Cloud computing has changed the way business operates. They have introduced a new layer of ease in capturing and storing data but with this ease, it has also introduced a new layer of complexity and vulnerabilities to cyber security. As more and more threats are aimed at cloud environments, organizations require strong solutions to protect their infrastructure and apps. Three significant cloud security technologies came into picture.
Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP), Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP), and Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). It is vital to understand the differences between CNAPP vs CSPM vs CWPP in order to choose the right solution specific to your organization’s needs.
In this blog, we will try to understand the difference between CNAPP vs CWPP vs CSPM, their distinct functions, and how they leverage one another as part of a comprehensive security posture.
What is CNAPP Security?
A Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) is a set of security tools that protects the entire lifecycle of cloud-native applications. Instead of being single-purpose tools, CNAPP cloud security brings together workload protection, posture management and runtime security into a cohesive platform. This makes it possible for organizations to surface vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance issues in real time and securing workloads and applications for the complete lifecycle.
Key Features of CNAPP
Fidelis Halo® is the only complete CNAPP solution covering the entire lifecycle of your cloud-native applications. Fidelis Halo® with integrated security, pre-emptive vulnerability management, and in-line runtime protection protects your applications in hybrid and multi-clouds. One unified platform that brings it all together; to stay ahead of threats and minimize risks.
What is CWPP Security?
Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) refers to a security solution that safeguards workloads across various cloud hosting environments, including public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud platform. CWPP security provides protection for workloads such as virtual machines, containers, serverless functions and more. Its workload-centric approach to threat detection, vulnerability management and compliance provides a way to address those challenges with a workload-focus. CWPP works on the infrastructure layer, protecting assets regardless of the cloud architecture under it.
Key Features of CWPP
Choose Fidelis Server Secure™ to provide your cloud environment advanced, workload-based protection. This solution aims to protect critical workloads be it VMs, containers or serverless functions from runtime threats and vulnerabilities. Fidelis Server Secure™ delivers continuous scanning, prompt threat detection and integrated workload protection to the cloud that keeps your assets secure and minimizes risk for any cloud environment.
What is CSPM Security?
Cloud security posturing management (CSPM) is a service used to identify and fix security threats across cloud technologies. Its main focus is on compliance with security and governance standards of cloud environments like GDPR, HIPAA, CIS benchmarks, etc., by monitoring configurations on a continuous basis and scanning them to identify potential misconfigurations or vulnerabilities.
CSPM security correlates at configuration and ensures that no breach is a result of human errors, policy violations, and mismanagement. CSPM is an important element of keeping secure cloud infrastructure running, able to provide insights into the security for gaps and noncompliance issues.
Key Features of CSPM
Fidelis Security CSPM solution helps organizations prevent security risks in their cloud infrastructure by ensuring continuous compliance and risk management practices. Fidelis Cloud Secure™ is the one-cloud-native comprehensive CSPM solution that keeps your cloud environment secure and compliant. It identifies real-time misconfigurations, policy violations, and noncompliance risks by monitoring and assessing cloud-wide configurations continuously.
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CNAPP Vs CSPM Vs CWPP: Key Differences
The table below highlights the essential points of comparison among CNAPP vs CSPM vs CWPP.
| Feature | CNAPP | CSPM | CWPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | Provide an integrated security platform for cloud-native applications across their lifecycle. | Identify, monitor, and remediate misconfigurations in cloud environments. | Protect cloud workloads (e.g., VMs, containers) from threats and vulnerabilities. |
| Key Capabilities | Combines CWPP, CSPM, runtime protection, and compliance into one platform. | Continuous posture management, compliance reporting, and remediation recommendations. | Vulnerability scanning, runtime protection, and threat detection for workloads. |
| Attack Vectors |
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| Threats Covered |
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| Best For | Organizations looking for an all-in-one security solution for cloud-native applications. | Businesses focusing on securing cloud configuration and ensuring compliance. | Teams aiming to protect specific workloads (e.g., containers or VMs) in a cloud environment. |
| Scope | Broad coverage across cloud applications, workloads, and environments. | Limited to security posture and governance in cloud configurations. | Specialized in workload protection irrespective of the underlying cloud or data center. |
| Proactive/Reactive | Both proactive (risk mitigation) and reactive (runtime threat detection). | Primarily proactive in addressing misconfigurations and non-compliance issues. | Primarily reactive, focusing on detecting and mitigating workload-level threats in runtime |
| Compliance Support | In-depth, unified compliance and monitoring throughout the application lifecycle. | Focused on identifying and fixing compliance violations. | Supports workload-specific compliance without encompassing broader environments. |
| Integration | Combines CSPM, CWPP, and additional features into one unified platform. | Integrates with cloud providers for posture and compliance management. | Typically, standalone but integrates well with CNAPP for broader coverage. |
You can refer to the table above even if you are trying to differentiate between CNAPP vs CSPM or CNAPP vs CWPP. This table will help you understand which solutions your business requires and once you reach the conclusion and look for the CSPM, CWPP, or CNAPP cloud security vendor then you don’t have to look beyond Fidelis Security. Let’s see what makes Fidelis Security the best CNAPP cloud security solution in the industry.
Why Choose Fidelis Cloud Security?
Fidelis Cloud Security enables complete protection across all environments (and the applications and data running in them). Whether it’s protecting workloads with Fidelis Server Secure™, defending cloud-native applications with Fidelis Halo®, or ensuring compliance with Fidelis Cloud Secure™, Fidelis provides real-time threat detection, vulnerability management, and automated remediation as part of an integrated solution.
Key Benefits
- Unified security platform for hybrid, multi-cloud environments.
- Real-time threat monitoring and vulnerability management.
- Automated remediation for rapid response.
- Strong compliance monitoring for industry standards (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).
- Scalable, adaptable solutions for evolving cloud environments.
Discover the Future of Cloud Security with Fidelis Halo®
Why settle for less when you can have it all? Fidelis Halo® offers:
- Real-time security for cloud environments
- Automated protection for servers and containers
- Continuous compliance for hassle-free audits
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the difference between CNAPP vs CSPM?
CNAPP provides a complete security solution which integrates CSPM, CWPP, and runtime protection, in contrast CSPM concentrates on detecting and correcting cloud misconfigurations and compliance-related security problems.
What is the difference between CNAPP vs CWPP?
CNAPP cloud security refers to a single solution for application lifecycle security that includes both runtime protection and posture management. On the other hand, CWPP specializes in protecting cloud workloads like containers and VMs from runtime threats and vulnerabilities.
Can CNAPP replace CWPP or CSPM entirely?
CNAPP combines both CWPP and CSPM features, but more than those, therefore, this is a much wider solution. That said, some organizations will likely continue to use standalone CSPM or CWPP tools based on their needs.
