As businesses seek to remain agile and competitive in an environment that is moving and changing more quickly than ever, security solutions must follow suit to offer advanced capabilities and functionality. Businesses that have adopted cloud-native platforms and techniques to scale and develop growth must likewise consider security measures specifically created for cloud-based applications. Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms, or CNAPP, intuitively address the unique security challenges of cloud-based applications with tailored solutions that help businesses scale through the cloud.
What CNAPP is and how Businesses Can Benefit
CNAPP is a protection platform explicitly designed to ensure compliance and security in cloud-native applications throughout the development and production phases. It consolidates various security functions into one platform, including container and Kubernetes scanning, infrastructure as code (IaC) scanning, cloud workload protection, vulnerability/configuration scanning, and cloud security posture management (CSPM). Rather than taking a siloed security approach, CNAPP offers businesses a more comprehensive solution, addressing security challenges throughout the lifecycle, from development to production.
This comprehensive solution gives organizations greater visibility into security and risks across their cloud infrastructure, allowing them to resolve vulnerabilities efficiently. These platforms provide simplified security audits and can help streamline compliance reviews. CNAPP can reduce the overall number of security tools needed as the platforms offer an integrated solution and end-to-end protection across cloud applications. Businesses can reduce their long-term costs with fewer tools required to provide broad security across cloud-native platforms. A CNAPP can reduce the risk of reputational harm resulting from a security incident.
Industry Relevance and Trends
As more businesses adopt cloud-native applications, the need for security measures to address their specific requirements increases. Organizational leaders and security professionals continue to discuss the challenges of cloud applications and constantly evolving security threats. Changing legislation and compliance updates frequently impact organizational requirements and responsibilities for security and privacy data. With the increased prominence of remote work, businesses have further required the implementation of cloud-native platforms to allow workers secure access regardless of location.
Security solutions must be agile and quickly scalable to address these changes to support growth. Rather than attempting to combine and retool multiple disparate security systems, CNAPP can provide a unified approach that offers comprehensive monitoring across the cloud environment.
Challenges and Best Practices
Implementing a CNAPP is undeniably critical in helping address modern business organizations’ security challenges. While offering enormous benefits, including consolidation of multiple systems and revamping outdated security tools that fail to address the specific requirements of cloud-native applications, implementing a CNAPP is not without its challenges. For one, resistance to change, growing pains, or simply misunderstanding and lack of awareness surrounding CNAPPs can present challenges for organizational leaders attempting to implement these systems.
Even so, there are various best practices that organizational leaders can use to make implementation smoother. Like most organizational changes, providing clear and open communication to all partners and stakeholders is key for successfully implementing a CNAPP system. Review insights from industry leaders and business organizations that have already adopted a CNAPP system to determine what might be an ideal solution. Leaders can help to mollify apprehensive teammates through comprehensive educational efforts that highlight the importance and benefits of these systems. Involving key stakeholders and their teams early in the implementation process can help ensure alignment and a smoother transition. Business leaders should select a reputable CNAPP provider offering consistent support and knowledgeable assistance throughout and after implementation.
Insights and Business Solutions
Addressing modern business challenges can sometimes seem overwhelming, as scaling requires enhanced solutions for growth and security attacks become more sophisticated. With greater cloud adoption, organizational leaders must continue to meet the moment with solutions that work with these technological advancements.
Just as cloud platforms are the future of work, CNAPPs are the future of securing that work. Business leaders can confidently enter the future by using these systems and partnering with the right experts.
