The acronym 'WAF' stands for Web Application Firewall, a security tool designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing traffic to web applications. WAFs protect against various cyber threats, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other application-layer attacks. By analyzing HTTP requests and responses, WAFs can identify and block malicious traffic before it reaches the application. Implementing a WAF is crucial for enhancing the overall security posture of web applications, ensuring data integrity and availability. Additionally, WAFs can assist in compliance with regulations, further protecting sensitive information and user privacy.