A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a Layer 7 security solution that protects web applications and APIs by filtering, monitoring, and blocking HTTP/S traffic. It defends against top threats like SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), file inclusion, and bot attacks, acting as an intermediary between the user and the application. Key Features and Functions: Layer 7 Protection: Focuses on the application layer, allowing it to understand HTTP/S traffic, unlike traditional network firewalls that operate at lower layers. OWASP Top 10 Security: Specifically designed to mitigate common vulnerabilities identified by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), including SQL injection and XSS. Traffic Inspection: Inspects incoming requests and outgoing responses for malicious payloads before they reach the web server. Virtual Patching: Protects applications from known vulnerabilities, such as Log4j, by applying security rules before a vendor releases a formal patch. Bot Mitigatio...