Top 10 Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP) in 2023

A cloud workload protection platform (CWPP) shields cloud workloads from a range of threats like malware, ransomware, DDoS attacks, cloud misconfigurations, insider threats, and data breaches.

CWPP solutions offer uniform visibility and management for physical computers, virtual machines (VMs), containers, and serverless applications, helping to protect resources optimized to run in a cloud-based application or service.

In addition to boosting visibility and control over cloud workloads, utilizing a CWPP enables enterprises to strengthen their security posture and lower the risk of data breaches and other security events. We’ll take an in-depth look at the top CWPP solutions, followed by buying considerations for those in the market for a cloud workload protection platform.

Here's an overview of CWPP solutions, including their supported platforms, key features, alert generation, machine learning, free trial availability, and pricing.

Best for AWS service users

Amazon GuardDuty is a cloud security solution that detects threats to your AWS services using machine learning. It continuously monitors your Amazon Web Services accounts and workloads and provides comprehensive security findings for visibility and mitigation.

GuardDuty combines machine learning, anomaly detection, network monitoring, and malicious file identification with AWS and third-party sources to help safeguard workloads and data on AWS. GuardDuty collects data from a variety of sources, including AWS CloudTrail logs, VPC Flow Logs, DNS Logs, Amazon S3 Logs, Amazon EC2 Logs, and AWS Config. Data is collected in near real time, which allows GuardDuty to detect threats quickly. It then uses machine learning to analyze the data that it collects. GuardDuty generates alerts for any potential threats that it identifies. These alerts are sent to the user so that they can investigate and take action to remediate any security issues if there is a legitimate threat.

Best for unified cloud workload protection

CloudGuard is a fully automated, and comprehensive cloud-native workload security solution offered by Check Point. From development to runtime, it enables unified visibility, compliance, and threat prevention across apps, APIs, and microservices including K8s containers and serverless operations.

CloudGuard Workload Protection also includes a comprehensive range of capabilities such as vulnerability monitoring, network security, compliance management, and advanced threat intelligence. Its compatibility with many cloud platforms, as well as its robust security features, make it an excellent solution for enterprises looking for full cloud workload protection.

See the Top Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Solutions

Best for advanced micro-segmentation capabilities

Illumio Core stands out as a strong CWPP solution, with extensive micro-segmentation capabilities, workload visibility, and real-time threat detection. It is an ideal option for enterprises wanting enhanced cloud workload protection because of its ability to provide granular security management, adapt to dynamic workloads, and simplify visibility. While there is a learning curve and some integration issues to consider, the benefits of greater security and streamlined management make Illumio Core a valuable solution for safeguarding cloud workloads in dynamic contexts.

Best for Azure integrations

Microsoft Defender for Cloud combines advanced threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and adaptive security measures designed specifically for Azure workloads. Its native Azure integration, real-time threat intelligence, and adaptive security rules make it an excellent solution for enterprises looking for powerful cloud workload protection within the Azure ecosystem. While Microsoft Defender for Cloud's concentration on Azure and deployment complexity may necessitate additional considerations, the benefits of leveraging Microsoft's experience and integrated security capabilities make it an appealing alternative for securing cloud workloads.

Best for advanced cloud configuration capabilities

Orca Security provides superior cloud configuration security, vulnerability management, and complete visibility across many cloud platforms. Its deep cloud visibility, agentless methodology, and continuous monitoring capabilities make it an appealing option for enterprises looking for comprehensive cloud workload protection. While there is a learning curve and limited network layer visibility, the advantages of better security, vulnerability management, and compliance monitoring make Orca Security an appealing solution for efficiently securing your cloud workloads.

Also read: 13 Cloud Security Best Practices for 2023

Best for DevOps integration and container security

Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma Cloud offers full cloud security, container security, compliance monitoring, and data loss prevention. Its strong DevOps integration, container security capabilities, and all-encompassing cloud protection make it a strong solution for enterprises looking for superior cloud workload security. While it may be more complex in smaller environments, the benefits of full cloud security and container protection make Prisma Cloud an appealing solution for safeguarding both cloud workloads and containerized environments.

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Best for advanced automation capabilities

Singularity Cloud by SentinelOne focuses on simplifying runtime detection and response of cloud VMs, containers, and Kubernetes clusters for maximum visibility, security, and agility. Singularity Cloud protects against emerging cyber threats with its AI-driven strategy, scalability, and intelligent automation. The benefits of powerful threat detection, adaptive security controls, and comprehensive visibility make Singularity Cloud an appealing solution for properly safeguarding your cloud workloads, especially for organizations looking for an AI-powered CWPP solution with enhanced threat detection, adaptive security controls, and full visibility across cloud environments.

Best for its user-friendly interface

Sophos Cloud Workload Protection offers efficient cloud workload protection for enterprises of all sizes through its user-friendly interface, comprehensive security features, and integration capabilities. While advanced customization possibilities are restricted and integration issues exist, Sophos Cloud Workload Protection is a tempting alternative for efficiently securing your cloud workloads due to the benefits of streamlined management, strong security capabilities, and timely threat intelligence.

