---
title: "Web Application Firewall: Layer 7 Protection"
description: "A managed WAF that inspects Layer 7 traffic in real time, intercepting application attacks while letting legitimate requests through, with a Dual WAF for safe rule changes."
canonical_url: https://optimi.com/en/security/waf
md_url: https://optimi.com/en/security/waf.md
last_updated: 2026-09-04
---

# Web Application Firewall

Secure, smart and real time: scalable Layer 7 protection with audit and live modes and continuous threat detection.

When attackers find your origin infrastructure and probe it directly, they are trying
to slip past your security layers. Our **WAF** inspects every request, intercepts the
threat, and scrubs the traffic so only authorised requests get through, keeping your
websites and apps live without punishing real users.

*Every Layer 7 request is inspected at the edge, malicious payloads are blocked before they reach your origin.*

- Legitimate users (Real requests)
- Attackers (Injection, exploits)
- Optimi WAF
- Clean traffic (App stays live)
- Threats blocked (Layer 7 attacks stopped)

## Secure, smart and real time

- **Always Protected** — Continuous analysis of rule changes against production traffic, using pre-tested, approved configurations. With Dual WAF you are always protected, even while tuning.
- **Smart Control** — Run alert mode in parallel with production. Our team works with you on a security strategy matched to your needs and current threats: fast to set up, with multiple configurations.
- **Financial Risk** — Users trust you with their personal data. Aggressive captchas and misconfigured tools hurt experience, so the right strategy protects both performance and revenue.

> **Tune safely with Dual WAF**
>
> Test rule changes against real production traffic in alert mode before enforcing
>   them, improving your security posture without risking false positives on live users.

## Main features

- **Real-time traffic analysis** — Every request inspected as it arrives.
- **Global Anycast network** — Protection delivered from a worldwide footprint.
- **Granular policy control** — Precise rules tailored to your application.
- **Fast configuration updates** — Push policy changes across the edge in seconds.
- **API programmability** — Manage and automate the WAF via API.
- **Comprehensive rule sets** — Broad coverage against common Layer 7 threats.

## Related guides
- [web-security](/en/guides/tags/web-security)

[Get in touch](/en/contact): Need real-time WAF protection? — Talk to our team about a managed WAF strategy that secures Layer 7 without hurting user experience.