Global Web Application Firewall Market 2024-2031

Global Web Application Firewall Market 2024-2031

Web Application Firewall Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Component (Solution and Services), by Service (Professional services and Managed services) by Organization Size (Large Enterprises, and Small & Medium Enterprises), and by End-User (BFSI, Healthcare, IT and Telecom, Manufacturing, Government and Public Sector, and Retail and E-Commerce), Forecast Period (2024-2031).

Web application firewall market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 16.7% during the forecast period (2024-2031). Web application firewall refers to a hardware or software solution created to regulate and keep track of network traffic on web-enabled applications. Web-enabled applications' network traffic is tracked by a web application firewall (WAF). It aids in data packet blocking and creates a secure barrier between the computer and the outside world. It aids in avoiding malware attacks, impersonations, and unapproved cyber vulnerabilities.

Market Dynamics

Growing Occurrence of Cyberattacks

The rising concerns regarding data privacy and cyber threats are primarily driving the growth of the market. Additionally, the escalating cases of data breaches are also augmenting the need for solutions and software that facilitate high-end data privacy. According to a report published by Forbes, in 2023 alone, more than 353.0 million people were impacted by data breaches. In response to this, the government authorities of various nations are taking initiatives and imposing regulations regarding cyber security to reduce the incidence of data breaches. Additionally, with the implementation of regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), organizations are required to have robust data management practices in place. For instance, in 2023, violations of GDPR cost companies, including Meta, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), over $3.0 Billion.

Surge in IoT Penetration

Globally, an increasing number of companies are adopting technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) as the globe grows more interconnected. Increased awareness and protection of web applications and networks are becoming increasingly important. The internet connects many gadgets, including printers, mobile phones, and televisions. To streamline procedures, businesses are integrating linked devices into their operations more and more. But many cyber threats and vulnerabilities also accompany the growth of gadgets and related apps. Most IoT technology and development businesses support and use advanced security solutions like WAFs, runtime application self-protection, and next-generation firewalls to protect company infrastructure to combat these issues. This spike in security requirements is driving the market's increasing need for WAFs.

Market Segmentation

Our in-depth analysis of the global web application firewall market includes the following segments by component, service, organization size, and end-user:

Based on components, the market is segmented into solutions and services.

Based on service, the market is segmented into professional services and managed services.

Based on organization size, the market is segmented into large enterprises and small and medium enterprises.

Based on end-users, the market is segmented into BFSI, healthcare, IT and telecom, manufacturing, government, and public sector, and retail and E-commerce.

Large Enterprises is Projected to Emerge as the Largest Segment

The large enterprises segment is expected to hold the largest share of the market. The network and WAF security are required for the implementation of overall security for IT assets. The necessity to protect data and growing public awareness of security incidents drive market expansion among large corporations. The acceptance of WAF firewalls among large companies is boosted by crucial elements, including the availability of sandboxing technologies, simplicity in implementation, and enhanced detection capabilities. The increasing adoption of cloud-based computing technologies is expected to drive the market over the coming years during the forecast period. This cloud-based WAF is a security solution that filters, monitors, and blocks malicious traffic targeting web applications. It protects from attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and malware. Cloud-based WAFs are easy to deploy and offer real-time visibility into attacks. They are available in both managed and unmanaged versions.

Regional Outlook

The global web application firewall market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).

Asia-Pacific to Register Highest CAGR During Forecasted Period

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth at a CAGR through the forecast period. As there is an increase in modernization and urbanization, there has been an increase in the network infrastructure. Therefore, advanced and sophisticated threats are hard to detect. According to the 2018 BSA Global Software Survey, 8 out of 10 computers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) run on non-genuine software and are thus prone to rising cyber-attacks. Hence, there is an emerging growth in the web application firewall market through the forecast period.

North America Holds Major Market Share

Among all the regions, North America holds a significant share as it is the leader in the global web application firewall market share, in terms of technological advancements and adoption. It possesses well-equipped infrastructure and the ability to afford web application firewall solutions. Furthermore, a rise in investments in the defense sector, along with technological advancements in the telecommunication industry, is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Government regulations regarding data security drive the web application firewall (WAF) market. Services such as security information and cloud applications are expected to drive the market. In addition, the presence of industry leaders such as Imperva, F5, Akamai, Citrix, barracuda, and Fortinet, and diversified product offerings further fuel the market in this region. Furthermore, growth associated with artificial intelligence and web application adoption is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players. In addition, the introduction of new industry players further supports the market growth during the forecast period.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies serving the global web application firewall market include Akamai Technologies, Barracuda Networks, Inc., Cloudflare, Inc., and Qualys, Inc., among others. The market players are increasingly focusing on business expansion and product development by applying strategies such as collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay competitive in the market. For instance, in April 2024, F5 announced new, best-in-class security offerings that strengthen protections and simplify management for customers. With the launches of F5 Distributed Cloud Services Web Application Scanning, BIG-IP Next Web Application Firewall (WAF), and NGINX App Protect for open-source deployments, F5 is extending its leadership with the industry's most effective and most comprehensive AI-ready app and API security suite.