Best for hybrid cloud environments

Trend Micro Deep Security protects cloud workloads through its expanded security features, deep visibility, and automated compliance processes. While it may be more difficult to implement in smaller environments, the benefits of its robust security, real-time threat intelligence, and automated compliance management make Trend Micro Deep Security a compelling choice for those seeking enhanced cloud security.

Trend Micro Deep Security provides complete workload security across hybrid cloud environments such as private and public clouds. The platform's advanced security capabilities, such as host-based intrusion prevention, firewall, anti-malware, and vulnerability management, can be systematically integrated across numerous cloud environments, ensuring consistent protection and compliance. Trend Micro Deep Security also offers centralized visibility and administration, allowing businesses to safeguard and monitor their hybrid cloud workloads from a single interface. Its adaptability and support for hybrid cloud architectures make it a good choice for businesses that utilize a mix of deployment methodologies.

Best for virtualized environments

VMware Carbon Black Workload provides comprehensive protection for enterprises looking to protect their workloads thanks to its granular application control, real-time threat prevention capabilities, and seamless integration with the VMware ecosystem. The scalability and flexibility of VMware Carbon Black Workload make it well-suited for virtualized environments that frequently demand dynamic resource allocation and administration. It can adapt to changing virtualized workload demands and integrates simply into existing virtualization infrastructure.

Carbon Black Workload's key features, such as application management, real-time attack protection, and file integrity monitoring, make it an excellent choice for organizations looking for strong security and application control in their virtualized environments, as it provides comprehensive protection for virtual machines while also assisting in the security and integrity of the entire virtualized infrastructure.

Cloud workload protection platforms typically include a number of features for protecting cloud workloads, assets and data. These include:

To enable seamless security management and protection across cloud workloads, CWPP products integrate with multiple cloud platforms and services such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This connection improves visibility, administration, and security control over cloud-deployed workloads. It enables businesses to use native cloud security services and APIs to ensure complete security and streamline security operations.

This feature lets security teams detect and mitigate security breaches, conduct forensic analysis, and collect evidence for investigations. Among these capabilities are: real-time alerting, threat intelligence integration, and incident management workflows.

Data security is a crucial component of any CWP platform. To protect data from unwanted access, exfiltration, or data leakage, a good CWP platform should include features such as encryption, data loss prevention (DLP), and access controls. These safeguarding measures ensure that data is secure at all times, both at rest and in transit, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.

Workload visibility is essential for effective security management. CWPP tools should offer comprehensive visibility into workloads running in the cloud. Insights about workload configuration, software inventory, network connections, and user access permissions are all part of this. This visibility enables security teams to monitor and detect anomalies, illegal activity, and potential security threats, boosting their capacity to respond to and mitigate risks as soon as possible.

Automation is a significant element of CWP platforms, allowing security teams to reduce time by automating repetitive processes such as vulnerability scanning and incident response procedures, as well as providing unified security policy administration. Automation reduces manual labor, accelerates security operations, and maintains consistent security across workloads. It also enables enterprises to respond quickly to security problems and maintain a solid security posture.

Compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements is critical for organizations. This includes capabilities like security configuration assessments, auditing, and reporting to guarantee that security and compliance regulations are followed. This aids in the monitoring and enforcement of security measures, the generation of compliance reports, and the facilitation of audits.

Choosing the best cloud workload protection platform software for your business requires careful consideration of a number of factors. By carefully examining these components and conducting rigorous assessments, you will choose the CWPP product that aligns with your business needs and best meets your company's cloud workload protection requirements.

A CWPP (cloud workload protection platform) is a security system designed specifically to protect cloud workloads. It provides comprehensive security controls and capabilities to protect cloud workloads from a wide range of attacks, vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access.

A CWPP tool provides capabilities like workload visibility, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, and data security to help protect cloud workloads from threats, vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access. Using a CWPP solution can help you improve your overall security posture and ensure consistent security across cloud platforms and hybrid environments.

The short answer is yes. While cloud providers offer native security services, a CWPP solution can add an extra layer of security, customization, and management tailored to your specific workload security needs. It ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to securing cloud workloads, mitigating risks, and protecting critical assets thus providing you a holistic security management. Cloud security issues often involve misconfigurations and vulnerabilities in the way users connect to the cloud – controlling these risks is the essence of cloud security.

Also read: Zero Trust: Can It Be Implemented Outside the Cloud?

We looked for top CWPPs that provide the best possible combination of security features, scalability, ease of use, integration and support, automation, and compliance, as well as price, reputation, and client feedback. We analyzed CWPP vendors using multiple data points and product features, including sources such as vendor documentation, analyst reports, security data and user reviews.

The cloud security shared responsibility model means users have more responsibility for security than they may realize. While cloud services providers have a strong record when it comes to cybersecurity, misconfigurations and mistakes by users are typically the source of cloud data breaches. Hardening workload protections and connections is the fastest way to improved cloud security.

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