One of the repeating themes in my conversations with vendors and experts on the WAF market is the lack of analyst coverage. Such coverage provides an important validation to an emerging market. It also helps to define the market, differentiating it from other market segments. And lastly it makes the corporate buyer's life easier when trying to navigate between all the choices. In short, many feel that the lack of analyst coverage limits the growth potential of the WAF market.

There was some analysts coverage of the WAF market, including a report by the Yankee Group in 2005, coverage by Michael Gavin from Forrester in 2006/7 and lately from Ramon Krikken from the Burton Group. However this research was sporadic and one important name was missing: Gartner. Gartner is probably the leading research firm and has the most profound influence on corporate clients.

The good news is that Gartner has now finally started covering the WAF market. In a recent blog entry, Greg Young from Gartner confirmed that he is now working on a magic quadrant report on the WAF industry scheduled for Q4 2009. Furthermore, Young says that the reason that Gartner is initiating coverage of the WAF market is, in his own words, that "all ... data indicates that the WAF market has solidified and grown sufficiently to warrant an MQ.".

So, all you WAF vendors: pick the phone and call Greg. You would not want to find yourself of the magic quadrant! And if you are a WAF customer: your life may be somewhat easier starting Q4.

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