WAF setup

WAF setup is a project: we connect a WAF (cloud, e.g. Cloudflare, or server-side ModSecurity), enable base rule sets (OWASP CRS), configure rules for your stack, modes (block/challenge/log), exclusions for legitimate traffic, basic bot protection and protection against common attacks (injections, XSS patterns, scanners). Honestly about the effect and limits, this is key: a WAF is an important protection layer: it cuts off mass automated attacks, scanners and typical exploits, substantially reducing risk; but it does NOT make the site 'invulnerable' and does NOT fix the vulnerabilities themselves — it is a filter in front of the application, while a code hole must be fixed separately (a targeted attack can bypass a WAF). A WAF is part of defense-in-depth, not the only protection. Honestly about false positives: WAF rules are a balance; too strict block legitimate users/features, too lax let through; setup and tuning for your traffic are needed (see a separate tuning service). Honestly about cost: a cloud WAF is a third-party service with its own plans (Cloudflare has a free base one, advanced is paid, directly), billed separately. Honestly about access: access to DNS/server is needed. Honestly about maintenance: threats change — rules need upkeep. An important boundary: this is WAF setup, not fine rule tuning as separate deep work (766), not DDoS protection (738 — adjacent) and not code audit/fixing. Picture this: instead of 'any scanner and bot hammers your application directly' — a filter cutting off mass malicious traffic. The base price starts from 18,000 ₽ per project; it depends on the WAF and rule complexity (the service plan — separate).

• The site is open to scanners, bots and typical attacks directly.
• There is no malicious-request filter in front of the application.
• Known attack patterns (injections, XSS) are not cut off.
• The WAF is not set up or is 'as is', without rules for the site.

• Connecting the WAF (cloud/ModSecurity)
• Base rule sets (OWASP CRS)
• Rules for your stack and modes (block/challenge/log)
• Exclusions for legitimate traffic
• Basic bot and common-attack protection
• Checking for false positives
• Indicating boundaries (WAF ≠ fixing vulnerabilities)
• Handover and review with you

• Mass automated attacks are cut off
• Reduced risk of exploiting typical vulnerabilities
• A filter in front of the application (defense-in-depth)
• Less malicious traffic (invulnerability — not guaranteed)

• We clarify the stack, traffic, WAF; collect DNS/server access
• We connect the WAF, enable rules, set up exclusions
• We check false positives, review with you

• Will a WAF make the site invulnerable?

  No. A WAF substantially reduces risk and cuts off mass attacks/scanners, but does not make the site invulnerable or fix the vulnerabilities themselves — it is a filter in front of the application, a code hole must be fixed separately, and a targeted attack can bypass a WAF. It is part of protection, not the only one.

• Won't a WAF block real users?

  It can, if rules are too strict — it is a balance. Too lax let attacks through, too strict block the legitimate. So we configure for your traffic and check false positives; fine tuning is a separate service.

• Is the WAF plan included in the price?

  No. A cloud WAF is a third-party service: there is a free base one (Cloudflare), advanced features are paid, directly to the service, separate from our setup. ModSecurity is free but needs a server and upkeep.