What is the best practice for configuring a load balancer to enhance network security?

Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) alongside a load balancer is a best practice for enhancing network security. A WAF helps protect web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between web applications and the internet. By placing it in conjunction with a load balancer, it adds a critical layer of security that can mitigate various attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other common web-based threats.

The load balancer's primary function is to distribute network or application traffic across multiple servers, ensuring high availability and reliability. However, without additional security measures like a WAF, the application may still be exposed to specific vulnerabilities. Therefore, combining these two technologies not only improves performance through efficient traffic management but also strengthens the security posture of web applications by filtering out malicious requests before they reach the servers.

This combination leverages the benefits of both systems, safeguarding valuable data and ensuring that only legitimate traffic is processed, thereby enhancing the overall security framework of the network.