Why CNAPP is not enough

Cloud native application protection platforms (CNAPPs) are unified security platforms that consolidate a diverse suite of tools and capabilities into a single solution. 

Widely adopted across industries, the cloud native application protection platform market is projected to reach $19.3 billion by 2027, a CAGR of almost 20% from 2022. These cloud security platforms are often positioned as "all-in-one" or "end-to-end" fortifications for contemporary cloud environments. 

However, a pressing question persists: Are CNAPPs enough? 

The dominant assumption is that CNAPPs can single-handedly tackle all enterprise cloud security requirements. However, enterprises should be aware of some critical CNAPP limitations; these can involve:

• Application security

• Network security

• Policy management

• 
  

Without addressing the cloud security blind spots of CNAPPs, minor vulnerabilities can escalate into significant security and compliance incidents. 

This article dives into the reasons why CNAPPs are so popular, what capabilities they offer, and how companies can transcend their limitations.

CNAPPs are unified and integrated cloud security platforms, promising robust and centralized governance, security, and compliance control and oversight. They’re a captivating option when dealing with complex multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architectures. 

Setting CNAPP limitations aside for a moment, let’s explore what tools and capabilities these popular cloud security platforms feature. 

Cloud security posture management (CSPM)

CSPM tools continuously monitor and scan IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS infrastructure for misconfigurations and risks. They also support triage and remediation of any cloud misconfigurations identified.  

Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM)

CIEM tools are the cloud-native version of identity and access management (IAM) solutions. They detect and mitigate identity-related risks such as overprivileged accounts and subpar password policies.  

Cloud workload protection 

Cloud workload protection solutions monitor cloud-native workloads across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures for threats. Workloads in the cloud may refer to data, applications, serverless functions, containers, or virtual machines. 

But do cloud workload protection tools provide comprehensive runtime security and application security? More on that soon.

External attack surface management (EASM)

EASM tools focus on inventorying, monitoring, and reducing risks across public-facing digital assets. The overall objective of EASM solutions is to minimize the cloud attack surface and reveal blind spots. 

Container and Kubernetes security

Container and Kubernetes security capabilities are crucial components of cloud security platforms, focusing on managing and fortifying containerized applications across multi-cloud environments. 

Vulnerability management

Vulnerability management tools proactively scan cloud layers (workloads, APIs, applications, and data) for misconfigurations like insecure APIs, unencrypted data, and excessive permissions. 

As highlighted above, cloud native application protection platforms are equipped with a diverse and dynamic range of tools. However, risk-ridden cloud security blind spots make these tools insufficient for complete visibility and coverage across complex environments. 

The features covered in the previous section are essential cloud security pillars. Nevertheless, CNAPPs aren't all-encompassing. 

This section examines these cloud native application protection platforms' biggest cloud security blind spots. In other words, why CNAPP is not enough. 

Inadequate hybrid cloud coverage 

One of the biggest cloud security blind spots businesses face? Legacy architecture.

CNAPPs are purpose-built to operate in cloud environments. That means, companies with on-premises or hybrid setups might struggle to achieve interconnected visibility and security—even with strong CSPM or cloud workload protection tools. 

Disproportionate focus on runtime security 

Runtime security is in the CNAPP wheelhouse. However, some cloud security platforms over-emphasize runtime security and lack coverage in the initial stages of application pipelines. 

This incomplete visibility is a major application security vulnerability. Remember: A strong runtime security posture doesn’t make up for subpar application security capabilities. 

Lack of application visibility and context

Modern multi-cloud and hybrid environments are primarily made up of applications. While the term “cloud native application security platform” suggests robust application security, CNAPPs often lack deep visibility into applications and their connectivity flows. 

CNAPP limitations also include a lack of application context: Businesses might know what applications they have, but they may not be able to map broader network security risks to specific applications. 

Incomplete network security

CNAPPs have various features and telemetry capabilities that support cloud network security, but they lack advanced network security controls and tools. 

For example, CNAPPs can’t fine-tune firewalls, conduct deep packet inspections, or establish network traffic rules. 

Subpar API security

Cloud native application protection platforms don’t always have deep API security capabilities. This is an issue, given APIs are an increasingly prevalent attack vector for adversaries. 

