[Penta Inside] WAPPLES Celebrates 20th Anniversary
On April 25, 2025, Penta Security’s intelligent WAAP solution, WAPPLES, celebrated its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we take a brief look back at the journey WAPPLES has taken over the past two decades. Discover how WAPPLES continues to lead the web security market both in Korea and abroad—setting the standard for modern web protection.
Korea’s First Intelligent Web Firewall, WAPPLES, Launched in 2005
As the web connects everything, cyber threats exploiting it have also grown rapidly. In response, Penta Security launched WAPPLES in 2005—Korea’s first intelligent web firewall designed to create a secure web environment.
Unlike traditional network firewalls, web application firewalls (WAFs) are specifically developed to protect web applications. Their primary role is to detect and block attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). In addition to guarding against direct attacks, WAFs help prevent data breaches, unauthorized logins, and website tampering. In other words, WAFs like WAPPLES act as a protective fence—shielding a web application’s “home” from external threats and internal risks alike.
WAPPLES stands apart from conventional, pattern-based firewalls by using COCEP, its proprietary logic-based detection engine, to analyze attack behavior. This approach enables intelligent threat detection with high accuracy and low false positives, even for previously unknown or unstructured attacks.
Just two years after launch, WAPPLES secured its first overseas customer in 2007. By 2008, the number of deployments had surpassed 500, drawing significant attention both domestically and internationally.
2008: Launch of WAPPLES Control Center
As the number of WAPPLES deployments grew both domestically and internationally, the need emerged for a centralized system to efficiently manage multiple WAPPLES instances across diverse network environments. In response, Penta Security launched the WAPPLES Control Center in 2008—an integrated policy management system that enables remote control of multiple WAPPLES units through a single console.
When managing WAPPLES becomes complex due to varying configurations, the Control Center simplifies operations by providing centralized monitoring and streamlined management. With this solution, WAPPLES can now ensure secure web protection across a broader range of environments—without limitations.
2011: Launch of WAPPLES SA / 2013: Expansion into Japan’s Cloud Market
In 2011, Penta Security introduced WAPPLES SA, the cloud-based version of its web application firewall. Unlike the traditional hardware appliance, WAPPLES SA is delivered as a virtual image, offering the same robust detection and blocking capabilities as the original WAPPLES—with only the delivery model changed. At a time when many organizations were hesitant to store sensitive data in the cloud, Penta Security addressed these concerns by offering the same high-level protection in a cloud environment, accessible through a simplified purchase and deployment process.
In 2013, Penta Security began offering its cloud-based web firewall services in Japan. Although Japan had a cloud adoption rate more than 30% higher than Korea at the time, its cloud security market was still in its infancy. Building on its local presence since establishing a Japanese branch in 2009, Penta Security leveraged market research and localization efforts to successfully enter the Japanese market with WAPPLES SA.
That same year, WAPPLES was honored with two major awards: a commendation from Korea’s Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning as part of the Korea IT Innovation Grand Prize, and the Web Application Firewall of the Year Award from global research firm Frost & Sullivan.
2015: WAPPLES Ranked No. 1 in Asia-Pacific Market Share
In 2015, marking the 10th anniversary of its launch, WAPPLES ranked No. 1 in the Asia-Pacific web security market according to the Frost IQ: Asia-Pacific Web Security Vendor 2015 Report by global research firm Frost & Sullivan. The report highlighted WAPPLES’ market dominance, attributing it to the outstanding performance of its logic-based detection engine and Penta Security’s consistent investment in customer engagement—such as partner seminars and training programs.
Building on its strong foundation in Korea, Penta Security expanded rapidly across Asia by forming regional partnerships and adapting its business operations to local market needs, particularly in Japan and Southeast Asia. By offering a flexible product lineup—including appliance, cloud, and virtualized versions—along with centralized management tools, WAPPLES has been able to deliver tailored solutions to meet diverse customer requirements. This adaptability has played a key role in securing a leading position across the Asia-Pacific region.
Penta Security’s leadership in the web security market was further recognized in 2016, when it received the Best Security Company award at Frost & Sullivan’s APAC ICT Awards. The company has since played a pivotal role in establishing web application firewalls as a critical security layer within the ICT ecosystem.
2019–2024: Advancing Security with Intelligence and Global Recognition
In 2019, WAPPLES introduced a machine learning–based self-inspection feature to further enhance system reliability and security. This feature automatically detects potential issues during operation and either alerts administrators in real time or resolves them autonomously. It also provides continuous updates on system and service status to ensure operational stability and prevent disruptions.
Thanks to its advanced security and ease of management, WAPPLES earned several prestigious global awards in the following years. In 2020, it won the Application Security category at the BIG Fortress Cyber Security Awards, followed by the Best Innovation in Web Application Security at the Global Infosec Awards in 2021. In 2022, WAPPLES became the first Korean solution to be listed in Forrester Research’s Now Tech report for web application firewalls, and in 2024, it was named Web Firewall of the Year by Frost & Sullivan for the second consecutive year—cementing its reputation in the global cybersecurity arena.
In 2023, WAPPLES was selected as a key item in the Service Convergence category of the Industrial Convergence Innovation Awards hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. That same year, it also received the National Service Award in the Cybersecurity category for the first time. Domestically, WAPPLES continues its legacy of leadership, maintaining the No. 1 market share in web firewalls for 17 consecutive years based on Korea’s national procurement platform.
Intelligent WAAP to Protect 700,000 Businesses in 2025
For 20 years since its launch, WAPPLES has been recognized as a leading web security solution in the Asia-Pacific region—delivering exceptional protection with low false positive rates. Its scalability, stability, and high performance have made it a core component of Cloudbric, Penta Security’s SECaaS (Security-as-a-Service) platform. Today, WAPPLES helps secure over 700,000 websites and online infrastructures worldwide.
From its beginnings as an appliance-based product to its current cloud-based SaaS model, WAPPLES has continuously evolved to stay at the forefront of global web security. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Penta Security reaffirms its commitment to building a safer web environment, leveraging decades of trusted security technology and global experience.
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