How do Anti-DDoS and WAF integrate?

The integration of Anti-DDoS and Web Application Firewall (WAF) operates effectively through the model where WAF sits behind Anti-DDoS for handling layer 7 attacks. In this configuration, Anti-DDoS serves as an initial line of defense, primarily addressing volumetric attacks and preventing excessive traffic from reaching the web applications. This allows it to mitigate distributed denial of service (DDoS) threats that could overwhelm the network infrastructure.

Once the Anti-DDoS system has filtered out the malicious traffic, the remaining, potentially harmful requests that may target application-layer vulnerabilities can be processed by the WAF. This layered security approach ensures that not only are generic DDoS attacks mitigated, but specific application-level threats—such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting—are also managed effectively. The WAF thereby enhances the overall security posture by analyzing and making decisions based on specific patterns identified in the incoming traffic, which is particularly crucial for maintaining application availability and integrity.

The other approaches suggest alternate interactions that would not provide the same level of security efficacy as the layered model. Hence, the integration of WAF behind Anti-DDoS is a strategic method to create a more robust shield against both DDoS and web application attacks.