Weak API security is an application security vulnerability because without API visibility and context, it’s impossible to map application dependencies and identity misconfigurations. 

Restricted DevSecOps support

CNAPPs can help security teams shift left, but they’re not a comprehensive DevSecOps powerhouse. This is due to many of the above-mentioned deficiencies: fractured application and connectivity visibility, as well as a lack of advanced network security options. 

In complex hybrid cloud architectures, these weaknesses complicate compliance and policy management—and consequently compromise DevSecOps programs.

Cloud native application protection platform components like CSPM and CIEM are critical security pillars, but it’s evident that CNAPP is not enough for businesses today. 

Let’s discuss what additional capabilities you need.

Advanced application security

With applications dominating enterprise IT environments, companies need a cutting-edge application security tool with complete hybrid coverage, as well as connectivity and dependency mapping.  Must-have features include deep application contextualization and the ability to map network risks to specific applications.

Network security posture management (NSPM)  

Achieving visibility, security, and compliance across hybrid networks isn’t straightforward, which is why businesses need a strong NSPM tool.  Top NSPM solutions enable businesses to visualize their network topology and apply unique firewall rules to understand, control, and secure traffic. They also help businesses enforce zero trust tenets like least privilege and network micro-segmentation.

Automated security policy management 

Cloud environments are dynamic and constantly in flux, making policy and configuration management a tricky endeavor.  The initial challenge is designing the right policies, but the bigger complexity is enforcing them consistently without compromising speed or scale. And that’s exactly what the best policy management tools do: Automate every step of the lifecycle, from risk analysis and policy design to implementation and validation. 

Hybrid cloud compliance management 

The underlying challenge across every pillar of cloud security, from API security to safe DevSecOps workflows, is ensuring compliance. Today, enterprises have a labyrinth of regulatory requirements they need to adhere to—from GDPR and SOX to industry-specific regulations like HIPAA. 

You need a compliance tool that can:

• Generate audit-ready reports

• Automatically vet policy change requests against compliance requirements 

• Automatically discover traffic flows

There are multiple benefits that enterprises can unlock by adding additional layers of security, such as those discussed above: 

• Reinforced application security posture: Complete and contextual application visibility across the entire lifecycle 

• Enhanced hybrid cloud governance: Control over hybrid cloud infrastructure, applications, data, security tools, and policies

• Fewer data breaches: Avoidance of the financial, legal, and reputational consequences of suffering data breaches (now featuring an average cost of $4.4 million, according to IBM)

• Stronger compliance posture: Adherence to federal, local, and industry-specific laws and regulations   

• More developer-friendly environments: Streamlined and optimized DevSecOps workflows; high-speed development with zero security compromises

• Boosted cloud performance: Major productivity gains and increased cloud ROI via optimized hybrid cloud governance

To wrap up, it’s time to meet the cloud security platform that can help enterprises plug traditional CNAPP gaps and provide comprehensive hybrid cloud security. 

AlgoSec is a cutting-edge cloud security solution that reinforces every CNAPP pillar while also addressing the most critical CNAPP limitations. 

AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise (ACE) streamlines every aspect of complex hybrid cloud security, including with automated compliance and policy management.

From its emphasis on application visibility and security to zero-touch change management, ACE, along with supporting tools such as AppViz, FireFlow, and Firewall Analyzer, plugs every CNAPP gap and reinforces your overall cloud security posture. 

No, CNAPP is not enough, and enterprises should swiftly adopt an application-centric hybrid cloud security platform like AlgoSec to achieve the additional layers of cloud security needed in today’s threat landscape.

To learn more about how AlgoSec strengthens everything from API security to DevSecOps workflows, and see why over 2,200 companies are already using it, request a demo today.

What are some key CNAPP limitations? 

CNAPP limitations include excessive emphasis on runtime security, incomplete application security and visibility, weak API security, and DevSecOps deficiencies.

What is cloud security posture management (CSPM)?

CSPM tools are security solutions that monitor cloud-native infrastructure for security risks and misconfigurations. 

What is cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM)?

CIEM is a type of cloud security tool that focuses on IAM risks in cloud environments.