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The landscape of cloud-native architectures is rapidly evolving, leading to increased challenges in securing these environments. Traditional security methodologies that rely on static infrastructure and perimeter defenses are often ill-equipped to manage the dynamic and scalable nature of modern cloud systems. Enter cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPPs), a concept defined by Gartner® as a comprehensive security approach that amalgamates various capabilities into a single, unified solution. According to Gartner, CNAPPs offer a tightly integrated set of security and compliance features aimed at safeguarding cloud-native infrastructures and applications.
Development of CNAPP
CNAPPs originated from the integration of two fundamental security functions: cloud workload protection platforms (CWPP) and cloud security posture management (CSPM). CWPP was designed to secure workloads in real-time, identifying vulnerabilities and detecting behavioral anomalies. Conversely, CSPM focuses on pinpointing misconfigurations and enforcing security protocols within cloud settings. As CNAPPs evolved, they expanded beyond these initial functions to include other critical components, such as:
Identity Security – Employing Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM) to manage permissions and mitigate privilege misuse.
Application Security – Utilizing software composition analysis (SCA) and static application security testing (SAST) to find vulnerabilities in both open-source and proprietary code.
API Security – Protecting against threats to APIs, which have emerged as significant attack vectors in cloud environments.
Attack Surface Management – Offering continuous oversight of cloud resources to recognize and address potential security risks.
These diverse capabilities converge to create a comprehensive framework for securing cloud-native applications throughout their lifecycle, from development to deployment.
Tackling Cloud-Specific Security Challenges
Many organizations face hurdles when trying to adapt conventional security tools for their cloud use cases. Most traditional security solutions lack the necessary agility and scalability for today’s ever-changing cloud workloads. The cloud’s transient nature, where resources are quickly created and retired, makes traditional static security measures inadequate.
Furthermore, the distribution of security responsibilities among various teams complicates matters. In the shared responsibility model, while cloud providers are accountable for the security of the underlying infrastructure, organizations must secure their workloads and data. This necessitates a cohesive approach that integrates seamlessly with DevOps processes, embedding security from the outset rather than addressing it post-deployment.
The Importance of CNAPP in Security Operations
Security Operations (SecOps) teams prioritize the need for visibility in their systems. CNAPPs address this concern by offering centralized insights across both cloud and on-premises environments. They extend beyond visibility by implementing automated remediation strategies. Advanced CNAPP solutions utilize behavioral analytics, anomaly detection, and threat intelligence to spot malicious activities and facilitate swift responses.
Moreover, CNAPPs can integrate with security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms to create automated remediation workflows. This integration ensures that security teams can address threats rapidly, preventing potential escalations. Within the larger security infrastructure, CNAPPs can also link with cloud access security brokers (CASBs), next-generation firewalls (NGFWs), and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, creating a unified security strategy.
Facilitating DevSecOps and Early Security Integration
A fundamental principle of modern cloud security is the “shift-left” approach, which emphasizes the importance of introducing security measures early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). CNAPPs aid in this transition by integrating directly into developers’ toolchains, allowing for vulnerability scanning within code repositories and ensuring that Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) templates align with security best practices.
By delivering real-time feedback in integrated development environments (IDEs) and version control systems, CNAPPs empower developers to recognize and rectify security issues prior to production deployment. This proactive approach not only strengthens security but also decreases the time and expense related to addressing vulnerabilities later in the development cycle.
Converging On-Premises and Cloud Security Approaches
For enterprises managing hybrid environments, it is essential to recognize that not all CNAPPs can adequately support these setups. Comprehensive, user-focused CNAPPs acknowledge that applications can reside both on-premises and in the cloud, tailored to the unique needs and strategies of users. Such CNAPPs are capable of bridging the divide between on-premise and cloud security frameworks. Their ability to correlate threat intelligence across different environments allows security teams to apply consistent policies and respond to threats cohesively, even in complex and distributed settings.
The primary objective of CNAPPs is to ensure that organizations view their cloud security as an integral component of their overall security strategy rather than as a standalone function. This approach enables security processes to be continuous and synergistic, aligning seamlessly with contemporary cloud architectures, DevSecOps practices, and overarching enterprise security frameworks.
The Promise of CNAPPs for the Future of Cloud Security
As more organizations migrate to the cloud, the demand for extensive, unified security solutions is increasingly critical. CNAPPs symbolize a significant progression in cloud security, delivering the visibility, automation, and integration essential for addressing current security issues. By consolidating various security functionalities into a single platform, CNAPPs give organizations the power to proactively manage risks, enhance security operations, and synchronize security efforts with the rapid development cycles typical of cloud-native applications.
Furthermore, incorporating CNAPPs into a broader cloud security platform ensures organizations can monitor and protect their assets across hybrid and multi-cloud setups effectively. It is vital that CNAPPs integrate smoothly with cloud networking, web application and API security, and security operations solutions to offer real-time protective measures.
In conclusion, as enterprises strive to secure their multi-cloud and hybrid environments, adopting a CNAPP-centric strategy can significantly contribute to a robust and adaptable security posture.
Learn more about how Lacework FortiCNAPP can revolutionize your approach to cloud security.
1 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
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