What combination of tools is best to protect a web server from SQL injection attacks and monitor unusual behavior in a database server?

The combination of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Database Activity Monitoring (DAM) is particularly effective for protecting a web server from SQL injection attacks while also monitoring unusual behavior in a database server.

A WAF acts as a security barrier between web applications and the internet, specifically designed to filter and monitor HTTP traffic to and from a web application. It can detect and block SQL injection attempts, which are common vulnerabilities in web applications. By analyzing the input data and filtering out potentially harmful requests, a WAF significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized data access or manipulation.

On the other hand, Database Activity Monitoring complements the WAF by providing real-time monitoring of database activities. It helps identify and alert on unusual behaviors or anomalies in database queries that could indicate an attack or misuse, including those that were not blocked by the WAF. This combination allows for a layered security approach, where the WAF serves as the initial defense against SQL injection, and the DAM provides ongoing surveillance and alerts regarding potential threats within the database environment.

The other options do have their merits, but they don't address both requirements as effectively. An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) and Intrusion Detection System (IDS) are generally focused on network-level threats rather than application-specific vulnerabilities