Top 10 Cloud Security Tools in 2024

Cloud growth continues with domains like the cloud storage market expected to grow ~3x from 2023 to 2029. ¹With the majority of enterprises relying mostly on the cloud, cloud security is almost synonymous with cybersecurity.

Therefore cloud security includes a broad range of categories. Focusing on the right categories can help businesses prioritize their cloud security. This article provides an overview of leading cloud security tools, comparing their main features and how they overcome common security challenges, helping businesses prioritize cloud security solutions.

Types of top 10 Cloud Security Tools

Table notes:

Type*: AIMultiple outlined the key cloud security areas and identified top vendors above.

• Tufin: Specializes in Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM).
• Astra’s Pentest: Primarily focused on cloud vulnerability management (CVM) and can also be considered a part of the CWPP (Cloud Workload Protection Platform).
• Commvault: It provides a holistic solution, including a range of capabilities not confined to a singular type.
• CAST: HCL AppScan 360 falls under the category of a Cloud Application Security Testing tool, including elements from cloud vulnerability management, Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), and Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP).
• Fortinet: Provides solutions for Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB).
• Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks: cloud security tool that falls under several categories.
• SentinelOne: Offers a wide range of security features, which makes it challenging to categorize it into a single type of security tool.
• SSE: Security Service Edge (SSE) integrates security services to provide secure access and data protection across web and cloud applications.
• CASB: Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a security policy enforcement that provides a central location for policy enforcement.
• CNAPP: Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) offers an integrated approach to securing cloud-native applications, including Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP), Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management and (CIEM).

What is a cloud security tool?

A cloud security tool is a software designed to protect cloud-based systems and data. Cloud security solutions provide functionalities such as data encrypting, threat detection and response, and managing access and identities to reduce the vulnerabilities inherent in cloud computing environments.

Importance of security in the cloud environment

For instance, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a newer measure in cloud security, integrating Wide Area Networking (WAN) features with cloud-native security functions. SASE adopts a cloud-centric strategy for networking and security, catering to the secure connectivity requirements of organizations’ mobile employees and cloud resources.

Types of cloud security tools

Cloud security tools can be categorized based on the specific threats and systems they address, as well as the security functions they carry out.

1. Based on threats and systems: Certain cloud security tools are specialized to safeguard specific cloud-hosted systems, like databases, or to defend against specific threats, including malware, DDoS attacks, or phishing incidents.
2. Based on security functions: Preventive tools are designed to stop security incidents before they happen, and include solutions like encryption software and firewalls. Detective tools, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, are geared towards spotting and notifying of potential security breaches. Following the detection of a threat, responsive tools, such as automated remediation software or disaster recovery plans, kick in to address and mitigate the impact of security incidents.
3. Complementary: These tools assist enterprises in adhering to regulatory requirements and internal policies through the use of tools like Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies, and network security solutions. IAM systems allow for the administration of user identities and the regulation of resource access according to roles. Meanwhile, network security tools, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Secure Web Gateways (SWGs), and Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs), safeguard the transmission of data across networks.

What features are essential when selecting a cloud security solution?

• Data encryption: Encryption plays a vital role in safeguarding the confidentiality of sensitive data, whether it’s stored or being transferred. Data encryption at rest secures information stored in cloud databases and storage systems. Meanwhile, encryption in transit ensures the safety of data as it travels across networks. Essential elements of this protection strategy include the use of Transport Layer Security (TLS), end-to-end encryption, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
• Identity and access management (IAM): IAM ensures that only permitted users can reach designated resources in an organization’s cloud environment. These systems often employ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and enable users to utilize a single set of credentials to access various applications or services.
• Cloud security posture management (CSPM): CSPM focuses on detecting and addressing potential risks arising from improper setups in cloud infrastructures and maintaining adherence to regulatory standards. CSPM solutions provide continuous cloud security monitoring, scrutinizing cloud settings to pinpoint setup errors that may result in security gaps. Their purpose is to ensure compliance with regulations, like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, through continuous monitoring for any security vulnerabilities.
• Data loss prevention (DLP): DLP is a set of tools and procedures designed to prevent unauthorized external transmission of sensitive data from the organization network or cloud infrastructure.
• Network security: Network security solutions focus on safeguarding data’s integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Essential elements in cloud network security include Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Secure Web Gateways (SWGs), Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs), and Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS).

