Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

A recent blog from a leading security vendor highlights what most security teams already know: attackers don’t need zero days to win. They exploit known vulnerabilities— “N-days”—because they know how hard it is for organizations to keep up with patching. The irony? That same vendor, like many others, ships and supports a vast portfolio of products—each with its own CVEs, patches, and advisories.

Whether they use custom implants for persistence, zero days for initial access, or live off the land (LOTL) to avoid detection, finding a state-sponsored adversary group can be a challenging proposition for defenders. This can be particularly true for adversaries that are sponsored by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Historically, their focus has been on espionage and intellectual property theft.

Are you relying on free WAFs to keep your business safe? While they might seem like an easy, budget-friendly option, can they really protect you from sophisticated cyber threats like SQL injections, XSS, and bot attacks? Or are you missing critical layers of defense as your business scales? In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and more, comparing free and paid WAFs to help you understand the risks, features, and real-world implications of each.