Interview: Strengthening cyber security in the German market

„Regardless of company size, cyber security remains of paramount importance. While larger companies may have more resources available for security initiatives, small businesses are just as vulnerable to cyber threats. The approach to implementing a WAF should therefore be tailored to the specific needs and capabilities of the respective company. Small businesses can benefit from simplified implementation options and cost-effective solutions, while larger companies may require more comprehensive and scalable WAF implementations to protect complex infrastructures.“

In the field of cyber security, the importance of implementing robust measures such as a WAF cannot be overstated. Regardless of company size, protecting digital assets from malicious cyber threats is a fundamental imperative. Although larger organisations typically have more resources to deploy for security measures, small businesses are equally vulnerable to cyberattacks. Consequently, the implementation of a WAF must be tailored to the individual requirements and operational capabilities of each company.

Small businesses, constrained by limited budgets and personnel, can benefit from the streamlined deployment options and cost-effective solutions offered by WAF technologies. These solutions are designed to provide essential protection against common cyber threats without representing an excessive financial burden. By using simplified deployment models and intuitive user interfaces, small businesses can quickly protect their web applications against a wide range of potential risks, thereby improving their overall cyber security posture.

Larger companies with complex infrastructures and an extensive digital footprint, on the other hand, require more sophisticated and scalable WAF implementations. In these environments, the WAF serves as a critical line of defence, protecting against a range of advanced cyber threats targeting diverse systems and applications. The scalability of WAF solutions enables seamless integration into various IT ecosystems that can cope with fluctuating traffic volumes and evolving security requirements. Furthermore, advanced features such as threat intelligence integration, behaviour-based anomaly detection and real-time monitoring enable large enterprises to proactively identify and contain emerging threats before they can cause damage.

„Previously, we relied on Cloudflare for our security measures. However, when we moved large parts of our infrastructure to OVHcloud, a leading European cloud provider, we looked for a solution that aligned better with European data protection regulations. Cloudflare, a non-European company headquartered in the USA, presented us with challenges in this regard. We identified OGO Security, a France-based company operating on OVHcloud, as a suitable alternative. Compliance with European law and specialisation in WAF made the company the ideal choice to ensure compliance and data sovereignty for our customers.“

As companies navigate the complex landscape of digital security, compliance with these strict standards is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders. Choosing a WAF provider that complies with European data protection regulations is of great importance. Failure to comply with these regulations not only exposes companies to legal obligations and financial penalties, but also jeopardises the privacy and security of customer data. Companies operating in the EU must therefore prioritise solutions from providers with a proven commitment to complying with regional data protection laws.

„Our collaboration with OGO Security began in 2024, coinciding with our strategic shift towards improving cyber security measures.

I came across OGO Security while exploring the OVH Club Marketplace. This marketplace serves as a collaboration platform operated by both our shared hosting provider OVH and OGO Security. The overarching goal of this initiative is to promote synergies between customers and products within a unified ecosystem. By consolidating services on a single platform, OVH and OGO aim to improve accessibility and compatibility, thereby optimising overall performance. The user-friendly interface of the marketplace made it easy for me to search for specific solutions and led me to the WAFs, where I discovered OGO's offering“.

„My trust in OGO Security is based on their innovative approach to cyber security, which uses AI-driven solutions to effectively detect and mitigate threats. Their thorough testing methods, such as scanning web applications against industry standards like OWASP Top 10, have demonstrated robust security capabilities. Furthermore, proactive response mechanisms, such as behaviour-based blocking, have reinforced confidence in their ability to protect our infrastructure and data.

When evaluating Cloudflare's security approach, we identified differences in how requests are handled compared to OGO Security. Cloudflare tends to focus on blocking individual requests, while OGO takes a more holistic approach by aggregating requests and analysing user behaviour to identify and combat potential threats more effectively. This difference highlights OGO's focus on proactive threat defence and user-centric security measures, which closely align with our priorities and objectives.

Pricing was also an important factor in our decision-making process. Cloudflare works with a fixed pricing model, where users can start with a free plan but experience significant price jumps when they increase their performance or require advanced features. In contrast, OGO Security offers a more flexible and demand-based pricing structure with scalable pricing based on traffic. As traffic requirements increase, they can scale up accordingly, with pricing adjustments reflecting growth. This approach ensures cost transparency and scalability, aligning well with the evolving needs of our customers.

The importance of choosing a high-quality provider for a Web Application Firewall (WAF) solution for cybersecurity is undisputed. A reputable provider not only offers advanced security features but also demonstrates its commitment to compliance with relevant data protection regulations, particularly within the European Union.

OGO Security embodies the attributes of a trustworthy WAF provider and earns trust through its innovative cybersecurity approach. By deploying AI-driven solutions, OGO Security uses sophisticated techniques for threat detection and defence to protect effectively against evolving cyber threats. The methodology includes comprehensive scans of web applications aligned with industry standards such as the OWASP Top 10, ensuring reliable security measures are in place.

In contrast to Cloudflare's approach, OGO Security pursues a more holistic strategy for threat management. While Cloudflare focuses primarily on blocking individual requests, OGO Security takes a broader view by aggregating requests and analysing user behaviour to proactively identify potential threats. This user-centric approach enables OGO Security to detect and combat threats more effectively, closely aligning it with the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the needs of businesses."

„The decision to switch from Cloudflare to OGO Security arose from our growing need for European-compliant security solutions. The availability of OGO Security on the OVH Cloud Marketplace offered a timely opportunity to align our security measures with European regulations. Furthermore, OGO's specialisation in WAF and its innovative approach to threat detection and response convinced us of the company's suitability for our requirements.

As a leading provider of cybersecurity services, Cloudflare holds a prominent position in the market. However, OGO Security stands out for its specialisation, particularly in web application security. While Cloudflare offers a broad portfolio of services, including CDN, bot management or image scaling, OGO stands out for its focused expertise in WAF as the preferred choice for businesses prioritising application security. Furthermore, OGO's European base and alignment with data protection regulations correspond to our vision of ensuring compliance and data sovereignty for our customers.“

„OGO Security is an example of European excellence in cybersecurity, offering robust solutions tailored to the specific needs of businesses and their customers.“