10 Best cloud security solutions

1. Tufin

Tufin is a security policy automation, offering end-to-end visibility, streamlined policy management, and mitigation of across hybrid cloud environments. The network security policy management platform also offers a unified solution for cloud security, enabling the design, execution, and monitoring of security policies for cloud networks through a single, integrated interface.

Key features:

• Cross-environment visibility: Tufin’s cloud security posture management and automation tools protect cloud assets, and manage compliance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• Segmentation and microsegmentation: Tufin’s platform provides capabilities for organizations to oversee and implement micro-segmentation strategies across various network environments, including physical, virtual, and hybrid networks.
• Application connectivity management: The feature of Application Connectivity Management within Tufin’s platform allows users to control and manage the flow of traffic between applications.
• Continuous compliance monitoring: Tufin’s cloud security solution leverages a central console for the ongoing monitoring and management of security protocols. This console acts as a comprehensive control hub for various network components, including traditional firewalls and router setups, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architectures, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) models, and both hybrid and multi-cloud configurations.

2. Astra’s Pentest

Astra, a SaaS provider focused on cloud security, delivers Astra’s Pentest, a solution offering real-time insight and management capabilities for application and network traffic. This feature empowers security teams to quickly identify and address potential threats. Additionally, Astra’s Pentest assigns vulnerabilities among team members, streamlining the process of fixing security issues.

Key features:

• Vulnerability scanner: Astra’s scanning tool conducts over 8000 checks, covering a broad spectrum of security vulnerabilities, including the identification of well-known CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures), the OWASP Top 10 security risks, and the SANS Top 25 software errors. The scanner examines content accessible through login credentials to ensure comprehensive security coverage of your application’s various components.
• Manual VAPT by security analysts: Security analysts conduct manual examinations of assets to uncover vulnerabilities that might not be detected by automated scanning tools.
• Compliance checks: Astra’s Pentest includes compliance checks tailored to help organizations meet the requirements for ISO 27001, HIPAA, SOC2, and GDPR compliance.

3. Commvault

Commvault is an automated cloud cloud security solution that automates data protection tasks including backup, recovery, and management of cloud infrastructure. It also addresses data retention and compliance needs. The platform is particularly tailored for hybrid environments. ​

Key features:

• Protecting virtualized platforms: Commvault’s Command Center is compatible with an extensive array of virtualized environments, covering major cloud platforms like Alibaba Cloud, Amazon EC2, Google Cloud Platform. Additionally, it supports on-premises and hybrid setups, including Citrix Hypervisor and VMware, as well as container technologies like Kubernetes.
• Application-based and application-aware backups: Application-aware backups ensure the integrity of application data during backup by capturing its state at that moment. This functionality supports Linux VMs running Oracle and Windows VMs.
• Threat analysis: Commvault’s Threat Scan employs a signature-based scanning engine to examine backup files and network share file system backups for potential malware infections.

4. HCL AppScan 360

HCL’s AppScan 360 is a cloud-based security platform tailored for web applications and services, offering features like integration with DevOps tools and IDEs (integrated development environments, automatic scanning configurations, and static analysis (SAST).

Key features:

• Static Analysis (SAST): Involves analyzing the source code of applications and APIs to identify potential vulnerabilities at any stage of the development cycle.
• Integration with CI/CD and IDEs: Provides integration with CI/CD pipelines and IDEs, streamlining the inclusion of security assessments within the software development workflow.

5. Fortinet

Fortinet’s cybersecurity offerings cover areas like network security, cloud protection, application safeguarding, secure access, and endpoint defense. The company provides various cloud security solutions designed to work seamlessly with leading cloud service providers.

Key features:

• Integrated protection: Offers protection across different cloud service models, such as Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).
• Application layer security controls: Protect web applications and APIs against a wide range of cyber threats, such as malicious bots and security threats outlined in the OWASP Top 10.

6. Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks

Prisma Cloud is a cloud security platform that offers code-to-cloud security across cloud environments. Prisma Cloud delivers capabilities to evaluate and prioritize vulnerabilities based on the specific risks they pose to the environment, enabling effective remediation strategies across different applications such as virtual machines, containers, Kubernetes, serverless platforms, and open-source software.

Key features:

• Code to cloud visibility: Prisma Cloud offers security capabilities, including Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM), and Container Security.
• Blobstore scanning: Inspects storage blobs (unstructured data files stored in cloud services) within cloud environments for vulnerabilities.
• CI/CD integration: Prisma Cloud integrates with CI/CD pipelines, enabling the examination of Git repositories, container images, AMIs, and serverless functions as part of the CI/CD process.
• Software composition analysis (SCA): This functionality utilizes context-aware prioritization to tackle issues related to open-source software vulnerabilities and adherence to license requirements​.

7. Singularity Complete by SentinelOne

Singularity Complete serves as a cybersecurity solution tailored for enterprises, including a wide array of digital security facets such as endpoint protection, cloud security, and identity safeguarding. This platform stands out for its capabilities in Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR), catering to the diverse security needs of modern organizations.

Key features:

• Patented storyline: This technology enables recognition and examination of all connected processes, files, threads, and events through the allocation of a Storyline ID to groups of associated events.
• EDR and XDR features: SentinelOne’s Singularity Complete platform enhances its Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) capabilities by offering detailed insights into endpoint operations and streamlining the processes of detecting, analyzing, and neutralizing threats.

8. Forcepoint ONE

Forcepoint ONE is an all-in-one cloud security platform that combines Zero Trust principles with Security Service Edge (SSE) frameworks. The platform is designed to support cybersecurity measures by employing features such as intelligent Remote Browser Isolation (RBI), Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) for cleansing files, and proactive defenses against emergent threats through zero-day sandboxing techniques.

Key features:

• Agentless DLP (Data Loss Prevention) security: Prevent the unauthorized transfer of sensitive information across cloud services, web platforms, and private applications.
• Identity-based access: Implement measures to ensure that users have access only to the necessary resources for their roles, which is crucial for reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized entries.
• Scalability: Forcepoint ONE leverages the infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS), offering enterprise-level service quality.

9. Cisco Cloudlock

Cisco Cloudlock operates as a cloud-native cloud access security broker (CASB) that protects cloud-based applications, data, and users. This cloud-native platform is designed to facilitate secure adoption of cloud services, ensuring the safety and compliance of cloud environments.

Key features:

• Data loss prevention (DLP) technology: Scans cloud ecosystems to identify and safeguard confidential data.
• Cloudlock Apps Firewall: Detects and manages cloud applications connected to a company’s network, empowering businesses to decide which applications to authorize and which to prohibit.

10. Orca Security

Orca Security specializes in delivering security measures for cloud environments, focusing on managing security postures, safeguarding containers, and protecting cloud workloads. Their SideScanning technology empowers organizations to perform extensive scans across their entire cloud infrastructure.

Key features:

• Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Conducts ongoing monitoring for any misconfigurations, policy breaches, and compliance threats within cloud environments. It evaluates potential security threats by their severity. Orca visually maps out possible intrusion routes, offering step-by-step insights into each vulnerability along the path.
• Multi-cloud compliance: Maintains security and compliance in multiple cloud environments involves aligning them with predefined security protocols and regulatory requirements across various platforms.
• Shift left security: Incorporates security practices early into the development and design stages, the goal is to uncover and rectify any potential vulnerabilities before the final stages of development.

Further reading

• Scaling Cloud Security Through Automation in 2024
• Top 7 Best Practices For Hybrid Cloud Automation
• Network Security Automation: Tips & Techniques in 2024

For guidance on choosing the right solution, get in touch with us:

External Links

• 1. Taylor, P. (Aug 2, 2023). “Size of the cloud storage market worldwide from 2022 to 2030“. Statista