized protection and to block only malicious traffic. Key features of the Orisha Commerce WAF include:
- Managed rules provide advanced protection against zero-day vulnerabilities.
- OWASP core rules block well-known "Top 10" attack techniques.
- Custom rule sets offer tailored protections to block any threat.
- Advanced DDoS: IP address ranges and priority routing to ensure maximum mitigation speed and availability.
- Exposed credential checks monitor and block the use of stolen/exposed credentials for account hacking.
- Sensitive data detection alerts you to responses containing sensitive data.
- Advanced rate limiting prevents abuse, DDoS, and brute force attempts, along with API-centric controls.
- Flexible response options allowing for blocking, logging, rate limiting, or challenging.
Thinking of migrating your traditional on-site system to a new cloud-based unified commerce platform but worried about security? Contact us today and learn how Orisha Commerce can offer peace of mind with our managed cloud services and tools like Orisha Commerce WAF.
