Network security is an issue that affects every company today – from small e-commerce shops to multinational corporations. There are many protective tools on the market, but one question often arises: what is the difference between a WAF (Web Application Firewall) and a traditional firewall, and when should you use each one?

Although both solutions are designed to protect IT systems, they operate on completely different levels and address different types of threats. In this article, we’ll show you the key differences, use cases, and how to choose the right solution for your organization’s needs.

What is a traditional firewall?

A firewall (network firewall) has long been the foundation of corporate network security. Its job is fairly straightforward: it controls network traffic at the level of IP addresses, ports, and protocols.

You can compare it to a nightclub bouncer – it checks who wants to come in and only lets in those who meet the criteria.

Key functions of a traditional firewall:

• blocking or allowing traffic based on rules,
• preventing unauthorized access to the network,
• filtering traffic at the IP and port level,
• segmenting the internal network.

Limitation: a firewall does not “understand” what is happening inside applications – it won’t detect, for example, attempts at SQL injection or attacks on login forms.

What is a WAF (Web Application Firewall)?

A WAF, or Web Application Firewall, is a solution designed specifically to protect websites and web applications. A WAF works at a higher level – not at the network level, but at the web application level. It analyzes and filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic – precisely the traffic that reaches your website, online store, or SaaS application.

You might say that a WAF is like a security guard inside an online store: not only letting people in, but also watching what they do – checking whether someone is trying to break into the cash register.

Key functions of a WAF:

• protection against web application attacks (SQL Injection, XSS, RCE),
• blocking login panel intrusion attempts,
• protection against automated bots and scans,
• additional shield against application-level DDoS attacks,
• real-time analysis of HTTP/HTTPS requests.

Advantage: a WAF understands application logic – it can detect attacks at the level of code and queries that a traditional firewall would never notice.

WAF vs. traditional firewall – key differences

When to use a traditional firewall?

A traditional firewall is the foundation of IT infrastructure and should be present in every company. It works best when you want to:

• secure access to your internal network,
• control traffic between different network segments,
• protect systems against unauthorized external access.

Example: an accounting office that wants to separate its accounting system from the rest of the network should have a properly configured firewall.

When to use a WAF?

A WAF is essential if your company provides web applications – from online stores and SaaS apps to customer service portals. It’s most useful when you want to protect against:

• attacks on login forms,
• attempts to steal customer data from a database,
• automated bots and crawlers,
• malicious scripts that could take control of your application.

Example: an online store should use a WAF to protect customer data and online payments.

WAF and firewall – together, not instead

It’s important to emphasize: a WAF does not replace a traditional firewall, and vice versa. You could say that a traditional firewall is a network shield, while a WAF is an application shield – each protects against a different type of threat. These tools complement each other:

• the firewall protects the entire network,
• the WAF protects web applications.

Only by combining both solutions can you achieve full protection – for both infrastructure and the applications your users interact with.

Summary

A traditional firewall is the foundation – it protects the network and servers. A WAF is the specialist – it protects web applications and customer data. In practice, most companies should use both – since each addresses a different set of threats.

If you’re unsure whether your company should implement a traditional firewall, a WAF, or both – contact Hawatel. We’ll help you choose and implement IT security architecture tailored to your real needs and budget.