Best Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) Tools

Cloud-native cyber security is a group of protocols that users employ to protect themselves while they are working in the cloud. Cloud-native cyber security combines platform, infrastructure security, and continuous application security to create an integrated and comprehensive security plan.

Cloud-native applications are designed specifically for use on the cloud. They take complete advantage of everything that cloud-based tools can offer. Cloud-based applications are applications that were not created for the cloud, but rather were moved onto the cloud after they were created to take advantage of various benefits that the cloud can offer. Cloud-native applications are better equipped to benefit from the security capabilities that CNAPPs can offer than cloud-based applications.

When users employ a CNAPP, they can benefit from a comprehensive list of benefits. These benefits can include:

• Security is provided as a built-in service. Users often worry about being able to protect themselves from digital threats. This often requires them to allocate many resources in order to maintain a high level of protection. CNAPPs protect users through the cloud-native security services that their cloud providers employ without requiring users to take charge of their protection.

• Sophisticated visibility and management capabilities. CNAPPs give users a level of visibility that affords them an awareness of what is going on in every part of the platform. It provides a real-time view that gives users intelligence that can aid in security-based decision-making. They also have sophisticated cloud-native security tools which can reveal trends and help users anticipate future threats before they have the opportunity to become issues.

• Ensure that compliance rules are followed. Cloud platforms come with a built-in minimum level of compliance. Minimum security rules are set so that users never have to actively take measures to ensure that they are in compliance with the rules of their host nation.

• Quickly roll out and implement changes to the security infrastructure. The nature of cloud platforms means that users can keep their security infrastructure up to date with the latest software and patches. When patches are implemented, they automatically take effect across the entire platform. Every update will take effect uniformly independent of user action.

• Data is easily and reliably backed up and recoverable. Cloud providers build in the ability for users to back up their data and keep it safe in the case of a cyber attack or some other incident. This backed up data can easily be recovered when necessary. The levels of backup can be set to meet the level of need. The more critical the data, the more securely it will be backed up.

• Highly secure security architecture. Cloud providers keep their physical infrastructures safe from intrusion by employing many levels of security. They make it so that only authorized personnel have the clearance to access the cloud servers where all of the data is stored. They also keep logs of everyone who accesses the servers so as to keep their clients protected at all times.

• Sophisticated network security capabilities. Included in the suite of security features that CNAPPs offer are several features that give users peace of mind when it comes to safeguarding their networks. Users can configure firewalls that follow the security rules that the user sets. These platforms also allow users to track traffic as it runs through their networks. This traffic is logged and used to develop an analytical understanding of potential threats.

• Protect your data from threats. Cloud infrastructures employ powerful algorithms that encrypt a user's data so that the data cannot be intercepted while in transit or read while in storage. These algorithms restrict access to sensitive data so that only authorized users can access the stored data.

• Gives users the ability to utilize the environment that is best for them. Cloud-native security platforms are highly flexible. Users can run applications from a variety of environment types. They can choose the environment that best meets their needs.

• Detect threats before they can escalate. These cloud platforms use ML algorithms to spot threats and aid in resolving issues before the situation turns critical and does real harm to a network. The ML algorithms also help users preemptively address potential issues before they become a problem.

• Identify areas of potential vulnerability. Cloud-native security solutions help users scan their networks for areas where they may be vulnerable to harm. Any location where the network may be vulnerable is easily identified. The scanning tools also help administrators do triage and treat the areas of greatest concern first.

CNAPPs are cloud-based solutions that come with many powerful features. These features can include:

• Cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools. CSPM tools are software solutions that are designed to scan and detect issues in a user’s network configuration. They allow users to spot vulnerabilities and offer them help to resolve these misconfigurations and strengthen the network’s security architecture.

• Cloud service network security (CSNS) tools. These tools provide network security in real time. One such tool is a web application firewall (WAF). Users can employ these tools to keep themselves safe at all times.

• Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM) tools. These tools give users control over access to their networks. They detect misconfigurations in the network access controls. Anyone who is not meant to have a particular level of access can be easily found and their unauthorized access can be revoked.