In this scenario, the organization should consider implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) along with a load balancer. This combination will not only help manage the increased web traffic but also provide essential protection against malicious activities.
Here’s a breakdown of the solution:
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Load Balancer:
- Distributes incoming web traffic across multiple servers, ensuring that no single server is overwhelmed and improving the overall performance and reliability of the online services.
- It enhances redundancy, enabling the organization to continue operating smoothly even if one of the servers fails.
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Web Application Firewall (WAF):
- Protects web applications from various types of attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other common threats.
- It works by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between a web application and the internet, allowing legitimate traffic and blocking potentially harmful requests.
- A WAF can also help with mitigations against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which may be a concern given the increase in malicious traffic.
Additional Considerations:
- DDoS Protection Service: Depending on the threat level of malicious traffic, the organization might also consider incorporating a dedicated DDoS protection service that can absorb and mitigate large-scale attacks.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN): Utilizing a CDN can further enhance performance and security by caching content closer to users and providing additional layers of protection against attacks.
By implementing both a load balancer and a WAF, the non-profit organization can effectively handle increased legitimate traffic while protecting against malicious activities, ensuring smoother and safer online services for its users.